Allison, Robert
Lieutenant Robert Allison - 2nd Divisional Artillery AIF
Robert Allison was born in Glasgow Scotland 14th December 1891. He had his early years and was educated in Glasgow. He joined the British Army and he would continue this service in Australia.
Robert arrived in Fremantle in 1911 aboard the vessel Roon. He joined the Permanent Artillery of the Australian Permanent Forces and was based at the RAGA Barracks in Burt St Fremantle. He was based for the next few years at the Fremantle Artillery Barracks in Burt Street Fremantle and also worked at the forts on Arthur Head and Fort Forrest.
When the Great War began, the permanent Gunners were retained in Australia due to the threat of German Naval ships. However when that threat eased, the Gunners were able to enlist and were replaced in their role in Australia by reservists. There had been a call for experienced Heavy Artillery Gunners on the Western Front.
However before he had enlisted, Robert was married in 1915 in Fremantle to Agnes Young. They set up residence at 20 Louisa Street South Fremantle. (later renamed to 6 Louisa Street)
Many of the Permanent Gunners who were based at the Fremantle Artillery Barracks were able to enlist on the 1st June 1915. Robert was among them and was passed as fit by the medical examiner who recorded Robert's details as;
Height - 5 feet 9 inches tall;
Weight - 168lbs;
Chest Measurement - 36-39 inches;
Complexion - Ruddy;
Eyes - Blue;
Hair - Light Brown.
Robert was given the regimental number 166. Upon his successful enlistment, the men of the permanent artillery from Fremantle were sent across to Melbourne to join their fellow artillerymen and after further training, they embarked on the H.M.A.T. “Orsova” on the 17th July 1915.
However prior to their departure, the men were marched through the streets of Melbourne, as seen below (Published in the Australasian July 1915)
From September 1915 to February 1916 the men of the 36th Heavy Artillery Group trained in England in preparation for their service in France. Robert was assigned to the 55th Battery.
On the 27th February 1916 Robert and the 36th HAG landed at Boulogne and made their way to the battlefield. On the 16th March 1916 they sustained their first casualties when the billets they were in at Mont St Eloy were bombarded by the Germans. A few were killed and many wounded, including some of his fellow Fremantle Gunners, however Robert came through unscathed.
In April 1916 Robert was promoted to Sergeant. He served with the 55th Siege Battery through moat 1916 participating in such actions as the Battle of the Somme. Robert had been doing good work at the Battery and in September 1916 he was promoted to Second Lieutenant. He was then transferred for service to the 2nd Australian Division Artillery.
He was initially assigned to the 2nd Heavy and Medium Trench Mortar Battery. He served with this unit till November 1916 when he was sent to the Trench Mortar School. He was at this course till the 6th December 1916 when he rejoined his unit.
Robert served with the 2nd Division Trench Mortars through the first months of 1917, seeing action on the Somme and then in March and April 1917 around the Hindenburg Line Outpost Villages at Lagnicourt and Noreuil. In May 1917 his trench mortars provided much needed fire support for the infantry. On the 3rd May 1917 Robert was wounded by shrapnel in the leg but it was not a severe wound and Robert was back with his unit two weeks later.
In June 1917 the 2nd Australian Division was given rest period out of the line. However in June 1917 Robert was sent to the 5th Army Trench Mortar School. After a week's course he soon rejoined his unit.
The 2nd Division were on a rest period through to August 1917 but they were soon in action in September 1917 during the Third Battle of Ypres. On the 3rd October 1917 Robert was evacuated ill and was diagnosed with acute synovitis of the knee. He was sent to the 14th General Hospital at Boulogne and spent a week there before being shipped to England.
Upon arrival in England he was sent to the 3rd London General Hospital at Wandsworth. After a month there, Robert was sent to the Bath mineral hospital. Robert would be there till January 1918 when he was sent to Cobham Hall Hospital. He had now been assessed as medically unfit for further service.
On the 1st February 1918 Robert was sent aboard the hospital ship Balmoral Castle and set sail for home, reaching Fremantle on the 18th March 1918. He was then discharged from the AIF. Though Robert did resume his role with the Permanent Artillery at the Fremantle RAGA Barracks.
After reuniting with his wife, Robert and Agnes would have three children, Agnes, James and Jean. The family were now living at Wells Road East Fremantle/Palmyra. They were living here through to the 1930's and Robert was still based for much of the time at the Artillery Barracks. He was also awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. In the 1920's he was promoted to Staff Sergeant.
In 1938 Robertt was promoted to Quartermaster Sergeant and Honorary Lieutenant.
Roert served again during World War Two. In May 1941 he was in the Northern Command Sector and was at Rabaul with the Heavy Coastal Artillery. He was appointed then a Lieutenant in the Australian Instruction Corps (WP 629) and would later be promoted to Captain and serve in the 2nd AIF (WX33747). In August 1941 he was based at Thursday Island off Queensland and in 1942 he was based at Sydney Harbour's fixed defences and in 1943 was based at Port Kembla. In 1944 he was posted back to WA to serve with the Fremantle Coastal Artillery. Robert was discharged from service in 1947.
The family then returned to 26 Wells St Palmyra and lived here to the 1960's when they moved to Melville.
Robert died on the 20th September 1972 aged 82. He was cremated at Fremantle Cemetery and his ashes placed in the family grave. plot Presbyterian MON EE 0705.