Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Private Rowland Taylor Allen. Rolly was an 18 year old baker in Coraki NSW in 1915 when he signed up for service in world war 1. He was half way through his training, injured himself and was medically discharged. By 1917 he was now 21 and the war was still raging in France and Belgium, he signed up again, this time he got through training and landed in England, when they found out he was a baker he was put to work as a cook. After nearly year he finally got to France and joined the 45th Battalion A I F, days before their last battle at the Hindenburg line, the 8 August 1918, German Commander Eric Ludendorff famously called it the black day of German Army. Australian commander General Monash put together a masterpiece of combined arms that rolled the formidable German line and marked the beginning of the end of the war. Rolly and the 45th fought across open green fields, taking 19 kilometres on the first three days and thousands of German prisoners. Rolly and his mates had captured a German kitchen dugout, inside was a large pot with a human inside, the furphy quickly spread that the Germans were cooking prisoners up, but it was soon proven to be another unfortunate German that had been thrown into it when the artillery barrage had hit it earlier in the battle. Germany surrendered not long after, Rolly staying on till mid 1919. Back home he met Lilly, changed his profession to a mechanic and they settled in Woolgoolga and had three kids. But Rollys Anzac story was not over, in 1940 with the next war kicked off. Rolly, now 42 years old, signed up. He was posted to the 11th Garrison Battalion, who were in charge of guarding the prisoner camps at Orange, Cowra and Hay. By the end of 1941, Rollys old injuries came back and he was medically discharged. Rolly lived to age 71. Lest we forget the Anzac legend 1 4 9 1 5 and N108119 Private Rowland Allen
Sources; NAA service records, AWM, Unit history