Phillip Selwyn Allen

Phillip Selwyn Allen

Photo courtesy RSL Virtual War Memorial
Personal Information
Date of Birth	unknown 1874
Place of Birth	South Melbourne, Victoria
Death	4 Aug 1940
Place of Death	Spencer's Brook, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment	40 years old
Description	5'9" (1.75m) tall ; 144lbs 65.317 kg ; fresh complexion ; blue eyes ; brown hair ; several tattoos on chest, and right arm
Occupation	Stockman
Religion	Church of England
Address	NOK Gosnells, Western Australia, soldier c/- PO Nullagine
Next of Kin	Sister , Mrs Blanche Tipping
Military Information
Reg Number	1304
Date of Enlistment	30 Jul 1915
Rank	Sergeant
Unit/Formation	10th Light Horse Regiment, 10th reinforcement
Date of Embarkation	13 Oct 1915
Ship Embarked On	HMAT A32 Themistocles
Date of Return	12 Nov 1917
Ship Returned On	HMAT A18 Wiltshire
Monument	Gosnells Road Board Honour Roll
Medals	1914-15 Star British War Medal Victory Medal

Pre War

In 1893 married 18 year old Ethel Rose Lamble in Victoria. Ethel died in 1956 at Mount Margaret, Western Australia. However, oat enlistment he gave his sister as his NOK.
Previous experience in South Africa (2¾ years with the 5th West Australian Mounted Infantry during Boer War) as well as serving in militia in Perth in both Artillery and Infantry.
Electoral Roll entries: 1903 Government Print Office Perth, caretaker; 1913 Mulga Downs, Roebourne, contractor; 1915 Nullagine, labourer

War Service

Entered camp on 31 Jul 1915 and almost immediately was allocated to the 10th reinforcement draft for the 10th Light Horse Regiment. Although he would have arrived in Egypt by early November 1915 there is nothing in his records to indicate that he had seen service on Gallipoli.

On 29 Jan 1916 he was appointed Lance Corporal, but forfeited this rank when on 30 May 1916 he had used obscene and offensive language to an Officer, and for neglect of duty. In Jun 1916 he required 10 days hospital treatment from the 54th Casualty Clearing Station for conjunctivitis. He again need treatment in Nov 1916 for 2 days to overcome an eyesight issue before on 14 Sep 1916 at Bir El Abd where he was again appointed Lance Corporal, followed on 11 Oct when he was made Corporal.

On 2 Nov 1916 he entered hospital again briefly at El Maler. Promoted Temporary Sergeant on 29 Dec 1916 and then confirmed in the rank on 15 Jan 1917 before spending a couple of days with the 3rd Light Horse Field Ambulance with a septic hand during March in Belah. Another stint in hospital, this time for 10 days occurred in July at Marakeb, followed by time in a rest camp at Port Said. Recovered he returned to duty on 7 Sep 1917, but was again suffering ill health on 12 Oct 1917 at Shellal and was placed on a hospital train for Rafa where he entered the 65th Casualty Clearing Station on 13 Oct, and via another hospital train he was sent on to El Arish, arriving on the 14th. By now diagnosed with debility due to his age, he was transferred from the 24th Stationary Hospital to Cairo where he entered the 14th Australian General Hospital at Abassia on 17 Oct 1917. On 29 Oct he was transferred to a rest camp at Port Said, preparatory to being shipped home on 12 Nov 1917 for a 6 month rest.

Return to Australia was by ship to Melbourne and then by rail to Perth. Discharged by the 5th Military District on 6 Feb 1918.

Post War

Electoral Roll entry: 1935 at 37 Reserve street, Claremont, no occupation.

Notes

On 24 Dec 1916 Phillip was recommended for an award following an action at Magdhaba, but it was not granted.

"Corporal Allen was in charge of a Lewis Gun for detachment during the action and showed remarkable initiative and dash in pushing his gun into the forefront of battle. In the final charge he, together with Corporal Conway covered the advance of Lt Cox and his troops on the enemy's final position and I consider his work thoroughly worthy of Special Mention." TJ Todd Lt Col CO 10th Light Horse.AWM

Issued with King's Silver Wound Badge No A93827 (A duplicate was issued on 25 Aug 1937).

External Links

• AIF Project