Allen, Robert
No.5794 Private Robert Allen – 28th Battalion
Robert Allen was born in Beverley Western Australia in 1886 to James & Sarah Allen. He had eleven siblings Both he and his brother attended Fremantle State School and later took up farming in Beverley & Pingelly. In early 1916 Robert married Florence Webb and they initially took up residence at her family house at 107 Duke Street East Fremantle. (later renumbered 43 Duke Street)
Robert enlisted into the AIF on the 19th April 1916 and was assigned to the 16th Reinforcements to the 28th Battalion with the regimental number 5794. He was 5 feet 6 inches in height; weighed 155 lbs; chest measurement of 37-38 inches; fresh complexion; grey eyes & light brown hair. He was of the Church of England faith.
He left Fremantle on the 10th October 1916 aboard the Suffolk and reached England in November 1916. After a month’s training in England, Robert was sent to France where he joined the 2nd Division Base Depot at Etaples. It wasn’t until the 17th January 1917 that he joined the 28th Battalion in the region of Flers. He was with the 28th through January & February, two very cold winter months, before being sent to hospital with mumps in early March 1917. He rejoined the battalion on the 17th March and on the 27th was wounded in action by shrapnel. He was evacuated to No.5 Australian Field Ambulance but unfortunately died of his wounds the same day.
He was buried in Pozieres British Cemetery Plot II.E.11
After his death his wife, Florence received a pension of 40/- fortnightly.
Robert’s family paid a high price in the war as Robert’s two brothers also died. Owen Allen, who lived in Claremont & Ernest Allen who lived in Beverley. Ernest (3026) died on October 12th 1917 while serving with the 48th Battalion and is buried in Buttes New British Cemetery. Owen served with the 16th Battalion (4744) and was killed in action at Mouquet Farm on the 31st August 1916. He has no known grave.
William Allen served in the 44th Battalion (854) and survived the war returning home in 1917.
Left to Right in the photo above; Ernest, Robert, William and Owen Allen