PALLAS, John Vincent
| Service Numbers: | 1775, 1775A |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 29 April 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 21st Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Koroit, Victoria, Australia, 1887 |
| Home Town: | Koroit, Moyne, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Koroit State School |
| Occupation: | Carrier |
| Died: | Killed in action, Pozieres, France, 29 July 1916 |
| Cemetery: |
Pozières British Cemetery Plot I, Row G, Grave No. 44 |
| Memorials: | Koroit War Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 29 Apr 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 1775, 22nd Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 16 Jul 1915: | Involvement Private, 1775, 22nd Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '14' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Demosthenes embarkation_ship_number: A64 public_note: '' | |
| 16 Jul 1915: | Embarked Private, 1775, 22nd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Demosthenes, Melbourne | |
| 18 Sep 1915: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 1775A, 21st Infantry Battalion, ANZAC / Gallipoli |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Brooks
John Pallas was the son of John and Ellen Pallas, of Koroit, Victoria, Australia. He was six feet tall and over 12 stone when he enlisted. John was aboard the Southland when it was torpedoed on its way to Gallipoli. He served at Gallipoli and then was killed at Pozieres on the 29 July 1916. The 21st Battalion was tasked with carrying supplies to the front line at Pozieres. A shell explosion on a communication trench killed about 6 men of the unit, according to an eye witness. John’s remains were found during 1919, along with six members of the 21st Battalion, in a common grave marked by one Battalion cross. John’s father was not notified of his burial in Pozieres British Cemetery until 1925.
The local paper, the Koroit Sentinel and Tower Hill Advocate, printed the following on 9 September 1916.
“The news of the death of Private John Pallas was heard throughout the town and district with manifestations of deep sorrow, and great sympathy for the bereaved parents and other relatives, who, however, have the consolation of knowing that their boy died fighting a noble cause.
Private Pallas took a keen interest in many institutions open to young men in the town, having been captain of the fire brigade for a term, also president of the A.N.A., and a member of the Friendly Societies' Committee.
After leaving his native land as a soldier he had some stirring adventures, having been in the transport "Southland" when torpedoed.
Upon the receipt of the news the flags at public and private buildings in the town were flying at half-mast, as a mark of respect.”
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