Collection of material relating to Stephen Charles Allen and Robert Beattie Allen, 1916-1944 - Part 2

And as regiments on our 
flanks failed we had to 
retire. We brought back a 
number of Germans prisoners 
and most of our own 
wounded. There was a 
faint possibility that your 
two sons were taken 
prisoners consequently they 
were posted as missing 
but if you have not yet 
received intimation that 
they are in German 
hands I think you must 
make up your own mind that 
they fell gallantly, while 
pushing forward in that 
glorious charge. All those 
that were left of the 
10th reinforcements (there 
are very few now) were 
extremely sorry that the 
two brothers were gone. 
They were like by 
all ranks and were 
good soldiers and willing

fighters. Although they 
have given up their lives 
they did their duty nobly 
and well. Please accept 
my deepest sympathy. 
Yours very sincerely 
T. Willis, Captain 
13th Battalion. A.I.F 

P.S. Your boys, if killed, 
will have been buried 
along with a large number 
of their Australian comrades 
on the field of battle, 
near Mouquet farm, which
is about a mile from 
Pozieres. 

[[?]] records [[?]]
7531 (16 
3rd Series

(Form No. 144 
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA No……………. 
———————— 
POSTMASTER-GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT, NEW SOUTH WALES 
————————- 
URGENT TELEGRAM. 
MANLY 
[[?]] 15MR 7 
————— 

This message has been received subject to the Post and Telegraph Act and Regulations . 
All complaints to be addressed in writing to the Deputy Postmaster-General 
—————————————————————————————————- 
STATION FROM. NO. OF WORDS, AND CHECK. REMARKS 
Victoria Barracks 69 5/5 12 40 RP. Section 9 5 
Rev Elwin 
Manly 

Br 29 Officially reported that Number (Br. 29) 3003 Pte R B Allen 
13th Battalion previously reported missing now killed in action 
14th august 1916 Please inform Mother Mrs H Allen 63 Pittwater Rd 
Manly and convey deep regret and sympathy of their Majesties 
the King and Queen and Commonwealth Government in loss that she 
and Army have sustained by death soldier reply paid 

Col Luscombe 

1. 5H 
Received March 15th 1917

[[?]] Records [[?]]
7531 (10) 
3rd Series
 

Dg. 
ANZAC SECTION, 3rd Echelon G.H.Q. 
In reply please quote British Expeditionary Force, 
No. 43272. 17th March 1917 

Miss F. Allen. 
“Llanion” 
63 Pittwater Road, 
Manly, S Y D N E Y. 

re 3002 Pte Allen S.C. ) 13th Bn. 
3003 Pte Allen. R.B. ) 

In reply to your letter dated 
19.1.1917 regarding the welfare of above named 
soldiers ( your brothers “) who were reported 
Missing on 14.8.16. 

It is regretted to have to inform
you that they have now been reported Killed 
in Action on that date, but no particulars of 
burial have been received. 

Should any further particulars be 
received, the Secretary for Defence, Melbourne 
will be advised accordingly 

( A signature ) Lieut. 
Officer i/c Records 

(Signature)

IN REPLY PLEASE QUOTE 7143 
INFORMATION BUREAU 
FOR OBTAINING NEWS OF SICK, WOUNDED AND MISSING SOLDIERS. 
TELEPHONE: CITY 1014 
————— 
HOURS: 
MONDAY TO FRIDAY 
10 A.M TO 1 P.M & 2 P.M TO 5 P.M 
SATURDAY 
10 A.M TO 1 P.M 

AUSTRALIAN RED CROSS SOCIETY 
N.S.W. DIVISION 

DALTON HOUSE 
115 PITT STREET 
SYDNEY 
23rd May, 1917 

3002 - Private Stephen C. Allen - 13th Battalion 

Dear Madam, 
We send you the following report which our agents 
have sent to us, consisting of the statement made to them by t 
the soldier whose name appears at the foot of the report :- 
- - - - - - - - - 
This is Stephen. I knew him and Robert well and 
they were both killed in action by the same shell. 
This was up round Deville Wood. I saw their graves. 
They come across with me and were very decent fellows. 

