click to enlarge
Photo of William Allan.
Donated by Kate Cole,
grand niece of Archbold Clark.

William Allan was born at Coimadai, near Bacchus Marsh, VIC, on the 28^th of August 1894, to William John Allan and Louisa Davenport. Louisa died and William married Elizabeth Clark (nee Davison), whose husband had also died, and so William Allan has two stepbrothers, William and Archbold Clark and who are also remembered in the Avenue. William also had three step-cousins, Robert, Norman and Alan Davison, who are also remembered in the Avenue.

He was a labourer when he enlisted at Albury, NSW, on the 2^nd of April 1918. William had tried to enlist previously but was rejected on medical grounds. On this enlistment his medical examination stated he was doubtful due to a slight scoliosis, but passed him fit. He passed the test for the Light Horse at Broadmeadows and volunteered to serve in Eygpt.

He embarked from Sydney as a Private, with the 4^th General Service Reinforcements (Egypt), in July 1918, aboard the HMAT A15 Port Sydney, disembarking at Suez in September.

He was allotted to the 1^st Field Squadron Engineers as a sapper in October 1918. He returned to Australia aboard the Malta in August 1919 and was discharged on the 22^nd of August 1919.

In March 1941 William enlisted in the Australian Army at Rutherglen, VIC; service number N91940. He was discharged in September 1944 with the rank of Corporal in the 9^th Garrison Battalion.

William Allan died at Wahgunyah, VIC, in 1966, aged 73.

He is listed on the Shire of Bacchus Marsh Roll of Honour, the Bacchus Marsh & District Roll of Honour and the Roll of Honour for the Coimadai State School. He is also remembered in the Coimadai Avenue of Honour.

Notes

1. The plaque shows his rank as Tpr (Trooper); however his service records show he started as a Private and later became a Sapper (Spr) after the Avenue was planted.
2. The plaque shows his unit to be the 4^th EGSR. This is most probably the 4^th General Service Reinforcements (Egypt) in which his service began. However his service record shows he was later allotted to the 1^st Field Squadron Engineers