Private Robert Woodall Barker – 814

136916 — Photograph of Private Barker from the Queenslander Pictorial – 16th September 1916 P 22.

Robert Woodall Barker was born in England in 1890 but enlisted in the A.I.F. in Brisbane, Qld on the 4th of January 1916. He was appointed as a Private to D Company of the 41st Battalion and arrived in France on the 24th of November 1916. After the war Robert gained a short work experience position on a property in England to improve his farming skills. While there he met and then married his employers daughter, Edith Jane Thompson in June 1919. He was discharged from the A.I.F. In early January 1920.

Details

Birth and Family: Robert Woodall Barker was born in Scarborough, England to Maria Woodall and Robert Barker in February 1890. He had one brother Sydney Thompson Barker who also enlisted (service number 809) and was in the 41st Battalion. He died from war related complications on the 5th of October 1919.

Religion and Occupation: Anglican Farmer

Enlistment: He enlisted in Brisbane, Qld on the 4th of January 1916 at the age of 25.

Embarkation: Private Barker left Sydney, NSW on the 17th of May 1916 on board Demosthenes and arrived at Plymouth on the 20th of July 1916.

Details:

Appointed Private 10/5/16 – 3/1/20 D Company, 41st Battalion, 11th Brigade, A.I.F.
He departed Southhampton, UK for France on the 24th of November 1916.
After the war, Robert went and gained experience in farming including gardening and dairying with Robert Henry Thomson, from late may until late August 1919 in Scarborough, England where he was born.
On the 20th of June 1919 Robert married Edith Jane Thomson who was the daughter of his employer during his work experience.
Returned from England on the Ascanius and arrived in Australia on the 11/11/19, one year exactly since the end of the war.
Discharged on the 3/1/1920.

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal

However, Robert Woodall Barker returned to the UK to live in Scarborough with his wife and her family.

Sources:

https://discoveringanzacs.naa.gov.au/browse/records/56140

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1951584

https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=13514

Private Peter Michaelovitch Chirvin – 1932

Peter Chirvin was born in 1895 in Eastern Russia but moved to Brisbane in 1914. He enlisted in the A.I.F. in January 1915 before embarking in April 1915 as a Private with the 9th Battalion. He was wounded in action by a gunshot wound in September 1916 and then returned to action. In February 1919 Private Chirvin left Europe to return to Australia. While the ship was in Sydney Harbour for quarantine Private Chirvin committed suicide on the 16th of April 1919. This was reportedly due to harassment from other soldiers about his Russian nationality due to the Russian Revolution and consequent retaliation against socialists and foreigners in Australia.

Details

Birth: Peter Michaelovitch Chirvin was born on the 21st of December 1895 to Natalia Vasilevna and Michael Fedorovich Chirvin in Lugovoy, Sakhalin Island in Far Eastern Russia. His family lost a lot of possessions including offical documents during the Russian Revolution. In February 1916, he was transferred to the 49th Battalion

Pre-war life: Peter M Chirvin departed from Eastern Russia on board the St Albans via Moji, Japan arriving in Brisbane, Qld on the 16th of October, 1914.

Occupation: Media Reporter

Enlistment: He enlisted on the 28th of January, 1915 in Brisbane, Qld.

Embarkation: Private Chirvin embarked on the 14th of April 1915 from Brisbane, Qld on board H.M.A.T Kyarra.

Service Details:

Private 14/4/15 – 10/7/15 5th Reinforcements, 9th Battalion, 3rd Brigade, A.I.F.
Private 10/7/15 – 27/2/16 Transferred to 9th Battalion, 3rd Brigade, A.I.F.
Sick with Dysentery on 11/9/15 and admitted to No. 1 Hospital Cairo until 25/10/15
Private 27/2/16 – 16/4/19 Transferred to D Company, 49th Battalion, 13th Brigade, A.I.F.
Wounded in Action by Gun shot wound to left wrist on the 3rd of September 1916.
- Admitted to 3rd London General Hospital on 8th of September 1916.
Boarded HT Anchises to return to Australia on 28/2/1919.

Medals: Military Medal awarded on the 30th of October 1918. Also received a British War Medal, Victory Medal and 1914/15 Star.

Death: Peter Chirvin died from asphyxiation caused by hanging which was ruled a suicide due to being ‘temporarily deranged in mind” on board the HT Anchises in Sydney Harbour on the 16th of April 1919. In the enquiry into his suicide it was revealed that he was being heckled about his Russian nationality and being called a ‘bolshie’. He also expressed fear about his reception in Australia after the recent Red Flag riots in Brisbane between 1918-19 by returned servicemen against socialists and others considered to be potentially disloyal such as foreigners. He was buried at North Head Quarantine Cemetery in Sydney, NSW.

Sources:

https://discoveringanzacs.naa.gov.au/browse/records/148798

https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2745484/

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1675751/

http://russiananzacs.net/Chirvin

Private David Andrew Allison – 7205

David Andrew Allison was born in 1873 in Queensland and was a police officer in Western Australia between 1901-9, in 1909 he had to retire due to a bad broken leg. He originally enlisted in September 1915 but was discharged on request in October 1915 as his daughter was born. He re-enlisted in November 1916 and left Australia in January 1917. He was appointed as a Private in the 11th Battalion but served as an ambulance driver with the 17th Field Ambulance. In December 1917 he was admitted to hospital sick and died on the 16th of December 1917.

Details

Birth: David Andrew Allison was born in 1873 to Elizabeth and David Samuel Allison in Toowoomba, Qld.

Marriage and children: He was married to Elizabeth Rachel Allison (née Waterhouse) and had two sons named Leslie Irvine and Robert Arthur as well as a daughter named Lila Ethel.

Occupation: He worked in the Western Australian police force for 8 years between 1901-1909.

Enlistment: He enlisted at the age of 42 on the 8th of September 1915 in Blackboy Hill, WA. However after initial training, he was discharged on his own request due to the birth of his daughter on the 14th of October 1915. He re-enlisted in the A.I.F. on the 10th of November 1916 in Fremantle, WA.

Embarkation: Departed Fremantle on the 29/1/17 on board the H.M.A.T. Miltiades and arrived in England on the 27th of March 1917.

Service Details:

Private 30/12/16 – 2/7/17 24th Reinforcements, 11th Battalion, 3rd Brigade, A.I.F.
Private 2/7/17 – 9/7/17 Transferred to 17th Field Ambulance, 6th Division, A.I.F.
Private 9/7/17 – 16/12/17 Transferred to 11th Battalion, 3rd Brigade, A.I.F.
Admitted to hospital sick on 14/12/17

Death: Private Allison died from disease on the 16th of December 1917. He was buried on the 18th of December 1917 in Melcombe Regis Cemetery in Dorset, UK with grave reference II. C. 3111.

Medals: British War Medal

Sources:

https://discoveringanzacs.naa.gov.au/browse/records/18990

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1773668

Captain Frank Page – 484

Photograph portrait of Frank Page in uniform. Source:https://discoveringanzacs.naa.gov.au/browse/gallery/159199

Frank page was born in Brisbane in 1890 and enlisted in the A.I.F. in August 1914. Initially a private in the 9th Battalion, he was promoted through the ranks to the position of Captain, as well as being awarded both a Military Medal and a Military Cross. Sadly, in October 1917 Captain Page died in hospital from wounds received in battle.

Details

Birth: Frank Page was born in 1890 to Elizabeth Harriett and Horace John Page in Brisbane, Qld. He had two brothers, Eric and Hugh.

Religion and Occupation: Anglican Civil Servant.

Enlistment: On the 26th of August 1914 Frank Page enlisted in the A.I.F. at Roma, Qld.

Embarkation: Private Frank Page departed Brisbane on the 24th of September 1914 on board the HMAT Omrah A5.

Service Details:

Private 26/8/14 – 3/7/15 D Company, 9th Battalion, 11th Brigade, A.I.F.
Promoted Lance Corporal 3/7/15 – 10/12/15 9th Battalion, 11th Brigade, A.I.F.
Promoted Temporary Sergeant 10/12/15 – 20/2/16 9th Battalion, 11th Brigade, A.I.F.
Promoted Second Lieutenant 20/2/16 – 20/5/16 9th Battalion, 11th Brigade, A.I.F.
Promoted Lieutenant 20/5/16 – 29/7/16 9th Battalion, 11th Brigade, A.I.F.
Promoted Adjutant 29/7/16 – 18/6/17 9th Battalion, 11th Brigade, A.I.F.
Promoted Captain 18/6/17 – 29/10/17 9th Battalion, 11th Brigade, A.I.F.
Died from wounds received in action on 29/10/17

Medals: Victory Medal, British War Medal, 1914/15 Star

Also awarded Military Medal on the 7th of November 1916 for his gallantry at Gallipoli.
Received a Military Cross on the 5th of June 1917.

Death: Captain Frank Page died in a hospital in Calaid from wounds received in action on the 29th of October 1917. Initially he was buried in Beaumarais, Calais grave no. 6422. However, he was later reburied in the Calais Southern Cemetery in Plot B. Row Officers. Grave 14.

Sources:

http://discoveringanzacs.naa.gov.au/browse/records/296019

http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/471290/

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1836116

Company Sergeant Major William Thomas Reed – 2383

William Thomas Reed was born in Queensland in August 1889 and enlisted in the A.I.F. in March 1916. After completing his training he was allocated to the 42nd Battalion as a Private. During his service he was promoted through the ranks to the position of Company Sergeant Major, the highest non-commissioned position within the A.I.F.

Details

Birth: William Thomas Reed was born on the 30th of August 1889 to Elizabeth (née McGovern) and Thomas Reed in Georgetown, Queensland. He had a brother named James Reed.

Religion and Occupation: Roman Catholic Butter Maker

Enlistment: William enlisted on the 2nd of March, 1916 in Toowoomba, Queensland.

Embarkation: Private Reed left Brisbane Queensland on the 21st of October 1916 on board the HMAT Boonah A36.

Service Records:

Private 31/8/16 – 10/1/17 4th Reinforcements, 42nd Battalion, 3rd A.I.F. Division.
Private 10/1/17 – 24/1/17 42nd Battalion, 3rd A.I.F. Division
Promoted Corporal 24/1/17 – 29/11/17 42nd Battalion, 3rd A.I.F. Division
Promoted Sergeant 29/11/17 – 28/8/18 42nd Battalion, 3rd A.I.F. Division
Promoted Company Sergeant Major 28/8/18 – 12/12/18 42nd Battalion, 3rd A.I.F. Division
Discharged on the 12th of December 1918.

Medals: Victory Medal and British War Medal

On the 21st of October 1918 William T Reed was awarded a Military Medal for his bravery in action on the 4th of July 1918.

Marriage: He married Emma Josephine Johnson on the 1st of June 1920.

Death: William died on the 1st of July 1959 in Brisbane, Queensland. He was buried in Lutwyche Cemetery, Brisbane and his grave reference is ANZ-9-4-63.

Sources:

http://discoveringanzacs.naa.gov.au/browse/records/304035

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/141222093/william-thomas-ree

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R2010336

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R2403244

Corporal Henry Laud Alexander Frankford – 106

Portrait of Corporal Frankford in Uniform taken for the Queenslander Pictorial Newspaper. Source: Queenslander Newspaper P.21 of the 17 November 1914

Henry L A Frankford was born in 1879 in England but joined the A.I.F. in Brisbane, Australia in August 1914. He was initially a member of A Squadron from the 2nd Light Horse Regiment until he became a Senior and Confidential Clerk to the Prime Minister in August 1915. After the war there was an ongoing dispute between Corporal Frankford and the A.I.F. as he believed that due to his position within HQ he should have been granted a higher rank, however the A.I.F. disagreed and maintained his rank as Corporal. During his service there was also an issue with a chair that he acquired in Egypt and sent home to his wife in Queensland.

Details

Name: Also spelt as Henry Laird Alexander Frankford

Birth: He was born on the 27th of March 1879 to Marian Frankford in London, UK.

Marriage and Children: Henry was married to Mary Frankford and they had two sons Leonard and Norman Frankford.

Enlistment: Henry enlisted on the 21st of August 1914 in Brisbane Qld.

Embarkation: He left Brisbane on the 24th of September 1914 on board HMAT Star of England A15.

Service Details:

Private 21/8/14 – 2/9/14 A Squadron, 2nd Light Horse Regiment, A.I.F.
Promoted Corporal 2/9/14 – 8/15 A Squadron, 2nd Light Horse Regiment, A.I.F.
Promoted Temporary Warrant Officer 8/15 – 21/9/18 Senior and Confidential Clerk to the Prime Minister, G.H.Q., 1st Echelon, A.I.F.

Medals: 1914/15 Star, Victory Medal, British War Medal.

Wounds:

Gunshot Wound to the hand at Gallipoli 22/6/15 – 28/9/15

Death: Henry Frankford died on the 5th of December 1948.

Sources:

http://discoveringanzacs.naa.gov.au/browse/records/234314

https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=103259

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page1016309

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1966312

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R2328735

Lance Corporal William ‘Billie’ Fife Allan – 4129

55881224 — Portrait of William Fife Allan in Uniform on the 27th of May 1916. Source: Queenslander Pictoria & http://heritage.saintandrews.org.au/william-fife-allan-mm/

William Fife Allan was born in 1892 and enlisted with his brother James Douglas Allan (service no. 4130) in 1915. They were both in the 9th Battalion and William was promoted to Lance Corporal in 1918 and was also awarded the Military Medal.

Details

Birth: He was born on the 14th of October 1892 to Catherine ‘Kate’ Isabella McIntosh and James Fife Allan at Wallangarra QLD.

Siblings: William had a brother James Douglas Allan (b. 1895) who he enlisted with in 1915. He also had another brother Ronald McIntosh (b. 1903) and two sisters Florence Jeanie (b. 1894) and Ethel Mary (b. 1897).

Enlistment: William and James enlisted together on the 13th of August 1915 in Brisbane Qld.

Embarkation: William departed Brisbane on the 3rd of January 1916 on board the HMAT Kyarra A55.

Service Details:

Private 13/8/15 – 14/5/16 13th Reinforcements, 9th Battalion, 1st A.I.F. Division
Private 14/5/16 – 5/6/18 9th Battalion, 1st A.I.F. Division
Promoted Lance Corporal 5/6/18 – 20/4/19 9th Battalion, 1st A.I.F. Division
Discharged on the 20th of April 1919.

Medals: 1914/15 Medals, Victory Medals, British War Medals

Also awarded Military Medal on the 4th of October 1918 for his actions on the 10th of May 1918.

Marriage and Children: William married Janet Hiddleston on the 24th of April 1925. They had one son Blair Fife Allan born in 1927.

Religion, Education and Occupation: Presbyterian, attended Brisbane Grammar School from 1909, worked at an Agricultural Bank as a Clerk. From July 1924 he worked in the Department of Public Works as an Assessor clerk in the unemployment insurance claims.

Death: William died in Brisbane on the 16th of January 1967. He was buried in Mt Thompson Memorial Gardens in Brisbane.

Sources:

http://discoveringanzacs.naa.gov.au/browse/records/32261

http://heritage.saintandrews.org.au/william-fife-allan-mm/

https://discoveringanzacs.naa.gov.au/browse/person/70610

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1899571

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R2442062

Sergeant James Douglas Allan – 4130

55881330 — Sergeant James Douglas Allan photographed in uniform. Source: http://heritage.saintandrews.org.au/james-douglas-allan-mm/

James Douglas Allan was born in 1895 in Queensland. James and his older brother William both joined the A.I.F. together in August 1915. He joined the 9th Battalion and was promoted through the ranks to the rank of Sergeant and was also awarded the Military Medal.

Details

Birth: He was born on the 3rd of November, 1895 to Catherine ‘Kate’ Isabella McIntosh and James Fife Allan in Wallangarra Queensland.

Siblings: His brother William Fife Allan was born on the 14th of October 1892 and they both joined the A.I.F. on the same day. He also had another brother Ronald McIntosh Allan (b. 1903) and two sisters Ethel Mary Allan (b. 1897) and Florence Jeanie (b. 1894).

55881410 — Photograph of brothers William (left) and James (right) Allan in uniform on the 27th of May 1916. Source: Queenslander Pictorial and http://heritage.saintandrews.org.au/william-fife-allan-mm

Religion, Education and Occupation: Presbyterian, Brisbane Grammar School in 1908, Clerk.

Enlistment: James enlisted in Wallangarra Queensland on the 13th of August 1915.

Embarkation: James departed Brisbane Queensland on the 3rd of January 1916 on HMAT Kyarra A55.

Service Details:

Private 13/8/15 – 14/5/16 13th Reinforcements, 9th Battalion, 1st A.I.F. Division
Private 14/5/16 – 5/6/18 9th Battalion, 1st A.I.F. Division
Promoted Lance Corporal 5/6/18 – 3/8/18 9th Battalion, 1st A.I.F. Division
Promoted Corporal 3/8/18 – 9/2/19 9th Battalion, 1st A.I.F. Division
Promoted Sergeant 9/2/19 – 28/8/19 9th Battalion, 1st A.I.F. Division
Discharged in Brisbane, Qld on 28th August 1919

Medals: 1914/15 Medals, Victory Medals, British War Medal

Also received a Military Medal on the 20th August 1919 for his action on the 18th of September 1918.

Wounds:

Wounded in Action – 23/7/16 to 25/8/16 shrapnel to ankle.

Spouses and children: James married Phyllis May Jackson (b. 1902) on the 1st of August 1927. They had two sons John Douglas and David Fife Allan.

Sources:

http://discoveringanzacs.naa.gov.au/browse/records/25646

https://discoveringanzacs.naa.gov.au/browse/person/70452

http://heritage.saintandrews.org.au/james-douglas-allan-mm/

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1899572

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R2441969

Sergeant George Barkley – 802

George Barkley was born in 1890 in Victoria, Australia and enlisted in Brisbane, Qld in February 1915. During his service George Barkley was a member of the 25th Battalion and was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and also received the Military Medal. He was later killed in action in June 1918.