ALLISON, Robert
| Service Number: | 166 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 1 June 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Lieutenant |
| Last Unit: | Siege Artillery Brigade |
| Born: | Glasgow, Scotland, date not yet discovered |
| Home Town: | Fremantle, Fremantle, Western Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Memorials: | Fremantle Scots Church Honour Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 1 Jun 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Corporal, 166, 55th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 17 Jul 1915: | Involvement Corporal, 166, Siege Artillery Brigade, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '4' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Orsova embarkation_ship_number: A67 public_note: '' | |
| 17 Jul 1915: | Embarked Corporal, 166, Siege Artillery Brigade, HMAT Orsova, Melbourne | |
| 3 May 1918: | Discharged AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 166 |
Short Biography
Allison, Robert was born in the Parish of Newton Mearns near Glasgow in the County of Renfrewshire, Scotland on 14.12.1891. He was a labourer and a farmer aged 24 years 5 months when he enlisted in Fremantle on the 1st June 1915. Robert was described as being 5 feet 9 inches tall, with a chest measurement of 36-39 ½ inches, ruddy complexion, blue eyes, light brown hair. His religious denomination was listed as Church of Scotland. His mother, Mrs J Allison still lived in Port Dundas, Glasgow. Next of Kin was his wife, Mrs Agnes Allison (née Gray), of 20 Louisa St South Fremantle. They married on 4 June 1915. His previous service was listed as Ralia or R.A.A. (3 years and 10 months). He was given the service number 166, Officer W2515 and appointed to the Siege Brigade AIF on 10th June 1915 in Melbourne. Robert embarked from Melbourne on 17.7.15 on HMAT Orsova A67. Initially a gunner, he was quickly promoted from 1.4.1916 to Corporal with the 55th Battery 36th Siege Bde RAGA, then Acting Sergeant. In France with the 36th heavy Artillery Group, he was promoted to 2 Lieutenant on 1.9.16. On 25.11.16 he was sent to T.M. School and rejoined his unit on the 9.12.16. On 3.5.17 Robert was wounded in action but remained on duty. The following day, he was admitted to the 7th Stationary Hospital in Boulogne with a contusion on his right leg. He rejoined his unit on the 17th. In October 1917, he was admitted to hospital with acute Synovitis of his knee and evacuated to England. On the 12th of November, he was transferred to Bath mineral hospital, then transferred to Cobham Hall on the 26.1.18. On the 1.2.18 he embarked on HT Balmoral Castle for return to Australia still suffering from the D.A.H neurosis injury to his knee. A knee tonsillectomy was also performed. His appointment was terminated on the 3rd May 1918. Robert died in Palmyra on 20 September 1972, aged 82. He was cremated and his ashes placed in the family grave in Fremantle Cemetery, Presbyterian section Mon EE 0705.
References:
NAA WW1 Service Records, barcode 3032174, WA Cemeteries Deceased Search.
Submitted 27 October 2025 by Helen Harmer
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