Thomas Allen MM (SN 732) was born in Melbourne where, as a 30 year old railway employee, he enlisted on July 12th 1915. He sailed from Melbourne aboard the Ascanius on November 10th. In March 1916, while in Egypt, he was assigned to the 13th Field Artillery Brigade and was moved to France in June. His gallantry in the field earned him a Military Medal, his citation reading 'On the morning of 13th May, 1918, while the 49th A.F.A. Battery was in action south of BONNAY, the position was included in a heavy bombardment of H.E. and Gas Shell. A shell struck a tree above one of the guns, burst and set fire to the camouflage. These men [ALLEN and 1012 A.A. CROZIER] immediately left their dug out, and by carrying water from a neighbouring pool, and pulling down the camouflage, extinguished the fire. Whilst doing this, both were subjected to considerable danger from shells, gas, and the fire, one of the men having his gas mask, which it was necessary to wear, burnt while on his face. Their untiring efforts succeeded in saving their gun and a large quantity of ammunition, and the action of these men in setting such a splendid example and their devotion to duty are deserving of special recognition.' On September 20th 1918 he received a gunshot wound to his left thigh and was evacuated to England. The war ended while he was still recovering, and he returned to Australia on the Mamari and was discharged on August 21st 1919.

Lucas’s Staffs Appreciation of Brave Men, the original Avenue register, records his name as Thomas Allan.