Allery, Henry

No.396 Corporal Henry Thomas Allery – 11^th Battalion AIF

Henry Thomas Allery was born in Chatham England in 1877 to William & Julia Allery. In 1902 Henry joined the British Army and spent twelve years as a member of the East Kent Regiment (the Buffs). In 1914 he embarked from England for Western Australia where he arrived in Fremantle, and he took up residence in the Port City.

After arriving in Fremantle, he began working as a bricklayer, however he didn’t get long to practice this trade as war was soon declared. 

Henry wasted no time in offering his service and would have been among the first at the recruitment office in Fremantle on the 14^th August 1914. He was medically examined by Captain Brennan of Fremantle Hospital and was found to be 5 feet 6 inches tall, weight of 97 lbs; chest measurement of 35 inches; dark complexion; brown eyes & brown hair. His religious denomination was Church of England.

Henry was originally assigned to D Company of the newly forming 11^th Battalion with the regimental number 396 and the rank of Corporal. After completing training at Blackboy Hill Camp, the 11^th Battalion embarked from Fremantle on the 2^nd November 1914 aboard the A11 Ascanius. On arrival in Egypt the original 8 Company formation of the Battalion was halved into 4 Companies, so Henry’s D company became B Company.

The 3^rd Brigade was chosen to be the Australian brigade to make the initial landing at Gallipoli, and Henry’s 11^th Battalion landed in the vicinity of North Beach. Henry was wounded in the foot on April 25^th and was evacuated back to the hospital ship where he was taken back to hospital in Alexandria arriving on the 1^st of May. He was released from hospital as fit on the 1^st of June and made his way back to Gallipoli, arriving on 25^th June.

Unfortunately, Henry was not yet back two weeks when he was badly wounded in the abdomen by shrapnel. He was taken to the field ambulance for immediate treatment and from there was sent to the hospital ship, HMHS Neuralia, for further medical care. Unfortunately, the wounds proved too severe, and Henry died of his wounds the same day. He was buried at sea and is thus commemorated on the 11th Battalion panel on the Lone Pine Memorial Gallipoli.

His parents at Whittaker Street Chatham England received his effects and medals.