Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

"Not Forgotten"
State Boy Who Fought
A Scroll to His Memory
In the office of the Assistant Home Secretary (Hon. F. T. Brennan) is a framed scroll, reading as follows: — "He whom this scroll commemorates was numbered among those who at the call of King and country, left all that was dear to them, endured hardness, faced danger and finally passed out of the sight of men by the path of duty and self-sacrifice, giving up their own lives that others might live in freedom.
"Let those who come after see to
it that his name he not forgotten."

This scroll is Issued by the British Government to the next of kin of deceased soldiers. Surrounding the scroll are two medals (general service and Victory). The deceased soldier In this case was Roy Allison, a State child. At 8 years of age he was handed over to the department by his grandmother, who was an Invalid, and who had a little property, which she handed over to the Crown for her support in the Diamantina Hospital. The property at that time was of very little material value. His parents having previously passed away, there was no evidence of other relatives, and the State had this child boarded out to a foster-mother, and he attended a State school. When he reached the age of service he was given employment, land all the reports concerning him were excellent. He enlisted on November 9, 1915, having just turned I8 years of age, and saw service in France. He was gassed at Ypres, and was invalided home, and died from the effects of his illness on August 23, 1919. The boy, prior to the war, was engaged by Mrs. E. Price, of Ashton Villa, Albion (the mother of Dr. T. A Price, of Toowoomba). So keen was the interest taken in the boy, by Mrs. Price, that on his return from the war that lady visited him frequently at the hospital, and on his death arranged for the military funeral, to leave her own residence, and furthermore, erected, at her own expense, a monument on his grave, at the Nundah Cemetery. Mrs. Price, has been an honorary lady visitor of the State Children department for the past 20 years. The Minister has authorised the framing of the scroll and medals, and at the director's request, has consented to the scroll being hung In the office of the State Children Department as a souvenir, in memory of the State boy. There is no roll of honour for State children, as it is difficult to get exact details, but it is understood over 400 enlisted, and quite a number of them attained distinction.

Private Roy Allison, who died at the Enoggera Military Hospital on August 23, enlisted in December, 1915, when he was only about 18 years of age. He was in camp with the 41st Battalion on Salisbury Plain and left with it for France as bugler in December, 1916. He was gassed, but did not leave his unit. He became a runner with despatches from headquarters, and was again gassed at Messines in June, 1917. He was six months in hospital, but subsequently rejoined his unit and remained with it until the armistice was signed. He returned to Queensland by the Nesta in July, 1919. While at the Front he had several close calls, on one occasion the wristlet watch  presented to him by Mrs. Price being shot away. The deceased soldier was accorded a military funeral. A short service was conducted at the residence of Mrs Price, Victoria-parade, his devoted friend from boyhood, and at the graveside by the Rev. Joseph Bowes.