Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Allan Glen - 1852 9th Infantry Battalion
The Glen Family, Thomas 45 (Farmer), Isabella 45 (Wife), Allan 22 (butcher), Lily 18 (teacher), George 14 (Labourer), Thomas 18 (Butcher), Mona 8 (Child), immigrated to Queensland from Scotland in 1910. They travelled on the Opher arriving in Brisbane on 19 May 1910.
The Qld electoral rolls show Thomas Glen Snr and Jnr living at Wooroolin, Farmers from 1912 to 1914 but Isabella and 2 eldest children Alan & Helen were living at West Booie. Unsure where young George & Mona were at that time but the 1919 electoral roll shows George at Wooroolin with his parents.
The Wooroolin farm was named West Brae and was Por 40 on what is now known as Woods Rd and where I remember Les Freeman and his family living.
WW1 commenced in Jul 1914 and this is about the time the Glen family or at least some of them lived near Sydney. I am thinking it was to give Thomas Jnr the opportunity to further his life as a Painter. There was an article in the newspaper during their time at Wooroolin about his skills as an artist.
Both Thomas Snr & Isabella were in Sydney 1919 when they wrote a letter to the Army records office advising that they were moving back to Wooroolin and had been unable to advise their son Thomas as he was still overseas.
Thomas Snr & Isabella remained at Wooroolin until about 1930 when they moved to the Coogee area of Sydney to be near their sons George & Thomas Jnr.

Allan Glen, aged 27, enlisted in the 9th Battalion, 4th Reinforcement on 6 Mar 1915 and his unit embarked from Brisbane, on board HMAT A15 Star of England on 8 April 1915. He gave his father Thomas Glen, Wooroolin as his NOK. He stood 5 feet 9 ins in his socks and had a Dark complexion with dark hair and Grey eyes. His distinguishing feature was a tattoo mark “Thistle” on left arm. Allan served at Egypt, Gallipoli and the Western Front.
The 3rd Brigade was the covering force for the ANZAC landing on 25 April 1915, and so was the first ashore at around 4.30 am. The battalion was heavily involved in establishing and defending the front line of the ANZAC beachhead. It served at ANZAC until the evacuation in December 1915.
After the withdrawal from Gallipoli, the battalion returned to Egypt. It was split to help form the 49th Battalion and bought up to strength with reinforcements. In March 1916 the battalion sailed for France and the Western Front. From then until 1918 the battalion took part in operations against the German Army.
His brother Thomas also served during WW1 - I wonder if they ever metup during their leave in UK!
During a period of leave in UK Allan married a Scottish lass, Clara Winifred Adams, on 3rd October 1918 at Blythewood, England. Thomas & Clara returned to Australia in June 1919 and their son was born early 1920. Unfortunately this marriage did not succeed. Clara returned to the UK with their son in Dec 1920 and they were divorced in 1923.
I have not been able to find out more about Allan other than he died in 1947 and is buried at Melbourne General Cemetery.