Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Enlisted and served as alias William ALLEN

The summary below was completed by Cathy Sedgwick – Facebook “WW1 Australian War Graves in England/UK/Scotland/Ireland 

Died on this date – 4th June…… Christopher William Erricker was born at Longreach, Queensland on 27th September, 1893.

He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.) on 18th May, 1916 stating he was William Erricker – a 24 year old, single, Labourer.

(According to family information William Erricker believed that “Erricker” was a German name & decided to enlist as William Allen – “Allen” being his mother’s maiden name.)

Private William “Allen”, Service number 3059, embarked from Sydney, NSW on HMAT Borda (A30) on 17th October, 1916 with the 1st Pioneer Battalion, 7th Reinforcements & disembarked at Plymouth, England on 9th January, 1917.

Reinforcements were only given basic training in Australia. Training was completed in training units in England. Some of these were located in the Salisbury Plain & surrounding areas in the county of Wiltshire.
He was written up for an Offence at Parkhouse, Wiltshire – “Absent without leave from midnight 30.1.17 till 9pm 1.2.17.” He was awarded 10 days Field Punishment No. 2 & was in custody awaiting trial 11 days. Total forfeiture of pay – 23 days.

On 2nd March, 1917 Private “Allen” was marched in to Pioneer Training Battalion at Larkhill, Wiltshire from Parkhouse, Wiltshire. He was transferred & taken on strength of 1st Training Battalion at Durrington, Wiltshire on 11th July, 1917.

He qualified as very good at Lewis Gun School held between 6th & 10th August, 1917 at 1st Training Battalion.

Private “Allen” proceeded overseas to France via Southampton on 5th September, 1917 from No.’s 7 & 8 Camps, Durrington. He was marched in to 1st A.D.B.D. (Australian Divisional Base Depot) at Havre, France on 6th September, 1917 & marched out on 13th September, 1917 to join his Unit. Private “Allen” was taken on strength of 4th Battalion in France on 25th September, 1917.

On 4th October, 1917 Private “Allen” was reported Missing in France. He was later reported “Not Missing” & was with his Unit on 4th October, 1917.

He was written up for a crime on 11th February, 1918 – “Neglecting to obey an order given by his superior officer” & was awarded 5 days C.B. (Confined to Barracks) & forfeited 5 days’ pay.

Private William “Allen” was wounded in action – Gassed. He was admitted to 1st Australian Field Ambulance on 9th March, 1918 then transferred to 2nd Casualty Clearing Station the same day. Pte “Allen” was transferred to Ambulance Train 36 on 10th March, 1918 & admitted to 53rd General Hospital at Boulogne the same day. He was transferred to No.1 Convalescent Depot at Boulogne on 22nd March, 1918 then transferred to No. 10 Convalescent Depot at Ecault on 25th March, 1918. Pte “Allen” was discharged to Base on 2nd April, 1918 & was marched in to A.I.B.D. (Australian Infantry Base Depot) at Havre from Hospital on 4th April, 1918 then marched out to join his Unit on 10th April, 1918.

On 6th April, 1918 Private “Allen” had been written up for a Crime while posted at A.I.B.D. (Australian Infantry Base Depot) – “1. Drunkenness 2. Being in possession of Spirits 3. Being in town without a pass 4. Absent from Tattoo 6/4/18 till apprehended by the French Police at about 11 pm on 6/4/18.” He was awarded 20 days C.C. (Confined to Camp) & forfeited 20 days‘pay.

He rejoined 4th Battalion in France on 25th April, 1918.

Private William “Allen” was wounded in action – Gassed (2nd Occasion) on 25th May, 1918. He was admitted to 3rd Australian Field Ambulance then transferred to Casualty Clearing Station the same day. Private “Allen” was transferred & admitted to 53rd General Hospital on 26th May, 1918. He was invalided to England from 53rd General Hospital on 30th May, 1918 – gassed.

On 30th May, 1918 Private “Allen” was admitted to War Hospital at Norwich, Norfolk, England – Gassed Shell – dangerously ill.

Private William “Allen” died at 5.40 pm on 4th June, 1918 at Norfolk War Hospital, Norwich, Norfolk, England from Gas Poisoning from Shell Gas & Burns.
Base Records advised A.I.F. Headquarters, London on 4th June, 1918 that “Mrs Rose E. Erricker of 82 South Street, Rockhampton (Queensland) has furnished a Statutory Declaration to the effect that No. 3059, Private W. Allen, 4th Battalion, is her son, and that he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force under an assumed name, his correct one being WILLIAM ERRICKER.” The Statutory Declaration was dated 16th May, 1918.

He was buried in Earlham Road Cemetery, Norwich, Norfolk, England where 23 other WW1 Australian War Graves are located.

His headstone is engraved as “W. Allen”. He is remembered on the Roll of Honour at the Australian War Memorial as Private W. Erricker.

(The above is a summary of my research. The full research can be found by following the link below)
https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/norwich---norfolk.html