MITCHELL, Allan Archibald
| Service Numbers: | 125, Q209508 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 21 September 1914, Enlisted in Lismore, NSW |
| Last Rank: | Trooper |
| Last Unit: | 12th (QLD) Battalion Volunteer Defence Corps (VDC) |
| Born: | Barwang, New South Wales, Australia, 20 May 1888 |
| Home Town: | Mullumbimby, Byron Shire, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Farmer |
| Died: | Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia , 25 May 1960, aged 72 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Yandina Cemetery, Qld |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 21 Sep 1914: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Trooper, 125, 5th Light Horse Regiment, Enlisted in Lismore, NSW | |
|---|---|---|
| 21 Dec 1914: | Involvement Private, 125, 5th Light Horse Regiment, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '2' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Persic embarkation_ship_number: A34 public_note: '' | |
| 21 Dec 1914: | Embarked Private, 125, 5th Light Horse Regiment, HMAT Persic, Sydney | |
| 16 May 1915: | Involvement AIF WW1, Trooper, 125, 5th Light Horse Regiment, ANZAC / Gallipoli | |
| 12 Nov 1917: | Embarked AIF WW1, Trooper, 125, 5th Light Horse Regiment, Embarked at Suez aboard HMAT "Wiltshire", for return to Australia for 6 months change, due to mastoiditis. | |
| 26 Jan 1918: | Discharged AIF WW1, Trooper, 125, 5th Light Horse Regiment, Discharged medically unfit |
World War 2 Service
| 12 Apr 1942: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Q209508, 12th (QLD) Battalion Volunteer Defence Corps (VDC), Enlisted at Gympie | |
|---|---|---|
| 21 Oct 1945: | Discharged Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Q209508, 12th (QLD) Battalion Volunteer Defence Corps (VDC), Discharged with rank of Corporal |
Help us honour Allan Archibald MITCHELL's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Karan CAMPBELL-DAVIS
Allan Archibald MITCHELL was born on 20th May 1888 in Barwang, NSW, to parents Archibald and Elizabeth (née DIMMOCK) MITCHELL.
A single, 26 year old farmer at the time, Allan enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force at Lismore on 21st September, 1914. Enlisted as a Trooper with the regimental number 125, he was allocated to "B" Squadron of the 5th Light Horse Regiment. Following completion of his recruit training at Enoggera Camp, Allan embarked with his Unit in Sydney aboard HMAT "Persic" on 21st December 1914, for active service overseas.
After completing further training in Egypt, Allan proceeded to Gallipoli on 16th May 1915, where the 5th Light Horse were involved without their horses, as reinforcements for the Australian 1st Infantry Division, whose Battalions had suffered heavy casualties on the Peninsula. On 19th September 1915, Allan was admitted to the 1st Auxiliary Hospital in Heliopolis, suffering with a septic hand. He rejoined his Unit 3 and a half weeks later. Along with the rest of the AIF, Allan was evacuated from Gallipoli in late December 1915, and returned to Alexandria.
Following their return to Egypt, the 5th Light Horse Regiment became part of the ANZAC Mounted Division, in defence of the Suez Canal. They went on to take part in the Sinai and Palestine campaigns, being involved in all three Battles of Gaza. In July 1917, Allan had an admission to the 14th Australian General Hospital in Abbassia, for what eventually developed into media otitis (middle ear infection), being reported as being "dangerously ill". He was subsequently admitted to Port Said Rest Camp in Abbassia on 27th October 1917 with right mastoiditis.
On 12th November 1917, Allan embarked aboard the HMAT "Wiltshire" at Suez, for return to Australia, due to right mastoiditis. He arrived in Sydney on 20th December, and was subsequently discharged in 2MD on 26th January 1918 as being medically unfit. He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal for his service.
After the War, Allan settled in the Eumundi district of Queensland, where he continued his work as a farmer. Following the outbreak of WW2, he enlisted in the Volunteer Defence Corps on 12th April 1942, serving as a Corporal, regimental number Q209508, in the 12th Battalion VDC. He served on a part-time duty basis until after the War ended, discharging on 21st October 1945.
Allan Archibald MITCHELL died on the Sunshine Coast of Queensland on 25th May 1960, aged 72, and is buried in the Yandina Cemetery.
Compiled by Karan CAMPBELL-DAVIS from historical records kept by the National Archives of Australia, the Australian War Memorial and the DVA Nominal Roll.
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