Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Ballarat & District in the Great War

Pte William Allan BURNETT (aka William Allan),
24th Infantry Battalion 

Remember when you were 17…when you felt completely in charge of your own destiny? No doubt many of you have also looked at headstrong, reckless teenagers and muttered: they think they’re bulletproof! At 17 we think we are ready to take on the world, without fear or favour; that we will rise well above any consequences. Of course, the exact opposite is usually the case. But, for those young men who were determined to “do their bit,” consequences weighed very lightly against all the other pressures being brought to bear.

The minimum age to serve in the Australian Imperial Force was 18-years – with consent required from a parent or guardian. Legal age of autonomy was 21. These restrictions led to a lot of, shall we say, creativity on the part of many a teenager wishing to enlist. So, when a young man approached the recruiting sergeant at the Geelong Depot on 26 June 1916, claiming to be 21-year-old William Allan, there was no reason to question his veracity.
There was a lot more to his story!

The young lad in question was actually William Allen Burnett, who was born at the mining town of Illabarook in December 1898. He was the eldest son of Maurice John Burnett and Minnie Allen, a welcome arrival after four successive daughters. Their family would be completed by the late arrival of a second son, Jack, in 1905, but the baby failed to thrive and died the following year, effectively changing Allen’s status to one of an only son.

Allen’s father was the first generation born in the district, being born at Whim Holes, Enfield, in 1858. His was a rich Scottish ancestry, with his father coming from Aberdeen and his mother from the mystical island of Iona, said to be the birthplace of Scottish Christianity.

The Allen family, on the other hand, had their roots in the English West Country, coming from the village of Compton Dundon, just five and a half miles from Glastonbury Tor. This was a land steeped in myth and legend – from the tales of King Arthur to the ‘delightful legend of St Joseph of Arimathea.’ For these Scottish and English immigrants, the landscape around Illabarook, south-west of Ballarat, was very different to those of the British Isles, if no less ancient.

During those early years, Allen watched as his father worked as a miner on the local claims. When he reached school age, he was enrolled at the Illabarook State School, which was never a large school, especially by modern, centralised standards. There were, nevertheless, health issues that were potentially fatal, even in a small school. The year Allen was due to begin in the babies class, an outbreak of diphtheria forced the closure of the school.

In November 1907, Maurice Burnett made an application for a block of land after the State Government purchased the Werneth Estate for closer settlement. The 21 farms varied in size from 229 to 550 acres, and in value from £1200 to £3575. There were 38 applicants and it was recommended that Maurice be granted Lot No4 consisting of 240 acres.
As a result, the Burnett family moved to the rural community of Werneth. It many regards it was like moving to the “back of beyond.” The nearest town of any size was Rokewood, with a population of just 524 in 1901, it was very small by country communities of the era. Werneth itself was considerably smaller, but development continued with the opening of a Methodist Church on Sunday 13 March 1910.

The Burnetts worked hard to improve their new property and make it a success. They ran good quality milking cattle selling under the business name of “Burnett Brothers.” The roads around the area were said to be ‘very bad,’ and access to their property was via Burnett’s Road; sadly, the name appears to have disappeared many years ago.

In 1914, a Royal Commission was held into the Closer Settlement scheme. At Werneth a number of issues were addressed, including the size of the properties, which were deemed too small to make family farming viable. Maurice added a very specific complaint that the Board had given farmers possession of the land during the wrong season, meaning that there would be no significant profit early enough to cover debts. It was a tough life for the Burnett family and their neighbours.

Following the move from Illabarook, Allen was transferred to the Werneth State School where he completed his education. He became well known in the small community, working as a labourer on the family farm and playing in the forward line for Werneth football team.

But it was his decision to enlist that was to garner young Allen Burnett the most attention.

Clearly, Allen believed that his parents would not consent to him enlisting underage. So, he carefully concocted a story that would answer all the pertinent questions. He also needed cover his tracks, making it impossible for any checking to reveal his identity.

He told the recruiting officer that he was born at Illabarook, but that his father, who he named as next-of-kin, was “Alexander Allan of Alphington, Victoria.” Apparently, there was some confusion as he believed he had given Alfredton (in Ballarat) as the home of this fictitious father.

Allen’s medical was conducted on 26 July by Captain G. R. Darley, whose observations revealed nothing that would have alerted the authorities to the boy’s subterfuge. Having stated that he was aged 21-years and 1-month (he was in fact just 17-years and 6-months), he was reliant then on passing the medical requirements. At 5-feet 6½-inches in height, 8-stone 7-pounds in weight, and having an expanded chest measurement of 33½-inches, he passed easily. Captain Darley also recorded that the new recruit’s eyesight was normal and had been vaccinated in infancy.

Having successfully been accepted into the AIF, Allen set about commemorating his new adventure by having multiple photographs taken – photographs that reveal a handsome, strong-jawed face, with a dark complexion, dark brown hair and quite startlingly blue eyes.

