Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

From Gary Mitchell

Awaiting memorialisation at Sandgate Cemetery.
102 years ago today, on the 16th October 1917, Corporal John Robert Allan, 1st Australian Field Artillery Brigade, ironmonger (D. Cohen & Company), from "Craigilee", 39 Elizabeth Street, Mayfield, New South Wales, fell at the 1st Battle of Passchendaele, age 24 years, 11 months.
https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1663154

Born at Islington, New South Wales on the 1st November 1892 to John Robert (died 1936) and Mary Elizabeth (died 1942) Allan, Jack enlisted March 1915 at Liverpool, N.S.W.

Mr Allan was killed by a gas shell at Westhoek Ridge, and sadly his remains were never recovered, so his name has been inscribed on The Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial (Panel 11), Belgium.
https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1504339
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article138746092

Jack’s name has been remembered on the Waratah Park Memorial Gates (photos, unveiled on the 23rd February 1921), Mayfield-St Johns Presbyterian Church Roll of Honour, Waratah Presbyterian Church Roll of Service and the Wickham Superior Public School Roll of Honour.

There is no memorial inscription on the headstone at his parent’s grave, and I am unable to erect a memorial cross, so I have placed poppies to honour Jack’s supreme sacrifice for God, King and Country over 100 years ago. PRESBYTERIAN-2NE. 24.

http://sandgate.northerncemeteries.com.au/index.php/war-heroes/world-war-1-memorialised-2?id=51&aso=exact&s_f=id&data_search=418211#2
Older twin brothers Duncan Gilles (Reg No-3752, born 1891, died 1961) and Ronald Victor (Reg No-8338, born 1891, died?) also served 1st A.I.F.
Younger brother Cecil Richard (Reg No-712, born 1898, died 1983) also served 1st A.I.F.
Lest We Forget.

Corporal John R. Allan, was the first of four sons of Mr. and Mrs. John R. Allan, of "Craig Lea," Elizabeth street, Mayfield, to enlist. He served with the artillery in Egypt, Gallipoll, Belgium, and France. His parents on several occasions received word from indirect sources of his great skill as an artilleryman. Prior to enlisting he was engaged in the ironmongery department of D. Cohen and Company, and was highly popular with both the heads of the firm and employees. His other three brothers Ronald, Duncan, and Cecil—followed him to war, and the latter had his thigh badly fractured in July last, after only joining his brother for eight days, and whom he had not seen for two years. John was wounded 21 July 1917 from a gas attack but quickly found himself back with his mates in September of that year and was killed in action a month later on 16 October 1917.