ALLEN, Harold John
| Service Number: | 28 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 34th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Singleton, New South Wales, Australia, 1894 |
| Home Town: | Singleton, Northumberland, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Aberdeen, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation: | Engine Driver |
| Died: | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia , 18 July 1957, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Aberdeen General Cemetery, NSW Anglican F |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 2 May 1916: | Involvement Private, 28, 34th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '17' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Hororata embarkation_ship_number: A20 public_note: '' | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 May 1916: | Embarked Private, 28, 34th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Hororata, Sydney |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by chris rowland
Harold John Allen or “Hal” to most who knew him is a returned veteran of WW1, service number 28, records indicate joining the 1st Battalion AIF - serving in Gallipoli for the 2nd and 3rd wave of troops, then moved onto France & Belgium, other records state he was part of the 34th AIF this possibly may have been when the transfer to France happened, boots used to boost numbers against German troops, at the age of 21yrs, he embarked from Sydney 29/01/1916, returned 11/05/1919 - his rank was Private.
He is the eldest son to John & Sarah J (Smith) Allen, one of 6 children, 4 girls 2 boys, born Singleton, moved to Aberdeen, records indicate he was off fresh complexion, brown eyes, black hair, stood a short 5’ 3¾” tall.
Records indicate in his late 30’s, he married Sylvia Elise Lillian McDonald in 1932 in Marrickville Sydney, possibly had a son Raymond John Allen born 1933, it appears they lived their life in Sydney, where Harold passed 18/07/1957 - he is buried at Aberdeen Cemetery Anglican section, the inscription on his headstone reads as follows:
In Loving Memory of ~ Late Battalion 1st A.I.F. ~ Son of John and Sarah ~ Aged 63 Years ~ At Rest - No mention of his wife or son.
I wonder about the health issues back then, many passing at a young age, his father John died in 1909 age 42
HJA is listed on the honour roll at both Aberdeen & Scone Historical Society NSW, while he is my Great Uncle I do not remember meeting him, my age being 5yrs, when he passed, but my father spoke of his Uncle Hal & Aunt Sylvia, unfortunately photos, if any of days gone by, have been kept by others, so unable to share here, but recognition from his Great Niece applies.
“Thank You for your service”