Vasilios Karidis - an average Kytherian immigrant with a story to tell

Vasilios Karidis was born on February 21, 1911, in Milopotamos, Kythera. However, he believed his birth date was March 17, 1911. He was the fourth of five children, born to Panagitois Karidis, a carpenter, and Kalomira Karidi. Vasilios was baptized on February 27, 1911, at Agios Athanasios church in Milopotamos, Kythera.

Physical characteristics of Vasilios included black hair, brown eyes, a scar over his right eyebrow, and a vaccination mark on his left forearm. He was 5'7" tall and had a square build.

From 1924 to 1927 Vasilios attended school in Chora. He studied subjects such as Greek, new Greek, French, physics, mathematics, religion, history, geography, natural history, calligraphy, and iconography. Each year his results were 6 out of 10 which was considered good.

Basile in 1939 - NAA: BP25/1, KARYDIS B GREEK

Basile's thumbprints - NAA: BP25/1, KARYDIS B GREEK

Signature of Basile - NAA: BP25/1, KARYDIS B GREEK

He immigrated to Brisbane, Queensland, Australia on February 21, 1939, aboard the P.O. Strathallan, where he was known as Basile Karidis or Carydis. He registered as an alien on September 26, 1939, in Ipswich, Queensland, Australia. Upon his arrival he was living in Ipswich, Queensland, Australia and working as a cook at the City Cafe.

Basile lived in various locations in Queensland. In 1940, he was living in Esk and in October of that year, he was living in Dalby. In March 1941, he was living in Darra, and in September 1941, he was living in Bundaberg and working for C. Londy.

Vasile enlisted in WWII on June 17, 1942, in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia and served in the 1 Army Trades Training Depot. He was discharged on November 30, 1943.

Basile from his war enlistment in 1942 - NAA: B884, Q137397

On May 20, 1944, Basile was working as a cafe proprietor at the Majestic Cafe in Maryborough, Queensland, Australia. In 1949, he was the proprietor of the Arctic Cafe in Yeppoon, Queensland, Australia.

Basile in 1949 - NAA: BP25/1, KARYDIS B GREEK

Unfortunately, Vasilios' death location and date have not been found. May his memory be eternal.

Bibliography

Kytherian Local Archives, uncatalogued British period folders,1825-1864 containing school records, merchant licences, ship quarantine, refugee catalogues, angaria records, Chora Kythera, accessed, 20 August 2017 and 3 September 2018.

National Archives of Australia

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, www.familysearch.org

www.kytheriangenealogy.com