James William (Wally) Allan (SN 10577/Lt.) born in Ballarat, was a 21 year old journalist when he enlisted in Ballarat on July 24th 1915. After Signal School training he embarked aboard the Ascanius on May 27th 1916 and sailed to England. In September he was found guilty of being absent without leave for 10 days. In November he reached France to serve with the 3rd Division Signal Company and despite his earlier misconduct he was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant in December 1917 then to Lieutenant in March 1918. At war’s end he was transferred to the War Records Section for work in London and in France. He returned to Australia aboard the Friedrichsruh, disembarked at Melbourne on March 9th 1920 and his appointment was terminated on August 5th.

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