Due to the remoteness of where he grew up, Allen was able to answer honestly that he had received no military training with the Citizen Forces or cadets. This was not a problem – he was immediately sent into camp at Geelong and began training with the No1 Battalion. Then, on 2 July, he was transferred to the 5th reinforcements destined for the 2nd Cyclist Battalion, a unit used predominantly for reconnaissance and as despatch riders.

Returning to Werneth for his final leave, Allen was able to see his parents and sisters. Evidently there were no repercussions for the young soldier, with Maurice and Minnie seemingly reconciled to his youthful deceit. He was also the recipient of a rather hastily arranged farewell social held at the Werneth State School on 12 August. Despite the festivities for the evening being somewhat dampened by ‘unfavourable’ weather, a good crowd gathered to give Allen a fine send-off. He was presented with a wristlet watch ‘with illuminated dial hands’ and a silver mounted leather pocket wallet. There were also ‘much good wishes and good advice’ given by those assembled. Because Allen had come home quite unexpectedly, there had been no time to arrange the customary musical items, but there was no lull in proceedings with audience members gladly volunteering to entertain – including Allen and his father, who both performed musical numbers to great applause.

The customary singing of the National Anthem and Auld Lang Syne brought the ‘very enjoyable evening’ to a close.

Just to bring back a sense of everyday normalcy for the Burnett family, the following advertisement appeared in the Cressy and Lismore Pioneer and Western Plains Representative newspaper around the same time.

‘…To Whom it may Concern
I HEREBY give notice that, unless the Red Cow, branded like R C, now in my possession, and which strayed into my paddock about eighteen months ago, is forthwith claimed by the owner and the expenses of grazing her paid to me, I will, after the expiration of SEVEN DAYS from this date, Dispose of the said Cow by Public Auction, and apply the proceeds of sale in satisfaction of such expenses.
MAURICE JOHN BURNETT, ~ Werneth.
Witness—DAVID CLARKE, Solicitor, Ballarat…’

Despite this being touted as his last leave, Allen still had an extended time in camp before embarkation. He was able to visit Luna Park with one of his sisters, where they had their photograph taken on a painted model of the moon. A last bit of innocent fun before Allen went to war.

It wasn’t until 18 October that he received his final medical examination. Then, just two days later, at Port Melbourne, he boarded the troopship HMAT Borda, a new twin-screw P&O steamship. He was to become very familiar with the confines of this ship: the voyage to England took the better part of 12-weeks before they finally berthed at Plymouth on 9 January 1917.

Allen spent the next six weeks training at Perham Downs and then with the 6th Training Battalion at Rolleston. However, the change in climate and the very cold conditions experienced around Salisbury Plain finally caught up with Allen and he was admitted to the Fargo Military Hospital on 23 February suffering from a mild attack of bronchial catarrh and influenza. After three days rest, he was discharged to light duty. He rejoined the 6th TB at Larkhill on 1 March.

As he anxiously waited to embark for France, Allen received news that he was to be transferred from the Cyclist Battalion to reinforcements for the 24th Infantry Battalion. He finally sailed for the Front on 9 May. After being processed through the 2nd Australian Divisional Base Depot at Étaples, he joined the 24th at Mametz on 13 May. The battalion was resting having just come out of the frontline at Noreuil near Bullecourt. When Allen arrived, the men were getting ready to be inspected by General Sir Hubert Gough and preparing for an afternoon of organised sports.
Over the next few months Allen began to suffer from intermittent bouts of trench fever. By 12 August he was sick enough to warrant admission to the 58th Scottish General Hospital at St Omer. Five days later he was invalided to England, where he was admitted to the Norfolk War Hospital in Norwich on 18 September.

Following a period of rest at the 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Dartford and a two-week furlough, Allen was ordered to report the Command Depot at Weymouth on 17 October. Although he was back in camp the residual effects of trench fever continued to plague him, with headaches and pain in both shins.

On 7 November, Allen left the No1 Command Depot at Sutton Veny for the Overseas Training at Longbridge-Deverill where he was to perform Guard Duty.

Illness continued to prevent Allen from returning to the Front. He was treated as an out patient at the Military Hospital in Sutton Veny for influenza on 24 January 1918. Then, on 27 February, he was admitted to the same facility suffering from measles. After more than two weeks in hospital, he was discharged to duty. Fortunately, he had avoided any of the many complications associated with the disease.

As the German Spring Offensive was in full swing on the Western Front, Allen was still having trouble with fitness. On 5 April, he went before a Medical Board with investigations into myalgia and “disordered action of the heart” – a common complaint amongst soldiers.

His health problems continued and findings of the Medical Board suggested he would not be fit for home service for a further two months or active service for another six months. And yet, less than two months later, Allen rejoined the 24th Battalion at Querrieu outside Amiens.

Allen was to see considerable action over the coming months – his first important battle being at Hamel on 4 July.

‘…It was a memorable day for this was the first occasion in history that American Troops have fought side by side with British Troops and it was a great honour for Australians to have the Yanks with us. The American Colonel addressing his men before they went in exhorted them to do their best “for you are fighting with lads who always deliver the goods” and with us they delivered the goods and fought splendidly. The verdict is unanimous – the Yanks will do us…’

On 22 July, the 24th was near Monument Wood outside Villers-Bretonneux. During the evening the area was heavily bombarded with both high explosive and gas shells causing heavy casualties amongst a working party that had to pass through the wood and 2000 yards of low-lying ground where the gas was very thick. Two officers and 78 men were affected to varying degrees. Only one member of the party did not eventually require evacuation – Second-Lieutenant George Ingram, who would go on to win a Victoria Cross at Beaurevoir in the battalion’s last action on the Western Front.

