KNOPKA, John Andrew
| Service Number: | 1053 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 6 January 1902, Adelaide South Australia |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 2nd Battalion, Australian Commonwealth Horse |
| Born: | Clare, South Australia, 26 December 1882 |
| Home Town: | Wattle Flat, Yankalilla, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Farm Labourer |
| Died: | Heart Attack, Kojonup, Western Australia, Australia., 14 March 1967, aged 84 years |
| Cemetery: |
Kojonup Cemetery, Kojonup Shire, Western Australia In the Methodist section next to his wife Edith Albertina Knopka (born Capper) Kojonup W.A. |
| Memorials: |
Boer War Service
| 1 Oct 1899: | Involvement Private, 1053, 2nd Battalion, Australian Commonwealth Horse | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan 1902: | Involvement Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Private, 1053, 2nd Battalion, Australian Commonwealth Horse | |
| 6 Jan 1902: | Enlisted Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Adelaide South Australia |
John Andrew Knopka, 1882-1967
John Andrew Knopka was born on December 26 1882,in Seven Hill nr. Clare SA, to Francis Xavier Konopka and Franciska Konopka (born Weimann).
Franics was born on November 21 1849, in Nowe Kramsko, Poland.
Franciska was born on March 5 1850,in Babimost, zielonogorski, Lubusz Voivodeship, Poland.
John had 8 siblings: Thomas Mary Konopka, James (Jacob) Konopka, Anne Zackschewski (born Konopka), Joseph James Konopka, Elizabeth Konopka, Leo Konopka, Francis Stephen Konopka and Victoria Thomas Matthews (born Konopka).
John married Edith Albertina Knopka (born Capper) on June 6 1910, at age 27 in Katanning, West Australia..
Edith was born on March 1 1884, in Yankallia,South Australia..
They had 5 children: Linda Ruby Mercer (born Knopka), William Francis Knopka. Mavis Brackenbury (born Knopka), Thelma May Corlete (born Knopka) and Mildred Edith Harrison (born Knopka).
John passed away on March 14 1967, at age 84 in Kojonup, West Australia..
He was buried on March 15 1967, in Kojonup, Cemertry, West Australia..
Submitted 6 April 2015 by Francis Knopka
Biography contributed by Geoffrey Gillon
John served as a Private (Service No. 1053) with the 2nd Battalion, Australian Commonwealth Horse, A.I.F.
Biography
John Andrew Knopka ( JAK ) 1882-1967 was one of 9 children born to Polish immigrant parents in South Aust. The childrens early life was very harsh & sad , so JAK led people to believe he was an orphan.
When he was about 26 he came to West Aust. to cut timber for the railway between Katanning & Boyup Brook. He took up a conditional block near Muradup & lived in a tent while stripping Mallet bark. Later JAK was appointed caretaker at "Brookdale" farm .
Early in the 1900's he returned to S.A to bring back his future wife , Edith Albertina Capper & they married in Katanning in 1910.That same year JAK & Edith selected a farm on Collie Road called " Calenso " where they raised 5 children. Their schooling was done by correspondence until the Boilup School opened in 1924.
Around 1936 the farm was sold to the Pederick's, so JAK & Edith retired into Kojonup where several acre's were bought. Land on both sides of Katanning Road were aquired with portions being sold off to fellow Polish migrants. The acre at 47-49 Katanning Road was kept & now owned by their grandson .
In his retirement JAK bought & sold 2nd hand furniture . He was a very honest man who kept to himself a lot & was prone to day's of melancholy. Of Catholic religion , he supported the local church & had Edith provide many cake's etc for church fete's . Edith was well known for her cooking.
JAK died at his home of a heart attack in 1967 , followed by Edith in 1971
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