Phillip Selwyn Allen
From Our Contribution
 Boar War Photo (1902) RSM 5th WA Mounted Infantry slwa_b1818879_1 | |
 Six members of the 1902 Australian Coronation Corps on board ship for return to Australia after having participated in the Coronation Parade for King Edward VII. Each man wears his medal for service in South Africa as well as the Coronation Medal. AWM photo A04831 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | c1875 |
| Place of Birth | South Melbourne, Victoria |
| Death | 4 Aug 1940 |
| Place of Death | Spencer's Brook, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 40 years old |
| Description |
5'9" (1.75m) tall ; 144lbs 65.317 kg ; fresh complexion ; blue eyes ; brown hair ; several tattoos on chest, and right arm |
| Occupation | Stockman |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | NOK Gosnells, Western Australia, soldier c/- PO Nullagine |
| Next of Kin | Sister , Mrs Blanche Tipping |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 1304 |
| Date of Enlistment | 30 Jul 1915 |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Unit/Formation | 10th Light Horse Regiment, 10th reinforcement |
| Date of Embarkation | 13 Oct 1915 ‒ ?? Nov 1915 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A32 Themistocles |
| Date of Return | 12 Nov 1917 |
| Ship Returned On | HMAT A18 Wiltshire |
| Monument |
Gosnells Road Board Honour Roll Gosnells Ward Honour Roll |
| Medals |
Queens South Africa Medal 1914-15 Star British War Medal Victory Medal Coronation Medal King Edward VII |
Pre WW 1
In 1893 Phillip married 18 year old Ethel Rose Lamble in Victoria. Ethel died in 1956 at Mount Margaret, Western Australia. However, at enlistment he gave his sister as his NOK.
He had previous military experience in both South Africa (2 years 9 months with the 5th West Australian Mounted Infantry during the Boer War) and in the militia in Perth (both in the Artillery and in the Infantry). During the Boer War Phillip was a Private with the 1st Mounted Infantry Contingent. Having been assigned regimental number 38, he saw service in the operations at Wittebergen, Diamond Hill, Johannesburg and Cape Colony. He was promoted to Corporal; Sergeant on 17 May 1901; Sergeant-Major on 09 Jan 1902; and Regimental Sergeant-Major of the 5th Western Australian Mounted Infantry on 4 Feb 1902. He was awarded the Queen’s South Africa Medal with 4 clasps - Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Wittebergen, and Cape Colony. Having returned to Western Australia, he was selected to be part of the Coronation Contingent from the various States of the Australian Commonwealth, which left Fremantle on Monday 12th May 1902, on board R.M.S. Rome bound for England. The Coronation occurred on 9 Aug 1902, and they returned to Australia in late 1902.
Electoral Roll entries: 1903 Government Print Office Perth, caretaker; 1913 Mulga Downs, Roebourne, contractor; 1915 Nullagine, labourer.
War Service
Phillip entered camp on 31 Jul 1915 and the next day he was allocated to the 10th reinforcement draft for the 10th Light Horse Regiment. He would have arrived in Egypt by early November 1915. On 22 Jan 1916 he was appointed Lance Corporal, with his records indicating that this had occurred at Gallipoli some time earlier. However, he forfeited this rank when on 30 May 1916 he used obscene and offensive language to an Officer, and for neglecting his duty. In Jun 1916 he required 10 days hospital treatment from the 54th Casualty Clearing Station for conjunctivitis. He again needed treatment in Nov 1916 for 2 days to overcome an eyesight issue. On 14 Sep 1916 at Bir El Abd, he was again appointed Lance Corporal, followed on 11 October when he was promoted Corporal.
On 2 Nov 1916 he entered hospital again briefly at El Maler. Promoted Temporary Sergeant on 29 Dec 1916 and then confirmed in the rank on 15 Jan 1917 before spending a couple of days with the 3rd Light Horse Brigade Field Ambulance with a septic hand during March in Belah. Another stint in hospital, this time for 10 days occurred in July at Marakeb, followed by time in a rest camp at Port Said. Recovered, he returned to duty on 7 Sep 1917, but was again suffering ill health on 12 Oct 1917 at Shellal and was placed on an Ambulance Train for Rafa where he entered the 65th Casualty Clearing Station on 13 Oct 1917, and via another Ambulance Train he was sent on to El Arish, arriving on the 14th. By now diagnosed with debility due to his age, he was transferred from the 24th Stationary Hospital to Cairo where he entered the 14th Australian General Hospital at Abassia on 17 Oct 1917. On 29 October he was transferred to a rest camp at Port Said, preparatory to being shipped home on 12 Nov 1917 for a 6 month rest.
Phillip's return to Australia was by ship to Melbourne, and then by rail to Perth where he was discharged by the 5th Military District on 6 Feb 1918.
Post War
Electoral Roll entry: 1925 at Central Terrace, East Cannington, labourer; 1935 at 37 Reserve street, Claremont, no occupation.
Notes
On 24 Dec 1916 Phillip was recommended for an award following an action at Magdhaba, but it was not granted."Corporal Allen was in charge of a Lewis Gun for detachment during the action and showed remarkable initiative and dash in pushing his gun into the forefront of battle. In the final charge he, together with Corporal Conway covered the advance of Lt Cox and his troops on the enemy's final position and I consider his work thoroughly worthy of Special Mention." TJ Todd Lt Col CO 10th Light Horse.AWM
Issued with King's Silver Wound Badge No A93827 (A duplicate was issued on 25 Aug 1937).
References