Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Australian Army Medical Corps - 2/5 Commando Squadron

Son of Francis Joseph and Ellen Allsopp, of Baulkham Hills, New South Wales, Australia; husband of Edna Pearl Allsopp. M.B., B.S. (Syd.).

"TENDED WOUNDED FOR HOUR UNDER FIRE!  How Captain Allsopp Met His Death.  OFFICIAL ACCOUNT OF DOCTOR'S HEROISM

How for an hour Captain R. J. Allsopp tended the wounded under incessant enemy machine gun and rifle fire before he was fatally wounded himself near Balikpapen on July 1 is told in the official report of his bravery. "Captain Allsopp's action," the report says, "undoubtedly saved the lives of at least three badly wounded men at the cost of his own life, for which he showed not the slightest consideration." Captain Allsopp was the Medical Officer of the 2/5 Australian Commando Squadron. On the afternoon of July 1, No. 1 Section of D Troop of the Squadron was trapped in an enemy ambush in open country north-east of Balikpapan. Shortly after the commencement of the action, the officer commanding the section and a trooper were wounded. "Although their position was in the open on a low spur which was swept with the fire of at least six enemy light machine guns and one heavy machine gun," the report says, "Captain Allsopp, with total disregard for his personal safety, went forward to them and dressed their wounds, sending the officer back as walking wounded, and then proceeding to drag the trooper to safety. "After proceeding some thirty yards, still under fire, the trooper was again hit and Captain Allsopp was wounded in the left thigh. As the trooper was dying, and in spite of his own wound, Captain Allsopp crawled to another trooper who was wounded, dressed his wounds, then carried water to the dying man. "He then proceeded to the assistance of another wounded trooper who was unable to extricate himself, dressed the soldier's wounds, then carried him to safety. When returning to bring out another badly wounded man, Captain Allsopp was fatally wounded by fragments from a mortar bomb.

"In all Captain Allsopp was tending the wounded in the open for approximately an hour under incessant enemy machine gun and rifle fire. "His actions throughout were cool and deliberate. He remained forward even after the withdrawal of the survivors of the trapped section, and refused to return to safety. Captain Allsopp's action undoubtedly saved the lives of at least three badly wounded men at the cost of his own life, for which he showed not the slightest consideration. "The extreme courage, fortitude, and devotion to duty displayed by this officer in the face of such odds will ever remain an inspiration to the men of his unit." Captain Allsopp was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Allsopp, of Baulkham Hills, who have received from Major Ian Kerr the following letter:

"I wish to express the deep sympathy of the Squadron and myself in your bereavement at the passing of your son Ray. To him we owe a debt which can never be repaid. During his service with the Squadron his efforts in the welfare of the men, his unceasing studies, and the manner in which he applied his energies to the training of his staff earnied him the complete confidence and respect of us all. "I have never known a unit medical officer to equal him; nor have I ever known a braver man. The courage displayed by Ray in our first action was insuperable, and you may find some consolation in the fact that his passing was by way of the supreme sacrifice in devoting his life to save those of our wounded. Words can never express our feelings. The memory of Captain Allsopp's extreme bravery and devotion to duty will never be forgotten by us, and must ever be an inspiration to those of us left to carry on the task. Your loss is indeed a great one, and the passing of such a brilliant young doctor and courageous soldier is indeed a loss to his fellow men. We can never pay adequate tribute to the supreme example set us by your son. May I again express our grief and pray that yourselves and family may find pride and solace in your sorrow, knowing that Ray's passing was due to his magnificent bravery and self sacrifice in the salvation of his fellows." - from the Cumberland Argus and Fruit Growers Advocate 29 Aug 1945 (nla.gov.au)