The following day was quiet, with efforts devoted to evacuating those who had been gassed. Allen, who had been with the working party, was admitted to the 6th Australian Field Ambulance before being transferred to the 5th Casualty Clearing Station a day later. After extended treatment at the 49th Casualty Clearing Station at Boves, southeast of Amiens, Allen was discharged to duty on 7 August. He rejoined the 24th in the line east of Rainecourt, where the battalion was forming part of the Amiens defences.
Meanwhile, in Australia, Minnie Burnett was raising concerns about her son with Base Records. She wrote to Major James Lean on 27 August outlining his situation, informing him that ‘…he enlisted underage and without my consent he dropped his surname Burnett and went under his two Christian names…’ She also pointed out in regards to “Alexander Allan,” ‘he has no such relation by that name,’ and that his correct address was Werneth not Alphington. She simply wanted to know how her son was progressing. ‘…He informed me before sailing that he had given his name as W. Allan, Alfredton. I think there must have been a mistake in spelling of same…’ The response was perfunctory and bureaucratic – Minnie was informed that she would need to forward a Statutory Declaration to prove that she was in fact his mother, as Allen had declared his father to be the aforementioned Alexander Allan. This she did – plus the many letters Allen had written to her from the Front. The matter still was far from settled at that point.

The fighting on the Western Front was pushing forward to a now foreseeable conclusion. Throughout August and September, the 24th continued as one of the leading AIF battalions – their famous red and white diamond colour patches became synonymous with the fighting of these last few months. From the supporting role during the Battle of Amiens to the major role in taking the German strong point at the summit of Mont St Quentin on 2 September, the 24th was in the thick of it.

On 3 October, the battalion entered the line at Beaurevoir, successfully capturing the sector the following day.

The weary troops then pushed forward to Montbrehain on 5 October. This was to be the last action for the AIF on the Western Front and was a concerted attempt to break the final German defences. They advanced early in the morning and eventually succeeded in occupying the village.

At the end of the day, 57 men of the 24th Battalion had been killed, including Private “William Allan,” who was still two months short of his 20th birthday.
Unfortunately, there were no witness statements gathered to tell what happened to young Allen Burnett that day. The majority of the men had been killed in the advance by shellfire or machine guns, with a staggering number hit in the head by either bullets or shrapnel.

He was, however, afforded a proper burial in the Calvaire British Cemetery 8-miles nor’-nor’-east of St Quentin. His comrades in the 24th Battalion also saw to his grave being surmounted by a beautifully ornate wooden cross that had been expertly decorated by hand.

News of their son’s death reached Maurice and Minnie on 22 October. The Werneth community rallied around them and, on 17 November, an In Memoriam service was held at the Werneth Methodist Church, which was ‘full to the doors.’ Preaching from a pulpit draped in black and white and the Australian flag, Methodist Home Missionary, Mr Ernest Brownbill, chose as the text of his sermon, John 15:13 – ‘Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.’

‘…These words which Jesus uttered, said the preacher, had set the standard of the highest love, as was manifest by His Own sacrifice on Calvary for mankind. To-day we were honouring one who at the Call of Empire had laid down his life for his friends. What greater love can any man display than that. What greater gift can anyone give than the gift of life itself? At this time, when we are rejoicing in a great victory; in these days when God has been doing wonderful things among us; in these days when right has triumphed over might, we must never forget that victory has only been made possible by the sacrifice of our manhood. Those who at the call of duty went forth to conquer, and some to die that we might be free. One of these was Pte Allen Burnett, only a laddie of 19 summers; but although his a lad he had done a man's work, and his memory would ever be sacred to the large circle of people who knew him well. During the service Miss Lawson sang, "He Wipes the Tear From Every Eye," and the whole service was of an impressive nature…’

For the Burnett family, the loss of their only son and brother when the war was so near the end must have been the cruellest of all possible blows. The great joy being felt throughout the country was not now something they could share.

But there were still the problems associated with Allen having signed up under an alias. When he had completed the rudimentary Last Will and Testament in the back of his paybook on 7 August 1917, Allen had named his mother, Minnie Burnett of Werneth, as his sole beneficiary. When it was extracted after his death, it showed that he had signed the document as “W. Allan.” On 14 March 1919, Minnie produced documentary evidence that finally confirmed for Base Records that the young man’s true name was indeed William Allen Burnett.

The memorial plaque and scroll, as prescribed to the next-of-kin of all those who died on active service, were initially incorrectly inscribed and had to be corrected. Unfortunately, the Commonwealth War Graves headstone that eventually marked Allen’s burial place was left bearing the name under which he had served. But it does carry the words chosen by his mother:
My dear lad sleeps
Till night endeth
And morning breaks.