Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

Peter Allan was born on 27 June 1892 at Rangitira Valley, Temuka, the youngest son of Alexander Mair and Mary Ellen (Ellen, née Scollard) Allan. Scottish-born Alexander and Irish-born Ellen married in New Zealand in 1875. They had five sons and three daughters, one son dying in 1891 at 19 months. Little William had climbed up on a low chair to get his hat off a box and fallen between the chair and the box. He seemed unharmed for about an hour then went into a fit and died. The children were all educated at Rangitira Valley School, Peter starting there a few months after his fifth birthday. The 1900 annual picnic and distribution of prizes took place in late December, Peter being awarded a Standard I prize and his sister Hannah getting several mentions. “The afternoon passed very enjoyably with various games, the committee working hard to make the little ones happy.” In 1901 he was awarded at Standard II prize. For the annual picnic and prize-giving in December 1903, “the weather was just what one would desire . . . . . Besides the ordinary proficiency and sewing prizes, the committee purchased a large number of useful and ornamental articles, which were won by the children in the various races.” Peter received a Proficiency prize for 3rd equal in Standard III. In 1904 he received a Standard IV Proficiency prize and in 1905 a Standard V Proficiency prize.

The first meeting of creditors regarding the bankruptcy of Alexander Mair Allan, of Waitohi, farmer, was held in mid-June 1888. He had applied for an order of discharge in March 1886, which was granted. An order for discharge was applied for again in September 1888. A. M. Allan was still a farmer at Waitohi when he gave evidence in court on 4 March 1889. At the beginning of February 1904, Mr W. Wright, of Rangitira Valley, requested necessary alterations to be made on the Temuka Road Board roll, as he had sold his farm in lots (enumerated) to Messrs J. Davey, J. Talbot, A. M. Allan, Alex. Allan, Jas. Allan, and E. F. O’Neil; that is Alexander Mair Allan and his two oldest sons, Alexander and James.

Mrs A. M. (Ellen) Allan died on 18 November 1910 at her Rangitira Valley residence and was buried at Temuka. For several years her loving family inserted a memorial notice in the newspaper – (1911) “How wo miss thee dearest mother, None but our sad hearts can tell. A place is vacant in our home Which never can be filled. Rest, dear mother, your work is o’er, Your loving hands will toil no more, Till God alone did think it best, To ease yon from suffering and give you rest, But in heaven we hope to meet.” (1912) “Two long years have passed, dear mother, Since you crossed the great divide; There to wait your loved ones’ coming In the land beyond the tide, Two years have passed, our hearts are sore, As time goes on we miss you more, Your loving voice, your welcome face, There’s none can fill our mother’s place.” Peter Allan, of Rangatira Valley, was a witness to his sister Johanna Catherine’s marriage at Winchester in 1910.

In early June 1917, Peter Allan, farmer, Temuka, was drawn in the 8th Ballot to serve in the N.Z. Expeditionary Forces. He was medically examined at Timaru on 21 June 1917. He stood at 5 feet 4 inches, weighed 131 pounds, had a chest measurement of 34½-36 inches, a dark complexion, brown eyes and dark brown hair. His sight, hearing, colour vision, heart and lungs were all normal; his limbs and chest well formed. Free from diseases and in good bodily and mental health, he was assessed Class A. He had had pneumonia 4 years earlier and was not vaccinated. Dental treatment was recommended. He enlisted at Timaru on the same day, having registered for compulsory military training at Waitohi. He had previously been rejected for military service on account of asthma. On 23 June 1917 Peter Allan was granted leave without pay until noon on 23 July. He married Christina Harriet Johnson on 17 July 1917 at Waitohi Flat, Temuka. He was then able to name his wife as next-of-kin – Mrs Christina Harriet Allan, Waitohi Flat, Temuka.

On 23 July 1917, the “Temuka and Geraldine quotas for the 32nd Reinforcements, and their relatives, were entertained at luncheon in the Drill Hall by the ladies of the Temuka Patriotic Entertainment Committee, a splendid meal bring provided and served.” A first-rate programme of musical items was contributed, both during the meal and afterwards. After hearty cheers were given for the recruits. Colonel Mclnnes, Salvation Army, addressed the boys at some length, urging them to be true to their principles. A procession was then formed outside the hall and, headed by the Temuka Brass and Pipe Bands playing spirited music, the men were escorted to the railway station, where the Mayor gave a short address and wished them “God-speed and a safe return. At the call of the Mayor, three cheers were given for the men, after which selections were given by the Brass and Pipe Bands and Mr Torepe’s Company sang a Maori song, and concluded with “God be with you till we meet again.” As the train steamed away the men were again heartily cheered. Near the top of the list of departing men was P. Allan.

