Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Allan Roy Latta was born in Norwood, South Australia, 1891. He was the son of Mr Thomas and Mrs Ellen Latta, Allan was single and therefore his father Thomas Latta was his next kin. Growing up Allan was educated at Rose Park Public school, not far from where he lived which was 7 Holden Street, Kensington Park. His religion was Congregational. When Allan grew up he became a commercial traveller (salesman). Allan was a member of Clayton Church, and an officer of the Sunday- school. He was singularly happy disposition, and was universally liked.

Allan enlisted on the 7th of September, 1914 for World War l, he was only 24. He was registered in the 12th Battalion. The 12th battalion was recruited from Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia and formed part of the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division. It served throughout the war, firstly during the Gallipoli Campaign and then on the Western Front.His rank of enlistment was a corporal, but then he was promoted to sergeant during the war. Being promoted to sergeant during the war means that Allan was a extremely good solider.

Allan’s unit embarked from Hobart, Tasmania, on board Transport A2 Geelong on the 20th of October 1914. He was a member of one of the first contingents to leave .  It formed part of the great convoy that assembled at ALbany then crossed the Indian Ocean to the Red Sea before disembarking the troops in Egypt, on 1 December 1914.  Four months training followed while defending the Suez Canal against attack by the Turks.

He was present at the landing at Gallipoli and served there for 8 months. Later he transferred to Egypt arriving on 2nd December. A period of training in the desert followed to prepare the Australian forces for their transfer to Europe, France in March, 1916. The battalion's first major action in France was at Pozières in July 1916. Later the battalion was sent to Belgium near Ypres, i, before returning to the Somme in winter near Guedecourt

Allan was killed in action in Bourses, France on the 6th of April 1917, he was 26 years old. In the 12th Battalion diary oe to shelln the day of Allan'd death they quoted “Relieved the 29th battalion in the line A, C, D coy in line and  B coy in support. Strength 35 officers and 100 other ranks”. A letter was sent home, addressed to T. Latta. He was buried in the field and his grave was subsequently lost due to shell fire.  Like 10,000 others, he is commemorated at the Australian National Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux, France, Valle de Somme. This memorial does not only serve the missing soldiers, The memorial also serves as the Australian National Memorial to all the Australian soldiers with no known grave in France during World War I.

Allan was awarded 3 medals. The 1914–15 Star, The British War Medal and The Victory Medal.

Allan’s name is located at panel 66 on the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial.