Allan COLQUHOUN

Allan COLQUHOUN

Allan Colquhoun (Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate, 16/11/1918)

Per his military service record (regimental no. 4749), Allan Colquhoun was born at Glebe, Sydney, N.S.W. He gave his age as 18 years and 4 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as saddler. His description on his medical was height 5 feet 4 ¾ inches tall, weight 104 ½ lbs., with a fair complexion, blue eyes, and light brown hair. His religious denomination was Church of England. He claimed that he had 4 years military service in the cadets.

He completed his medical on the 10^th November 1915 at Parramatta, and was attested at Parramatta on the 11^th November 1915. The Coo-ees had held a recruiting meeting in the Park at Parramatta on the evening of the 10^th November, where it was reported that 41 men had offered themselves as recruits.[1]

After completing the Coo-ee March he went to Liverpool Camp as reinforcement for the 13^th Battalion.

On his embarkation roll his address at time of enrolment was Redmont [sic, i.e. Belmont] Street, Merrylands, N.S.W., and his next of kin is listed as his aunt, M. Colquhoun, Redmont Street, Merrylands, N.S.W.

On 8^th March 1916 Private Colquhoun departed Sydney on the HMAT A15 Star of England, along with many of the other Coo-ees, as part of the 15^th reinforcements for the 13^th Battalion. He arrived in Egypt on 11^th April 1916.

On 11^th May he was admitted to hospital at Tel El Kebir, Egypt, suffering from Influenza. He was discharged on 5^th June 1916.

On 6^th August 1916 Private Colquhoun left Alexandria aboard the Transport Megantic bound for England.

On 23^rd September 1916 Private Colquhoun departed England bound for France. He arrived at the 4^th Australian Division Base Depot at Etaples on 24^th September 1916.

On 21^st of October 1916 Private Colquhoun marched into the 13^th Battalion when it was in billets at Steenvoorde, Belgium.

On 1^st January 1917 the 13^th Battalion was at a Brigade Sports day at Rainneville, France when Private Colquhoun was admitted to the 4^th Australian Field Ambulance suffering a dog bite. He rejoined the 13^th Battalion on 7^th January 1917 when it was leaving its billets at Ribemont, France.

On 23^rd February 1917 the 13^th Battalion was training at Ribemont, France, when Private Colquhoun was admitted to the 3^rd Australian Field Ambulance suffering a hernia. He was transferred to the 4^th Division Rest Station on 27^th February 2017. He rejoined the 13^th Battalion on 6^th March 1917 at Ribemont, France.

On 11^th April 1917 the 13^th Battalion was involved in an attack on the Hindenburg Line in the vicinity of the village of Reincourt, France. During this attack the Battalion suffered 25 killed, 118 wounded, and 367 missing. Private Colquhoun was one of those reported missing in action.

On 23^rd June 1917 the German authorities reported that Private Colquhoun was a Prisoner of War and was being held at Limburg, Germany.

An article in The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate on 16^th November 1918 reported:

‘Private Allan Conquhoun, who has been a prisoner of war in Gefangenenager [sic] Schneidemuhl, Germany, for over eighteen months, is a nephew of Mr and Mrs A. Colquhoun, of Belmont Street, Merrylands. This young soldier, who is only 21 years of age, joined the “Coo-ees” in Parramatta and sailed for the front on 8^th March, 1916, being attached to the 15^th Reinforcements of 13^th Battalion. In a letter to Miss L. Allmark, of Granville, he says:–“I am the only Australian in this camp, and I spend my time learning the German language. I get good treatment here, but only for the Red Cross parcels I don’t know what I’d do in the way of food. I am in the best of health and you need not worry about me having a bad time, as I am getting on tip top, and hope to be home very soon.”[2]

On 1^st December 1918 Private Colquhoun was repatriated to England. He was admitted to the 1^st Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Harefield, England. On 13^th December 1918 he was granted leave to report back to the hospital on 4^th January 1919.

On 5^th March 1919 Private Colquhoun departed England aboard the transport Nevesa bound for Australia. He arrived in Sydney on 26^th April 1919, and was discharged Termination of Period of Enlistment on 10^th June 1919.

[1] ‘The procession’, The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate, 13 November 1915, p. 11, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article86101767

[2] ‘Our Brave Boys on the Battle Fields’, The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate, 16 November 1918, p. 10, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article86210502