Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Allen Samuel Moore was born in July 1893 in Adelaide, SA. At the age of 21, he decided to enlist in the army shortly after Australia joined the war effort in Europe. Prior to enlisting his job was being a boundary rider which entailed working on farming properties repairing and maintaining the fences to ensure livestock don’t stray off the property. He didn’t have any prior service in the military, was single and the only person he listed in his documentation was his mother, Jane Moore who lived on Arthur Street in Unley with him. He didn’t have criminal records and he passed his medical examination allowing him to serve as a private in the Army.

Allen Samuel Moore was enlisted at Morphettville, SA on 21st August 1914 and he was embarked for his training on the 20th October 1914 but his records do not state what ship he travelled on or where he went for training before he left for duties overseas. In total he spent approximately 138 days training within Australia. He spent his military service time in the 10th battalion but little is known of which unit or company he was part of.  During his service he had contracted a n um ber of medical conditions that required treatment. Unfortunately these diseases were very common at the time. He was wounded in action but little is known as to what injuries were sustained or whether the injuries resulted in him requiring hospitalisation or treatment.

Allen Samuel Moore had gone absent without leave and had failed to report back to the army. This happened on more than one occasion each time resulting in him eventually turning himself in back to the military. As punishment, he served a total of 14 days of detention and 91 days with out pay. On another occasion he also whilst on leave, failed to return on his scheduled date and returned after an extended period of time. This finally resulted in him being court-martialled and demoted from lance corporal to private.

He had spent a total of 4 years and 238 days in military service before being discharged on the 15th of April 1919 due to being found Medically unfit.

For the ability to be discharged quickly from service, Allen Samuel Moore signed an agreement to assume all responsibility for his health and to absolve the Defence Department from all further expenses relating to his condition.

When he returned from the war Allen Samuel Moore settled back in Adelaide, married and had 2 children. He didn’t go back to being a boundary rider but instead got a new job as a telegraph linesman where he would install and maintain telegraph lines.

He passed away on 2nd of October 1930 at Lower Mitcham. He was buried in the Australian Imperial Force section at the West Terrace Cemetery and features on the Unley Town Hall WW1 Honour Board.