Reference: Private Macfarlane, 3094 
A. Company, No. 6 General, 
Rouen 2.3.17 


RAK 
- - - - - - - - - 

Yours faithfully 
( Signature) 
Mrs. H. Allen 
63 Pittwater Road, 
Manly

13th Battalion, A.I.F. 
“A” Co. 

(ALLEN S.C. 3002 
( 
(ALLEN R.B. 3003 

Killed in Action - 14-8-16. 
 
I knew both these men Allen, they were brothers in 
A. Co IX Platoon. No.16 Section, with me. One of them 
left Egypt with me to join the Battalion in France. The 
other was already in the Battalion when I joined it. They 
both were short, medium build, one dark, the other not so 
dark. I only knew these Allen’s in “A” Co. In August 1916 
these Allens, I and about 5 others were going from the front 
line near Houquet farm to Sausage Gully for rations. 
This was towards evening, but it was quite light. Whilst 
going up “Tom’s Cut” near the front line a shell came over 
and exploded on the parapet, killed the 2 Allen brothers 
who were immediately in front of me in the communication 
trench and wounded my brother who was just front of the 
Allens. It killed both the Allens outright and a man 
named White. I got. my brother away (he was wounded through 
the arm and leg) and do not know what was done with the 
Allens’ bodies but feel sure they would be properly buried. 
I am positive it was the brothers Allen and they were 
killed outright. 

Informant:- W. J. G. Hale, 5101, 
13th Battalion, A.I.F., “A” Co. 
H.S.O 
29-5-17. No. 4 Aust. General Hospital, Randwick. SYDNEY BUREAU 
A careful reliable witness.

Woodville 
Wagga Wagga 
16/6/17 

Dear Miss Allen 
I received your ever welcome letter 
yesterday and I though I would answer it straight away. 
I was very sorry indeed to [[?]] , that I did not 
receive your letter before I left Sydney. I left for home 
on the 14th and your letter was wrote on the 11th. 
I can quite understand how, I never received it. When I 
gave the reported, the particulars about your Brothers 
I was at that time stationed at Randwick Hospital, 
but a few days after, I left and was staying at my 
friends place at Lindfield. I seen a good lot of your 
Brothers from the time I meet them, and was not more 
than five yards off when the shell caught us. Your two 
poor Brothers were between my Brother & I. 
When the shell had exploded I knew by the screams 
that someone had caught it. I could not get through 
for sometime , as I was half silly through the shock. 
However when I could get through, my Brother was 
seriously wounded and your to Brothers were laying 
there, they had been shifted, because when I was 
returning to the front line again I could not see them 
My Brother is having a rough time he is still in

hospital , he cannot Walk but gets about on 
crutches, as best he can. I expect he will be home 
in a few months time. I am pretty well again 
my hand is not much good to me at present, 
but I have hopes that in time it will come 
alright. I will more then likely be in Sydney 
Wednesday or Thursday, and if I am, with your 
Kind permission I will come and see you. 
I hope you can understand this scribble. 

I Remain 
Yours Sincerely 
Will Hale 

5032. SGT A. ASSEUHEIN
62nd Battalion
A. I. F
On Active Services
Abroad
28. 6. 17 

Dear Miss Allen, 

Received yesterday your
letter dated, Manly 23.4.17 & must say was
very pleased indeed at receiving news from
Australia especially Bob’s sister.
Bob was in my company. who I knew very
well. But Stephen I did not know at all. 
I am sorry indeed that I cannot give you 
the good news that you are seeking for. 
I told the Red Cross people that Bob had been
killed, which unfortunately is correct. He was
Blown up by a shell he & a lot of others.
R.H. Chippell who you mention in your letter
I have not seen since January. But if
I should come across him I will only be
too pleased to give him your address as
you desire . I am (as you will see by the
above address) in another unit. I thank
you on behalf of your Brothers Comrades, for
your wishes for a welfare. & I for one will
only be to pleased to come & see you if
ever I get Back again safe & sound