Allen, Joseph Henry (Staff Sergeant, b.1900 – d.1983)

Collection relating to the First World War and Second World War service of 62512 (S47558) Staff Sergeant Henry Joseph Allen, 5 General Service Reinforcements and 4 Australian Line of Communication Signals, at sea, South Africa and Australia, 1918-1947.

Wallet 1 of 1 – Consists of one diary and two discharge certificates relating to the service of Staff Sergeant Henry Joseph Allen. The diary contains entries dated between 22 October and 14 December 1918, and covers the period of Staff Sergeant Allen’s embarkation. In his diary, Staff Sergeant Allen writes about weather and sea conditions, his health, attending to correspondence, recreational activities, daily life on board ship, hearing of the armistice, taking photographs, being in quarantine in the harbour of Durban, spectating boxing tournaments, a flu epidemic on the ship, and returning to Australia. This diary also includes hand drawn maps of Durban, and miscellaneous notes. The first discharge certificate, relating to Staff Sergeant Allen’s service in the First World War, was issued on 31 January 1919. The second discharge certificate, relating to Staff Sergeant Allen’s service as a Post Master General with the Australian Military Forces in the Second World War, was issued on 8 May 1947.

Staff Sergeant Joseph Henry Allen enlisted to the Australian Imperial Force as a private on 21 June 1918. He embarked for overseas service with 5 General Service Reinforcements on 22 October 1918. However, partway through the voyage the First World War ended. Staff Sergeant Allen returned to Australia, and was discharged on 31 January 1919 with an illness he had contracted while on board the ship. During the Second World War, Staff Sergeant Allen enlisted to the Australian Military Forces and served as a Post Master General with 4 Lines of Communication Signals. He was discharged from this role on 8 January 1945 and became a reservist.