Service numbers N60005 and NX12229
5/1/1895-23/5/1967
Much is on the internet about Herbert - This blog concentrates on and commemorates 75 years since the War came to New Guinea and his achievements there.
At
45 years of age Herbert Trangmar Allan was willing and ready to sign up at the
start of World War II. Born in 1895 in Woolwich Sydney “Blue Allan” as he was
known due to his fiery red hair was a gold miner in Wau in the Territory of New
Guinea. He had had a distinguished career in World War I receiving a Military
cross and many “mentioned in dispatches” awards.
He
was awarded his military cross during WWI on 25 September 1917 when he was a
Lieutenant Colonel with the 2/17th A I F. His leadership was rewarded after an
attack at Passchendaele Ridge. He was the sole surviving officer of two
commands.
After
returning from WWI he completed his studies in Arts and Law majoring in Military
Science with first class honours at Sydney University. After university he
worked as a Gold miner in the New Guinea Territory until the break outbreak of
World War II where he signed up again for service at the commencement of WWII.
Again
in overseas service he showed his bravery and leadership. Herbert was granted
an OBE (Military) for distinguished service in the Middle East from the period
April to October 1941 in Tobruk.
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| MADANG, NEW GUINEA. 1944-08-29. NX12229
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL H.T. ALLAN, OBE, MC, OFFICER COMMANDING, MADANG BASE
SUB-AREA.[2]
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However
with the war moving to our near neighbour his previous experience in Papua New Guinea
was useful. Back in Sydney around 1943, he trained soldiers for jungle warfare.
The Australian Dictionary of Biography describes his contribution.
“In June he was promoted temporary lieutenant colonel and proceeded to
Papua as Australian Army Representative, Staff of Co-ordination, Milne Bay. It was probably a
private arrangement that enabled him to accompany the 20th Brigade in the
landing at Finschhafen, New Guinea, on 22 September. He quickly made contact
with the luluai (headman) of Tareko to arrange for carriers and observers to
report on Japanese movements.
As the army advanced along the northern
coast, base sub-areas were established and Allan successively took charge of
several. Promoted temporary colonel, he commanded the Pacific Islands Regiment
from October 1945 to February 1946; he was mentioned four times in dispatches
for his service in World War II and transferred to the Reserve of Officers on 7
May with the rank of Honorary Colonel.
'A burly, muscular man who radiated
confidence', Allan was 5 ft 11 ins (180.3 cm) tall. He was a courageous and
practical leader, with a 'strong personality concealed under a cloak of
irresponsibility'; he loved whisky and smoked heavily.”[1]
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One of
his Mentioned in Dispatches Awards for Service in the New Guinea Territory[3]
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After
the war he was demobilised to Rabaul on 20 March 1946 were he commanded
the headquarters of the Pacific Islands Regiment prior his initial return to Australia.
Later he managed a transport company in
Rabaul before returning to Australia.
Herbert
married Gertrude May Hodge in 1929. However the couple remained childless. He
retired with Gertrude to a banana farm at Mullaway in New South Wales where he
died on 23 May 1967.
[1]Australian Dictionary of Biography viewed 19/5/2017
http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/allan-herbert-trangmar-9331
[2]
Australian War Memorial webpage viewed 27/5/2017 Public domain photograph
075552 https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/075552/
[3] Australian War Memorial webpage viewed 27/5/2017 https://www.awm.gov.au/images/collection/items/ACCNUM_LARGE/RCDIG1068966/RCDIG1068966--662-.JPG
