Frederick James Allison MM

Frederick James Allison MM

Personal Information
Date of Birth	28 Jul 1894
Place of Birth	South Australia
Death	2 Dec 1966 aged 72
Place of Death	Medina, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment	23 years 2 months
Description	6'0½" (1.84m) tall ; 170lbs 77.111 kg ; fair complexion ; blue eyes ; fair hair
Occupation	Miner
Religion	Presbyterian
Address	Maddington, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Mother , Mrs Anna Maria Caroline Neatfield
Military Information
Reg Number	7205
Date of Enlistment	18 Oct 1916
Rank	Corporal
Unit/Formation	16th Battalion, 24th reinforcement, B Company / 4th Brigade, 4th Division
Date of Embarkation	29 Jan 1917 ‒ 27 Mar 1917
Ship Embarked On	HMAT A28 Miltiades
Date of Return	22 Jul 1919 ‒ 30 Aug 1919
Ship Returned On	HMAT A38 Ulysses disembarked in Melbourne
Fate	Wounded in Action 8 Aug 1918 Returned to Australia
Monument	none as yet
Medals	Military Medal British War Medal Victory Medal

War Service

At Blackboy Hill after his enlistment, Frederick moved from 92 Depot to 22 Depot and then 95 Depot Companies before being transferred to the Depot Signal Company on 16 Dec 1916. A month later on 16 Jan 1917 he was reallocated to the 24th Reinforcement draft for the 16th Battalion. With them he embarked on HMAT A28 Miltiades in Fremantle on 29 Jan 1917. During the voyage to England Fred spent from 8-10 Mar 1917 in the ship's hospital with an undefined infection.

On arrival in England Fred was sent to the 4th Training Battalion at Codford to prepare for service on the Western Front. Ill again he was admitted to the Group Hospital at Codford from 30 Apr till 6 May 1917. While at Codford, on 11 Jun 1917 Fred was made an acting Lance Corporal. Reverting to Private on 9 Oct 1917, he travelled to France via Southampton the same day.

In France on 24 Oct 1917 at Devonshire Camp near Reninghelst, he joined the 16th Battalion as they withdrew from the front line at Broodseinde near Ypres. On 14 Jul 1918 he was appointed Lance Corporal and on 31 Jul 1918 he was awarded the Military Medal. Wounded in action on 8 Aug 1918 while his unit was in the front lines near Messines, he was initially treated by the 13th Field Ambulance for a shell wound to his arm before being discharged on 12 Aug 1918 to the Base Depot. He rejoined the 16th Battalion on 21 Aug 1918 at Dranoutre where the battalion was engaged in savaging works behind the front lines.

Fred was promoted Corporal on 2 Sep 1918 and was detached to the Australian Corps School from 4 Oct 1918 until 13 Dec 1918. In late December 1918 he was on leave in the UK when he required attention from an ingrown toenail on his left foot, and was admitted to the 3rd Scottish General Hospital in Glasgow. Transferred to the 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital on 21 Jan 1919, he was released on 24 Jan 1919 to enjoy the remainder of his leave before reporting to the AIF Headquarters for duties in the War Chest unit on 28 Jan 1919.

Fred was granted leave from 16 Jun - 16 Sep 1919 to work with the London Film Company in Twickenham, but this leave was cancelled on 26 Jun 1919 so that he could undertake pre-embarkation leave before the journey home.

Award Comment

Military Medal

"This man is brought to notice for extraordinary gallantry during operations against VAIRE and HAMEL woods, east of Corbie, on the morning of 4th Jul 1918. On one occasion during the advance when two enemy machine guns were observed to come into action, he rushed them from a flank; threw bombs in amongst the crews, bayoneted several of the enemy, thus enabling the guns to be captured with a minimum of damage to ourselves. He subsequently reserved his normal functions as Runner for his Company Commander, and carried out several difficult and extremely dangerous runs to Battalion Headquarters. Throughout the whole operation his conduct was of the highest order. He is strongly recommended for distinction. Recommended by E. Drake Brockman Lt Col CO 16th Battalion, endorsed by C.H. Brand Brig-General Commanding 4th Australian Division.

Post War

Fred also served during WW2, from 18 May 1940 until 12 Jan 1944 as a Lieutenant with the Military Prison and Detention Barracks unit.
Electoral Roll entries: 1922 - 25 in Derby road, West Subiaco an ironmonger; 1929 with Elizabeth at 9 Loma street, Cottesloe, traveler; 1931 at 24 Loma street Cottesloe, traveler; 1943 at 6 Clarendon street Cottesloe, traveler; 1954 - 1958 at 41 Broome street, Cottesloe, traveler.

Notes

Identified via a search using the AIF project. For more information about the history and heritage of the City of Gosnells, please contact the Heritage Coordinator on 9391 6011