Alfred George Allanson
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 27 Dec 1871 |
| Place of Birth | Deniliquin, New South Wales |
| Death | 3 Sep 1954, aged 82 |
| Place of Death | North Perth, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 43 years, 6 months |
| Description |
5'5½" (1.66m) tall ; 142 lbs 64.41 kg ; fresh complexion ; grey eyes ; grey hair |
| Occupation | Saddler |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Address | NOK 7 Emmerson street, Leederville, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Wife , Mrs Isabella Ann Allanson |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 2817 |
| Date of Enlistment | 17 Jul 1916 |
| Rank | Saddler Sergeant |
| Unit/Formation | March 1917 reinforcements, posted to 4th Battalion, Camel Corps. |
| Date of Embarkation | 22 May 1917 ‒ 20 Jun 1917 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A42 Boorara |
| Date of Return | 4 Mar 1919 ‒ 31 Mar 1919 |
| Ship Returned On | HMAT A15 Port Sydney |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Monument |
Jarrahdale Honour Roll ANZAC Memorial Park (Byford) |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
Married Isabella Ann Allen on 15 Apr 1903 in Kanowna, Western Australia. Son John Aubrey born 22 May 1908 (d. 1967) Electoral Roll entries - 1906 - 1910 publican at Isabella street, Kanowna with Isabella Ann; 1910 saddler at Moora; 1916 at No 6 Mill, Jarrahdale
War Service
Entered Blackboy Hill camp on 17 Jul 1916, and a fortnight later was earmarked for the 18th reinforcement draft for the 28th Battalion. However his saddlery skills were thought to be more akin to the Light Horse and so he is made a member of their reinforcement draft.
On 16 May 1917 he is transferred to the Imperial Camel Corps before embarking in Fremantle for Egypt a week later.
In Egypt he spent time in the isolation camp at Moascar on his arrival, before being posted to the Anzac Reserve Depot in Abbassia on 23 Aug 1918. Once there he was allocated to the 4th Battalion of the Camel Corps and joined them in the field on 21 Dec 1917. Made temporary Saddlery Sergeant on arrival, the rank was made permanent on 13 Mar 1918.
On 17 Jun 1918 he transferred to the 5th Brigades Details camp in Moascar, before being posted to the 15th Light Horse Regiment at Moascar on 15 Feb 1919 and then moved to Kantana. Granted early repatriation he traveled home in March 1919.
Discharged 5th Military District 1 May 1919.
Post War
Electoral Roll entries - 1925 saddler at Dwellingup; 1931 - 1954 a packer at 67 Emmerson street, Balkatta with Isabella, but also Aubrey John (1931-6); Following Alfred's death the Master of the Supreme Court wrote to the Army seeking confirmation of service as he was unable to finalise the estate of Alfred, and that as a result his wife was facing difficulties, including access to the bank account.
Notes
Enlistment documents show place of birth as Avoca, Victoria where 3 siblings were born before the family moved back to Deniliquin by 1878