PROMOTING THE HISTORY AND ARCHIVES OF MT COMPASS
McAllan, George
George Arnold McAllan (Rank - Gunner)
Born at Brinkworth, South Australia on 27th September 1900, George was the third child of William George McAllan and Edith Ashton McAllan (nee Hancocks).
George enlisted on 2nd October 1918 in the 1st World War one month prior to it ending and just days after turning 18. Both his mother and father had signed giving their consent for young George to enlist, but as concerned parents had also added the proviso: “We would like him not to be out into the firing line until he is 19 years old.”
At this point in time, he was living at Yacka as a farm hand, with his father’s address listed as Burnside.
George’s brief sojourn in the AIF was with ‘B’ Company at a Mitcham Camp from where he was discharged on 18th November 1918.
On the 7th February 1923, George married Lucy Emily Small at the Pinnaroo Anglican Church following a 16 month engagement.
They had four children: Robert George (Bob), Janet, Barbara Edith and Bruce William. The family moved to Mt Compass in May 1939 from Jabuk in the south-east mallee country. They lived and farmed on Section 323, which is on the northern edge of Mt Compass, along the Victor Harbor Road – Springvale Terrace is now on this property.
Their eldest child (Bob) had completed his schooling at Jabuk by this time, so assisted on the property, while the other three children finished their schooling at Mt Compass.
George is remembered as being a very fit man at the time World War 2 came along and was very keen to enlist. This eagerness was perhaps due to his curtailed experience during the First World War.
When he enrolled on 10th October 1939, George was so eager to be accepted that he gave his age as 34 years, when his true age was 39. In the following year, the ladies from the local Knitting Circle decided to show their support for George by instead of sending him the standard parcel of socks & scarf, they would procure the wool to knit him a cardigan. It is noted in their Minutes, that several offers were received to assist with knitting this cardigan.
George joined the 2/3rd Field Regiment Artillery and embarked aboard the Troopship “Queen Mary” in May 1940, heading for the Middle East. At the same time an overwhelming German assault on France was commenced, causing this ship to be re-directed to the UK in order to help defend the ‘home country’ against any possible invasion.
Unfortunately for George, he developed what his army record shows was a heart problem during his journey to England, and once arriving had a number of hospital stays there. This resulted in his early return to Australia in April 1941 with the reason formally stated as “Coronary Thrombosis”. He was discharged on 12th June 1941. His family understands that on his voyage to England, crates of ammunition shifted and fell on him crushing his left side.
A determined George then enlisted for full time duty with the Volunteer Defence Corps (VDC) in January 1942. He also gave the correct year of birth this time (1900).
From 11th January 1942 he served at Port Willunga as one of the Coast Watchers and was promoted to acting sergeant in May 1942. His duty there was to record any shipping and aircraft movements they observed. At least two other residents from this district took part in this duty at Port Willunga – Bill James and Albert Waye.
The men were stationed on the beach in one week blocks, camping below the cliffs - where a tin shed had been constructed.
In February of 1943 he was transferred to Port Lincoln (along with Albert Waye) to carry out a similar task there, but was finally discharged in June that year due to “a reduction in the establishment of his Regiment or Corps.”
For a period during the war, George was given the task of ensuring that everyone in Mt Compass blacked out their windows at night.
Following the war, he did operate a boot and shoe repair business for a while, from a room attached to the Hall.
By 1953 George and Lucy were living at Somerton Park, with George unable to work due to ill health. He passed away on 23rd August 1956 and was buried in the North Brighton Cemetery.
References: Heather Temby (nee McAllan), NAA Army Service Records, trove.nla.gov.au, sailis.Issa.com.au, Mt Compass Archives, Linton Jacobs.
