Sapper George Allman

SAPPER GEORGE ALLMAN

7642 – 1st Tunnelling Company

Brisbane, Queensland was the birthplace of George Allman about 1870. He stated he was apprenticed to Mr Holmes, Carrier in Brisbane for five years. His residence in 1903 to 1906 was 18 Smith Street, Perth, W.A. and followed the occupation of a carrier. In 1910 his address was Experimental Farm in the Subiaco district and still a carrier but by 1916 he was a Poultry Expert at 13 Brookman Street, Parkerville. He had applied to enlist with the A.I.F. on June 10, 1916 but was rejected for defective vision.

At a Recruiting Depot in Perth, W.A. on April 4, 1917 he applied to enlist for overseas service and passed the preliminary medical examination. His address given was Hale House, St Georges Terrace, Perth, W.A. and personal particulars of the forty-seven year old was a height of 174cms (5ft 8½ins) with a chest expansion of 89-95cms (35-37½ins). Accompanying his specimen signature was also a declaration he had not served with the A.I.F. The recruiting officer accepted his application the following day.

At the Recruiting Tent, Blackboy Hill camp, W.A. on April 5, 1917 official acceptance of his application took place and Forms of Attestation were completed which add further information about him. He weighed 74.5kgs (164lbs) and had a fair complexion with grey eyes and brown hair. Vision tested poor in his right eye and fair in his left one and dental treatment was required. Distinctive marks were four vaccination scars received in infancy, moles on his back and two moles on his neck. On his right buttock was a scar. Church of England was his religion and stated he had ‘no living relatives’ therefore no next-of-kin was nominated. The ‘Oath of Allegiance’ was taken when all forms were completed.

On April 26, 1917 he commenced basic training at No. 3 Depot Battalion as a Private. He was transferred to the Tunnelling Company camp on May 16 remaining until August 2, 1917 and assigned to the April 1917 Reinforcements to the Tunnelling Companies at their camp in Seymour, Vic with the regimental number 7642 in the rank of Sapper. In preparation for embarkation it was noted his Will had been lodged with A.J. Chick of St Georges Terrace, Perth, W.A.

The April Reinforcements consisted of 168 members who embarked on the troopship HMAT A68 Anchises on August 8, 1917 from Sydney, NSW. Colds and influenza were prevalent at the commencement of the voyage. Crossing the Pacific Ocean the vessel arrived at Colon, Panama on September 2, 1917 departing six days later. Halifax, Nova Scotia was reached on the 18th and after three days in port departed on September 21, 1917. The final journey to England was completed after a 55 day voyage when they docked at Liverpool on October 2, 1917. The troops were detrained to Tidworth. The following day they arrived at No. 1 and 3 Details Camps at Parkhouse for further training for the front.

The Reinforcements proceeded to France from Southampton on November 14, 1917 and arrived at the Aust General Base Depot at Rouelles the next day. On November 20 Sapper Allman was attached to the 1st Anzac Entrenching Battalion which was an advanced section of the Base Depot that organised works near the lines and through duties, usually of ten days duration, would accustom the reinforcements to war conditions before being assigned to a company in the field. An attachment to the 3rd Pioneer Battalion ensued on November 20, 1917 and returned to the Entrenching Battalion on December 13, 1917.

He was attached to the 1st Tunnelling Company on December 18, 1917 and taken on strength on April 27, 1918. No injuries or wounding occurred during his service.

He proceeded on leave on October 19 and returned on November 5, 1918. Six days later Peace was declared and his company remained on the front as part of the Army of Occupation assisting with rehabilitation by repairing roads and bridges or drainage in their area.

The unit was recalled to Base on January 28, 1919 and they marched out on February 1, 1919 and crossed the English Channel on February 4, 1919 arriving at the No. 1 Command Depot at Sutton Veny.

A Kit Inspection was carried out and an Inventory taken on February 7, 1919 then the following items were issued:

Razor & Case, Flannel Shirt, Singlet, 2 pairs Woollen Socks, Towel, Sea Kit Bag.

On February 25, 1919 and extra identity disc with cord was withdrawn from his kit and he was issued with the following articles:

Universal Kit Bag, Braces and Dungaree Jacket & Trousers.

A month later on March 25, 1919 in preparation for departure his fork, knife & spoon were withdrawn from his kit and a day later a full inventory was taken.

On March 31, 1919 he departed England on board the H.T. Khyber for his return voyage to Australia. While at sea he was promoted to R. Voyage Only Corporal on April 10 as an educational instructor. The ship arrived at Fremantle, W.A. (5th M.D.) on May 3, 1919 and reverted to the rank of Sapper on May 11, 1919. Disembarkation was in Brisbane, Qld (1st M.D.) on May 18, 1919.

Military discharge took place in Perth, W.A. (5th M.D.) on June 13, 1919.

He returned to Brooklyn Farm, Parkerville and spent the remainder of his life there as a poultry farmer.

Sapper 7642 George Allman, 1st Tunnelling Company was awarded the British War Medal (31001) and the Victory Medal (29326) for serving his country.

On April 23, 1926 he wrote to Base Records about his War Medals and they referred the matter to Victoria Barracks, Brisbane.

A Statement of his Service was sent to the Repatriation Department, Perth on June 28, 1930.

George Allman passed away on June 27, 1934 aged 64 years. The following notices appeared in the newspaper:

His death was announced in the Tunnellers’ Circular in 1934.