Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

'At the age of 23 years, John Allan was a nominated immigrant to Queensland from his birth country of Scotland. Margaret E. Kirke of Stanley Street in Townsville, North Queensland, who was a personal friend of John Allan, lodged the application on 19 January 1911. On 2nd August 1911 John boarded the ship Rippingham Grange at London. The ship was fitted with refrigerated cargo space for the carrying of frozen meat as well as with passenger accommodation.

The voyage was via Torres Strait and on 16th September 1911 they reached John's final destination, Townsville. The first instance of a change in the spelling of his surname was found on the 1915 Commonwealth Electoral Roll when he was listed as John Allen, commercial traveller, whose place of living was care of Kirke, Stanley Street, in Townsville. Margaret and Agnes Kirke, who were both occupied with home duties, lived at Stanley Street. A brother of the Kirke sisters, George Kinloch Kirke, lived at Victoria Street in Townsville where he was a Presbyterian minister. John Allan was a commercial traveller for the local wholesale drapery business of Hollis Hopkins Co. Ltd, whose premises were in Sturt Street in Townsville.

On 20 September 1915 John Allan enlisted into the AIF and was allocated to the 26th Battalion, 7th Reinforcement, and later the 12th Battalion. He returned to Australia on 13 March 1918 suffering from trench fever. Trench fever was a highly infectious disease transmitted by lice, which infested the soldiers in the trenches. On 25 June 1918 he was discharged as medically unfit at the 1st Military District. After the war John Allan resumed the occupation of commercial traveller.' READ MORE (discoveringanzacs.naa.gov.au)

'By the Bingera on Monday night, Messrs. John Allan, John Fraser (/explore/people/693121)and John Phillips (/explore/people/164245) three members of the staff of Messrs. Hollis Hopkins and Co., Ltd., left to join the forces at Enoggera on their way to the front. Prior to leaving, Mr Hopkins, on behalf of the staff presented each with a silver wristlet watch and case. In doing so, he said we all honored them for the step they were taking in going to fight for their King and country. After giving a brief resume of the doings in the war, he mentioned that the firm had decided to make up any difference in pay, and also to give them their positions back on their return from the war. The firm had decided to do this to all members of the staff who went to the front. They carried with them the best wishes of their fellow employees, who hoped to have them back again amongst them safe and well at the end of the war. Each of the recipients suitably responded.' from Townsville Daily Bulletin 23 Sep 1915 (nla.gov.au)