ALLEN, Samuel Leslie
| Service Number: | 2124 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 11 January 1916, Sydney |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 55th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Wolumba, New South Wales, Australia, 1889 |
| Home Town: | Bibbenluke, Bombala, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Bombala and Bibbenluke Public Schools, and Hereford House Training College, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation: | School Teacher |
| Died: | Died of wounds, France, 19 May 1917 |
| Cemetery: |
Grevillers British Cemetery Plot 111, Row A. Grave 18 |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Bombala War Memorial, Parramatta NSW Public School Teachers KIA Honour Roll, Parramatta NSW Public School Teachers Who Served Abroard Honour Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 11 Jan 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Sydney | |
|---|---|---|
| 7 Sep 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 2124, 55th Infantry Battalion, HMAT A15 Port Sydney from Sydney, disembarking Portsmouth England on 29th October 1917 | |
| 18 May 1917: | Wounded AIF WW1, Private, 2124, 55th Infantry Battalion, Wounded in action and succumbed to wounds on 19th May 1917 |
Private Samuel Leslie Allen.
In memory of Private Samuel Leslie Allen (Service No. 2124), 55th Battalion, who died of wounds 100 years ago on 19th May 1917, aged 28 years, during the 2nd Battle of Bullecourt. He had received gunshot wounds to the right leg and left shoulder on 18th May. According to his mate and fellow MFSR marcher, Private Halloran Archer, who was with Les at the time, Les’s leg was shot off, and Halloran helped to carry him to a nearby aid station. Halloran’s letter to Les’s mother, explaining the way Les died, was later turned into a very successful and moving song called “Dear Mrs. Allen”, written and performed by Kevin Baker. Les was born at Wolumla, and was a schoolteacher at Bibbenluke at the time of his enlistment. He was the 2nd of 12 children born to Samuel John and Elizabeth (nee Wilson) Allen. His brother Walter Edwin, also served briefly in WWI, having enlisted shorty before hostilities ceased, he then served in WWII. Three other brothers, John Keith and Joseph Lionel and Franklin Lyle, also served in WWII. Les is buried at Grevillers British Cemetery, France. Lest We Forget.
Submitted 26 April 2022 by Lynette Turner
Biography contributed by Faithe Jones
Son of Samuel John and Elizabeth Allen, of "Glenalva," Esher St., Burwood, New South Wales. Born at Wolumba, New South Wales.
FOREVER WITH THE LORD GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN
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