Colin James Allen

My dad, Colin James Allen — Tania Martyn 

My dad, Colin James Allen, joined the Royal Australian Navy in 1962 while living down south in Deanmill, working as a milihand. He was 17 years old. He joined as a Recruit Cook and his number was R59263.

 He did his training at Cerberus before going on the HMAS Melbourne in 1964 for a couple of years and seeing action in Borneo. He was in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei from February to May in 1965 and then Vietnam from May to June1965 While being in Subic Bay the Melbourne was diverted to escort HMAS Sydney to Vietnam. He spent a lot of time at Leeuwin until 1969 when he spent time on the HMAS Moresby.

He received the Australian Active Service Medal 1945-75 with Clasps Malaysia and Vietnam, Vietnam Logistic and Support Medal, Australian Service Medal 1945 -75 with Clasp FESR and the Malay Peninsula Medal for Campaign Service.

Dad enjoyed the Navy but honourably discharged himself after his 9 years of enlistment to return to Western Australia. He then joined the Emergency Reserve from 1971 until 1976 when his engagement expired. He died in 1984 at age 38.

Tania Martyn is the daughter of Chris Allen — one of our war widows. Tania writes about a new Memorial being erected in Pemberton and also about her late father, Colin Allen who passed away in 1984.

  LEST WE FORGET 

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