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Born: Perth, Western Australia, Australia, 18th October, 1916.
Death: Geelong West, Victoria, Australia, 11th April, 2009.
Date of Enlistment: 11th March 1940.
Service No: DX174
Ranks Held:
Final Rank:
Conflicts/Operations: Second World War, 1939-1945
Death: Geelong West, Victoria, Australia, 11th April, 2009.
Date of Enlistment: 11th March 1940.
Service No: DX174
Ranks Held:
Final Rank:
Conflicts/Operations: Second World War, 1939-1945
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Award: George Medal (Imperial) Date Granted: 24th of August, 1945 Citation: Artillery: Saving life in river in New Guinea |
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Conspicuous courage at DANMAP River 27/28 January 1945.
“On 27th January, the 2/3rd Battalion of 16th Brigade were just completing their relief of the 2/8th Battalion when, about 1930 hours, the Danmap River suddenly rose in height approximately 20 feet at 2/3rd Battalion Headquarters and 15 feet near its mouth. The river was running at about 22 miles an hour and a wall of water about two feet high swept through part of the 2/3rd Battalion area. Soon men were struggling for their lives in the water. At Marlan, for example, 18 members of the Headquarters Company of 2/3rd Battalion were in position on a small island in the Danmap River. In normal times, it was easy to move to and from this island by means of a log spanning the river between the headquarters position on the bank and the island. But this night the river rose so suddenly that the troops on the island were cut off before they could be withdrawn. At that time, it did not appear very serious. Unfortunately, the water soon rose as described above and gathered such momentum that it completely washed away the island. The men clung to substantial trees until these crashed and joined the mad rush of the torrent. One by one the trees disappeared, carrying troops with them. To those standing on the bank, absolutely helpless, the morale of these infantrymen was awe inspiring. As each tree crashed, one heard a cry of “Here I go” or “My turn now” and so they passed down the river, some to be drowned. In the regimental area, matters were not quite so bad as this although they were bad enough. Ammunition and equipment soon went under water and jeeps were bogged up to their windscreens. All land communications to Marlan were washed away and the only means of communication which the whole area had with the outer world was a 2/2nd regimental line over a back route. R.H.Q. had to pass all messages to and from 16th Brigade. The 4th Battery advance party coming up to join the regiment found itself flooded out and one of the best and most efficient of the originals, Sergeant Alan Fleet, was swept away and presumably drowned. Personnel of 3rd Battery did magnificent work in rescuing marooned troops. In this work Lance-Bombardier McAllister played a most prominent part and was credited with rescuing thirteen men from drowning. For his brave deeds that night he was awarded the George Medal.” – Excerpt from ACTION FRONT: The Official History of the 2/2 Field Regiment.
“On 27th January, the 2/3rd Battalion of 16th Brigade were just completing their relief of the 2/8th Battalion when, about 1930 hours, the Danmap River suddenly rose in height approximately 20 feet at 2/3rd Battalion Headquarters and 15 feet near its mouth. The river was running at about 22 miles an hour and a wall of water about two feet high swept through part of the 2/3rd Battalion area. Soon men were struggling for their lives in the water. At Marlan, for example, 18 members of the Headquarters Company of 2/3rd Battalion were in position on a small island in the Danmap River. In normal times, it was easy to move to and from this island by means of a log spanning the river between the headquarters position on the bank and the island. But this night the river rose so suddenly that the troops on the island were cut off before they could be withdrawn. At that time, it did not appear very serious. Unfortunately, the water soon rose as described above and gathered such momentum that it completely washed away the island. The men clung to substantial trees until these crashed and joined the mad rush of the torrent. One by one the trees disappeared, carrying troops with them. To those standing on the bank, absolutely helpless, the morale of these infantrymen was awe inspiring. As each tree crashed, one heard a cry of “Here I go” or “My turn now” and so they passed down the river, some to be drowned. In the regimental area, matters were not quite so bad as this although they were bad enough. Ammunition and equipment soon went under water and jeeps were bogged up to their windscreens. All land communications to Marlan were washed away and the only means of communication which the whole area had with the outer world was a 2/2nd regimental line over a back route. R.H.Q. had to pass all messages to and from 16th Brigade. The 4th Battery advance party coming up to join the regiment found itself flooded out and one of the best and most efficient of the originals, Sergeant Alan Fleet, was swept away and presumably drowned. Personnel of 3rd Battery did magnificent work in rescuing marooned troops. In this work Lance-Bombardier McAllister played a most prominent part and was credited with rescuing thirteen men from drowning. For his brave deeds that night he was awarded the George Medal.” – Excerpt from ACTION FRONT: The Official History of the 2/2 Field Regiment.