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Allan Cole Uren

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Allan Cole Uren
Uren Allan Cole.jpg
Uren Allan Cole 2.jpg
Allen with wife Esther standing behind Ancestry,com
Personal Information
Date of Birth 15 Sep 1914
Place of Birth Armadale, Western Australia
Death 20 Sep 2006, aged 92
Place of Death Bayswater, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment 25 years, 8 months
Occupation Storeman
Religion Salvation Army
Address Stone street, Bayswater, Western Australia
Next of Kin Father , Mr. Frederick William Uren
Military Information
Reg Number WX3879
Date of Enlistment 1 Jun 1940
Rank Private
Unit/Formation 2/16th Australian Infantry Battalion
Military Movement
1st Departure from Australia
Journey Dates 25 Oct 1940 ‒ 4 Nov 1940
Transport Details HMT Aquitania Fremantle to Bombay
Transfers
Journey Dates 10 Nov 1940 ‒ 25 Nov 1940
Transport Details HMT Rajula Bombay to El Kantara
Return to Australia
Journey Dates 29 Jan 1942 ‒ 11 Feb 1942
Transport Details SS Île de France Port Tewfik to Bombay
Journey Dates 11 Feb 1942 ‒ 15 Mar 1942
Transport Details SS Kosciusko Bombay to Perth
2nd Departure from Australia
Journey Dates 6 Aug 1942 ‒ 13 Aug 1942
Transport Details SS James Fenimore Cooper Brisbane to Port Moresby
Return to Australia
Journey Dates 9 Sep 1942 ‒ 14 Sep 1942
Transport Details AHS Manunda Port Moresby to Brisbane
Post War Details
Fate WIA 31 Aug 1942 Abuari, New Guinea
Returned to Australia
Medals 1939-45 Star
Africa Star
Pacific Star
War Medal 1939-45
Australian Service Medal 1939-45



Pre War

Married Phyllis Jean Sorensen in Bruce Rock during 1936. Phyllis died in 1962 aged 47.

Electoral Roll entry: 1937 - Stone street, Bayswater, shop assistant

War Service

Allan enlisted on 1 Jun 1940, and on 13 Jun 1940 was transferred from the General Reinforcement Pool to the 2/16th Australian Infantry Battalion, then in training at Northam. From 29 July until 2 August he received treatment from the Camp Dressing Station for an undisclosed issue. Allan was granted pre-embarkation leave from 27 Sep - 4 Oct 1940, and with the battalion, he embarked aboard HMT Aquitania in Guage Roads on 25 Oct 1940 for Bombay where they disembarked on 4 Nov 1940. On 10 Nov 1940 they embarked on HMT Rajula, sailing the next day for El Kantara where they disembarked on 25 Nov 1940.


Allan's records are blank until 3 Aug 1941, so it might be assumed that he was with the battalion which trained at Al Majdal in Palestine before moving into defensive positions on the Egypt/Libya border during April and May 1941. They then moved back to Palestine in preparation for a clash with the Vichy French in Lebanon/Syria which lasted 6 weeks and saw the battalion suffer 264 casuaties. At the conclusion the battalion remained in Lebanon for a time as a garrison force. With the Japanese entry into the war, the 21st Brigade, including the battalion were returned to Australia. The 2/16th Battalion boarded the SS Île de France in Port Tewfik for Bombay where they transshipped to the SS Kosciusko for passage to Adelaide. However, when the ship stopped in Fremantle Allan was one of a number of men who left the ship and were subsequently dealth with as having been AWOL. he was charged with having been AWOL from 1:00pm on 18 Mar 1942 until 10:40am on 23 Mar 1942. Fined £5 and the loss of 5 days pay.


On 6 Aug 1942 Allan boarded the SS James Fenimore Cooper in Brisbane for Port Moresby where they disembarked on 13 Aug 1942. On 31 Aug 1942 Allan was Wounded in Action on the Kokoda Track near Abuari receiving bullet wounds to his left hand and righ forearm. On 9 Sep 1942 he boarded the AHS Manunda for Brisbane, where he disembarked on 14 Sep 1942 and was admitted to the 102nd Australian General Hospital. On 21 Dec 1942 Allan arrived back in Western Australia granted leave until 4 Jan 1943. On 11 Jan 1943 he was admitted to the 110th Australian Base Hospital to have his right forearm amputated (??). Treated for Malaria, he was discharged from hospital on 17 Jan 1943. On 2 Mar 1943 Allan was posted to the 3rd Australian Corps Troops Petrol Company where he was appointed a Trade Group Level III Clerk. On 15 Apr 1943 he was detached to the 37th Australian Company ASC, and from 13 May until 19 Aug 1943 he was sent on a Technical Training Clerk's course.


On 13 Nov 1943 Allan was admitted to the 110th Australian Base Hospital, and on 18 Nov 1943 they transferred him to the 118th Australian General Hospital where he received treatment until 29 Nov 1943. On 30 Nov 1943 he rejoined his unit before taking his discharge on 16 Feb 1944 having been released for 'Essential Services'.

Post War

Married to Esther Bell Kentish, born 1917 died 2 Sep 2008 aged 91 in Embleton. They had 3 sons and 5 daughters.

Electoral Roll entries: 1949 - 1980 at 8 Wyatt road, Bayswater, poultry farmer; House renumbered to 60 in 1968

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