THE last Australian to fight in World War I, William Evan Allan, from Victoria, has died at the age of 106. The death of the former able seaman was confirmed by veterans affairs officials in Canberra. Mr Allan, from Melbourne, was also the sole surviving veteran of both world wars.Born in Bega in New South Wales in July 1899, Mr Allan enlisted in the Royal Australian Navy as a boy sailor at the outbreak of World War I when he was only 14 years old. As an able seaman, he was a member of the crew of HMAS Encounter from 1915 until 1918. He sailed in the Pacific and also in the Indian Ocean escorting troop ship convoys. Mr Allan served in the Royal Australian Navy for 34 years and also saw service in World War II. He retired from the navy in 1947 having attained the rank of lieutenant.
Mr Allan, who is survived by his daughter Judith Blake and grandchildren Duncan and Philippa, would be given a state funeral, said Victorian Premier Steve Bracks. Veterans Affairs Minister De-Anne Kelly expressed her sorrow at the passing of Mr Allan. She said he was the last remaining Australian to have seen active service and the last sailor who served in the Royal Australian Navy during World War I. "Mr Allan and his fellow servicemen were a vital part of the Australian forces during World War I. Their tireless devotion to duty was a credit to them and Australia," Mrs Kelly said. "Our World War I veterans helped to build this nation that we love. Mr Allan was just a boy when he went to war, much younger than most. His sacrifice is remembered and we honour him for his service."
Australia's proud naval tradition was built by men like Mr Allan who served more than 30 years in the navy, seeing service during World War II, Mrs Kelly said. "With his passing, we have lost an entire generation who left Australia to defend our nation, the British Empire and other nations in the cause of freedom and democracy," she said.
In WWI, Mr Allan's ship, the light cruiser HMAS Encounter, took part in the search for the infamous German raider Wolfe, which had been causing havoc with Allied shipping. Mr Allan continued his career with the RAN between the two world wars, being promoted and acquiring additional qualifications. During World War II, he served at sea in the Royal Navy armed merchant cruiser HMS Moreton Bay, as well as at Flinders Naval Depot, as Piermaster at HMAS Ladava at Milne Bay, New Guinea, in 1944, aboard HMAS Australia and as an instructor at HMAS Cerberus.
He had lived as a boy on a family property in Upper Brogo, New South Wales, and after leaving the navy returned to the land, this time on a small farm near Frankston, Victoria. In 1999, Mr Allan received the 80th Anniversary Armistice Remembrance Medal, awarded to all living Australian World War I veterans. He was also awarded the King's Silver Jubilee Medal in 1935, the King's Coronation Medal in 1937 and the Australian Centenary Medal for the 2001 Centenary of Federation.
Only one former Australian WWI digger now remains alive. Wireless operator John Campbell Ross, 106, of Bendigo in Victoria, enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in February 1918 but the war ended before he saw active service.