Allpike, Henry

No.988 Henry James Allpike – 1^st Remount Unit AIF

Henry, born in 1880, was one of three brothers who enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force, the others being Albert & Ernest. All the brothers had been born in Fremantle and Henry was working as a Horse Trainer in South Fremantle when he enlisted into the AIF.

He married Maud Taynton in 1908, though by the time he enlisted in 1915, he and Maud had separated, though he still lived with his sons William & Edward at 29 Wardie Street South Fremantle. (now 14 Wardie Street)

Henry enlisted into the AIF in October 1915 aged 40. He was passed as fit by the medical officer who found him to be 5 feet 7 inches in height; 124 lbs in weight; 32-34 inches in chest measurement; dark complexion, brown eyes & dark brown hair. His religious denomination was listed as Church of England.

Due to his experience training horses, Henry was assigned to the 4^th Squadron of the 1^st Remount Unit with the regimental number 988. Along with other WA men of this Remount unit he was initially sent to Melbourne where they embarked for service overseas on the A67 Orsova on the 12^th November 1915.

Henry didn’t remain long with the Remount unit as after his arrival in Egypt, he was admitted to No.1 AGH at Heliopolis and was diagnosed with Tuberculosis of the Lungs. He was returned to Australia on the hospital ship Karoola on the 20^th January 1916. Upon arrival in Fremantle he was transferred to No.8 AGH in South Terrace Fremantle. He stayed here for some time and on the 27^th April 1916 was recommended that he be sent to Wooroloo Sanatorium for further treatment.

Henry was discharged from the AIF on the 15^th April 1917 after which his wife Maud & sons William & Edward were granted a pension due to Henry being unable to work. Unfortunately Maud Allpike died in 1918 aged just 28.

Henry’s condition slowly deteriorated, and he died on the 8^th March 1920 at Perth Public Hospital. He was buried in Karrakatta Cemetery in the Anglican Section Plot OC.113. He has a war grave as his condition was seen to be exacerbated by his military service.

Both of Henry’s brothers survived the war, Albert Allpike served in the 11^th Battalion with Regimental number 402 and was invalided home from Gallipoli in October 1915 while Ernest who also served with the 11^th Battalion on Gallipoli later transferred to the Australian Provosts Corps and returned home to Fremantle in 1919.

(Photo from left to right Bertie, Ernest and Henry Allpike)