Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

This ANZAC Day was like not like others. It is a time for reflection.

Although Allen was only 23 when he
enlisted on 1 September 1914, a matter of days after the First World War was declared, Allen declared on his handwritten and signed Enlistment Form he already had two years service in the 16th Australian Light Horse (SA).

This in keeping with family tradition.

His father Arthur was a Warrant Officer in the 22nd Light Horse
Regiment, SA. His Uncle, Grandpa James served in South Africa 1900-1902 in the 2nd South Australian Mounted Rifles, and after Federation, with the 1st Commonwealth Light Horse in his second tour of duty.

A Horse Breaker by trade, and the Grandson of the first landholder in the Second Valley, South Australia; Allen was the living truth of the Legend of the tough Outback blokes who became ANZAC.

The good natured young man had already worked his way around the country by his early twenties. On the verge of a promising career in the Mounted SA Police and a more settled life, he was amongst the first to put his hand up for Duty.

He was working in outback NSW at the time and joined in their colours. He and his comrades left Sydney on the Star of Victoria in October 1915, for training in Egypt.They landed in November.

Our Lighthorsemen brought their own beloved steeds, for which the Commonwealth paid them 30 pounds.

Having seen his records, Allen played up in Egypt, went AWOL and was reprimanded for Disobeying Orders re curfews etc., just as the stories of the Lighthorsemen as tearaways are still told in Egypt today.

They worked hard and played hard.

Just after the ANZAC landings the Lighthorsemen were called upon from Egypt to bolster a front under enormous strain. As outback men used to going long periods without food and drink, and sleeping rough if at all, they were considered ideal reinforcements.

They left their beloved horses behind.

Allen and his mates landed in early May, just days after the initial landings on this day, 25th April, in 1915.

Allen was a machine gunner in C Company, 1st Australian Lighthorse, ANZAC. He celebrated his 24th birthday on the battlefield.

Quinn's Post was the most dangerous and forward point of the entire front.

On May 18/19, Kemahl Atatürk launched a massive surpise attack on Quinn's Post. If the Defence broke the entire front would collapse.

Against three to one odds, the ANZACS held in conditions difficult to imagine.

Allen was Killed in Action at Quinn's Post.

Can only imagine what the news must have been for our family at the time. 100 years on it hits me hard.

Not having his body returned would have compounded the family's grief, enormously.

At least we know where he Rests. I am not sure if anyone in the family has had the chance to visit him. Perhaps, one day we will.

His story is unique to our family, but like those of many thousands.

The sacrifices of our young Nation were enormous. 70 per cent of our volunteer Army became casualties. One of the three or four highest rates of all nations in WW1.

The price of Victory was very high.

If Britain, the Commonwealth and our Allies had not won the Great War, we would not be here today.

Lest We Forget

Allan Stuart McArthur is my Great Uncle, his sister Myrtle is my great grandmother.
Had only recently found this out.

Rhys Hewett - Adelaide South Australia

I have copied the words of a newspaper artivle if the time is Allan’s death.


The first volunteer from the Yankalilla
district to fall in the service of his coun-
try in the present war was Private Allen
Stuart McArthur, whose name appears
among the New South Wales dead, the
gallant young soldier having been killed
in action at the Dardanelles on May 30.
Private McArthur was the only son of
Warrant-Officer A. McArthur, Yankalilla
(late squadron sergeant-major of the
22nd Light Horse Regiment). He was
born at Second Valley South Australia,
but, with his parents, removed to Yan-
kalilla some years ago. The young hero's
twenty-fourth birthday was celebrated in
the fighting line. Private McArthur,
who was formerly connected with the
22nd Light Horse Regiment, happened to
be in New South Wales at the outbreak
of the war and his eagerness to serve
led him to join the colors in that State.
He was a Member of the First Expedi-
tionary Force, 1st A. L. H. Regiment. In
enlisting for the war Private McArthur
relinquished a position in the South Aus-
tralian Mounted Police to which he had
just been appointed. He was of an un-
usually cheerful disposition, and had a
host of friends in different parts of the
Commonwealth.

Beloved son of Great Uncle Arthur and Great Auntie Jeanie. Beloved nephew of Grandpa James Florence (Boer War) and first cousin of our Dear Dad, Herald Florence.

South Australia's Finest.

Rear In Peace Dear Cousin.

We Will Remember You.
At the Rising of the Sun and the Setting of the Sun.

Lest We Forger.

John, Gina and Maria.