ALLEN Frederick James

Frederick was born 1887 Cooktown, North Queensland. He joined the AIF at Charleville, Queensland, on 10 December 1914.

He was listed as a motor driver/mechanic, of Cooper Camp Road, Paddington, Brisbane, Aged 27 (single). Description: Blue eyes, dark hair, dark complexion. Height 5 feet 9½ inches. Religion: Church of England.

Frederick gave his father, John Geo. Allen of Cooper Camp Road, Paddington, Brisbane as his Next of Kin.

He joined the 2nd Light Horse Regiment (3rd Reinforcement) and embarked from Brisbane, Queensland, on board HMAT A53 Itria on 9 February 1915. Rank: Private.

He arrived on the Gallipoli Peninsula on 7 July 1915 and received a temporary promotion to the rank of corporal on 20 September 1915 and Sergeant on 1 June 1916.

Wounded in action (El Arish) 23 December 1916 (Gunshot wound both arms €“ slight), admitted 14 Australian General Hospital, Cairo. Discharged and taken on strength x hospital Mouscar 15 January 1917.

Wounded in action (Bershebba) 31 October 1917 (Gunshot wound left shoulder), admitted to hospital in Cairo. Transferred to convalescent depot on 23 November 1917.

DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL On 14 July 1918 Staff Sergeant-Major F. J. Allen was recommended for Conspicuous Service. His Majesty the King has been pleased to approve of the reward for distinguished service in connection with military operations with the British Forces in Egypt.

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in the field. On 14 July 1918, in the attack by an enemy battalion on Musallabeh's Salient, he showed great courage and determination. Of his troop of 12 men, three were killed, four were captured, and his officer was wounded. He, with three men, held his post against at least 130 enemy, who were delayed by his resistance, and all subsequently captured.'Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 135. Date: 11 December 1919.

Embarked for leave (UK) from Pt. Said on board Malwa 28 March 1919. Granted leave 12 April to 12 May 1919.

He returned to Australia from England on board Frankfurt (List 309) on 1 July 1919 and disembarked 20 August 1919.

On 21 September 1919 he was discharged from the AIF .

For his active service abroad, Frederick was awarded the 1914/1915 Star, British War Medal and the Victory Medal. Rank from Nominal Roll: S.S.M

Beerburrum Soldier Settlement, lot 417.

When Frederick arrived home he joined the Soldier Settlement scheme at Beerburrum, set up for discharged soldiers and their families. He was one of the very few who made a go of it.

TOBACCO SALES - The top prices were paid for two lots, one from J. Palumbo, Mareeeba, and the other from F. J. Allen, Beerburrum. Cairns Post, 25 June 1932. Page 4.

BEST TOBACCO LEAF GROWN - Artistically decorated with streamers and flowers, the Beerburrum School of Arts presented an animated scene last Saturday evening, when the Tobacco Growers€™ Association held a plain and fancy dress ball. The dancing arrangements were in charge of Mr. B. Flynn. Mr. Nicklin M.L.A. presented the prizes, and also a handsome case of pipes to Mr. F. Allen. This trophy was donated by Mr. H. Simpson, of Beerburrum for the best tobacco leaf grown in the district last season.

Messrs B. Campratt, F. Allen and other Beerburrum farmers are at present engaged in curing in their barns the tobacco crop, they recently garnered, which give every indications of turning out leaf of the best quality. Some years ago the Government placed some 93 unemployed on the land of the locality to grow tobacco, but out of the number only about 17 remain, the rest having left with their families because they were unable to make a success of the industry.

1940 - ABANDONED PINEAPPLES AREAS GROWING TOBACCO At Beerburrum there are at present some exceptionally fine tobacco crops being produced on areas which formerly were utilised for pineapple growing. From these crops farmers hope to realise good prices. The plants are not ravaged by disease. Messrs. Male Bros. and Mrs. Saunders have about six acres of tobacco, and Messrs. N. W. Logie, F. Allen, G.H. Monks and C. Hore have two acres each.

He married Amy Lavinia Davy on 7th October 1920 and died in Queensland aged 78 years in 1965

• Anzac Peninsular
• Egypt

Australian War Memorial. National Archives. Commonwealth Gazette No. 135 - 11 December 1919. The Brisbane Courier, 27 September 1919. Page 2. The Brisbane Courier, 22 September 1932. Page 20. Townsvillle Daily, 24 April 1936. Page 4. Nambour Chronicle, 1 March 1940. Page 9.