Allan, John
PLACE OF BIRTH
Irvinebank, North Queensland
OCCUPATION
Shop Assistant
PLACE OF ENLISTMENT
Townsville
DATE OF ENLISTMENT
12-02-16
NEXT OF KIN
(father) Alexander Allan, Irvinebank
LINK TO DOUGLAS SHIRE
Worked Jack and Newell, Port Douglas
REGIMENT 1
9th Battalion AIF
RANK
Lance Corporal
CAMPAIGN
Western Front
KILLED IN ACTION
Yes, 3-11-17 Belgium
OTHER INFO
Embarked Brisbane on Itonus 8-08-16 to Plymouth.
Awarded the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal
STORY OUTLINE
The 'Soldiers Who Fell' section of the Shire Honour Board lists Allen, J. We have not found a J Allen, killed, who has a connection to Douglas Shire. We have found a J Allen who returned (see Allen John) and a J Allan, who was killed in action.
Here is his story. John Allan was born in Irvinebank, and was working at Jack and Newell's Port Douglas Store when war broke out. John enlisted at Townsville on 12-02-16. He departed Australia for England in August 1916 and proceeded to France in February 1917 with the 9th Battalion. He suffered a leg wound in April but rejoined the unit a fortnight later. On 3rd November 1917 he was killed in action in Belgium. The Cairns Post of 7 December 1917 provided the following item on Jack Allan.
'Driver Jack Allan enlisted from Port Douglas about 2 years ago and had not long returned to the firing line after recovering from wounds that he made the great sacrifice. At the time of enlistment he was employed at the Port Douglas Branch of Messrs Jack and Newell and his good nature and cheery disposition made him many friends, to whom the news of his death will naturally come as a shock'.
SERVICE NO
5980
