ALLEN Archibald Lawrence

Archibald Lawrence Allen was born on 2 January 1898 in Bundaberg to parents Joseph Francis and Elizabeth Eliza (nee Beard). Both parents had died before Archibald enlisted in the Army on 20 January 1916, Joseph in 1903 and Elizabeth in 1914. When he enlisted he stood 5ft 2 inches tall and weighed 101 Lbs. a single man and gave his occupation as labourer and named his sister in law Ellen as his next of kin.

At the Enoggera Camp he was allocated to 49th Battalion and sailed from Brisbane on 20 April 1916 aboard H.M.A.T ' Hawkes Bay' arriving at Suez on 24 May 1916. It was 22 September 1916 before he landed at France as reinforcements for 49th Battalion. In August 1917 he was transferred to 4th Division Salvage Corp where he would remain for the most part of his overseas service. His service record contained at least five instances of being either absent without leave or disobeying orders starting while in Enoggera camp with resulting penalties amounting to many days pay. Archibald was admitted to 53rd General Hospital in October 1917 suffering from Nephritis and the ongoing debility would cause him to go before the Medical Board for assessment. The Board found that he was unfit for duty and therefore should be returned to Australia. It was not until 23 March 1918 that he would embark aboard ' Llanstephan Castle' which sailed from Plymouth via Capetown arriving in Melbourne where Archibald disembarked on 16 April 1918. He then travelled to Brisbane and discharge took effect on 4 June 1918. In his war service record a pension was granted in July 1918 and the address given was Richmond Lane, Maryborough.

Of his brothers that served James # 601, John #1502, Samuel #1713 returned to Australia. His brother William # 552 had become a prisoner of war and sadly died during that time. He is buried in Baghdad. Archibald Lawrence Allen died in Brisbane on 15 March 1928 and is buried at Toowong Cemetery.

• France
• France
• France