The Temuka and Geraldine recruits of the Thirty-third Reinforcements left for camp on 20 August 1917. They had been tendered a send-off in the Dominion Theatre a few days before, several local performers giving their assistance in the unavoidable absence of the regular entertainer. A most successful concert was wound up with the National Anthem, and cheers for the boys who are going away and those at the front. On Monday, 20 August, the men and their relatives were entertained to afternoon tea in the Drill Hall by the ladies of the Temuka Patriotic Entertainment Committee and brief patriotic addresses were delivered. A great programme of songs, haka and recitation was given. At 1.30 p.m. the men lined up outside the hall and, headed by the Temuka Brass and Pipe Bands, marched to the station. As the train came in, Hermione Torepe’s Maori Troupe sang a Maori farewell song. Cheers given for the boys who were going away, and for those at the front. One of those who answered the roll call was P. Allan.

On arrival at camp, Allan was posted to the 31st Reinforcements. Private P. Allan embarked with the Second Draft of the 31st Reinforcements, leaving from Wellington on 22 November 1917 per the “Willochra”. Disembarking at Liverpool, England on 7 January 1918, he marched into Sling and was posted to the 4th Otago Reserve Battalion. On 26 February 1918, he was admitted to No. 18 Military Hospital at Tidworth, with asthma. By 2 April he was dangerously ill with bronchial pneumonia. Removed from the dangerously ill list on 15 April, he was transferred to the Convalescent Hospital at Hornchurch on 10 May. He was classified unfit on 13 June. He was confined to barracks for two days for absence without leave on 4 August. He had previously forfeited pay at Featherston for overstaying his leave.

Peter Allan embarked at Southampton on 28 August 1918 and transferred to the Hospital Ship “Maheno” at Marseilles, arriving on 23 October 1918. Mrs C. H. Allan, Waitohi Flat, received cable advice earlier in October, that her husband, Private P. Allan, was returning to New Zealand at an early date. All his time overseas had been in England, for the most part in hospital. He was discharged on 16 October 1919, no longer physically fit for war service on account of asthma. Peter was one of 45 returned soldiers who were presented with gold medals at a most memorable gathering organised by the Waitohi Flat Presentation and Memorial Committee and held in the Waitohi schoolroom in November 1919. An enjoyable concert was provided before the returned soldiers, assembled in the front seats, were thanked and welcomed home. All involved were thanked for their kindness and mementoes of the war and the ladies of Waitohi were thanked for the much-valued parcels sent to the front. On his return, Peter was farming at Waitohi Flat. As of January 1921, his address was Pleasant Point.

By 1922 Peter and Christina were at Waihao Downs, where he was a ploughman. They were in the Mackenzie Country when their third child (a daughter) was born on 28 June 1923 at Nurse Mallett’s Marama Hospital, Temuka. On the afternoon of 28 June 1924, a motorist ran over two dogs in King Street, Temuka, in front of the Empire Hotel. “Both animals were killed. One dog was a valuable collie, owned by Mr Peter Allen, of Waitohi, who had only the day before refused the sum of £l6 10s for it.” Peter and Christina moved to Pleasant Valley, where they were at Pleasant Valley when their second daughter was born on 19 August 1924 at Nurse Mallett’s. They went next to Glenmore Station at Lake Tekapo, and in the 1930s to Burke’s Pass where the children were educated. While in the Mackenzie, Peter became involved with the Mackenzie Collie Dog Club, being elected to the general committee in August 1930.

In April 1939 they took up residence at Temuka. “Mr and Mrs Peter Allan and family, popular residents of Burke’s Pass, who are leaving to take up residence in Temuka, were farewelled at a largely attended function in the Burke’s Pass School. Mr J. H. Willetts, who made a presentation on behalf of the residents, made reference to the work Mr and Mrs Allan had done in the district. They had always given their time freely to the public and social work of the district and Burke’s Pass would miss them greatly. Mr Willetts wished them every success in their new home and expressed a hope that they would continue to regard the people of Burke’s Pass as their friends. Mr D. C. Kidd, M.P., also expressed appreciation of the good work of the family and wished them happiness in the future. Mrs Scott made a presentation to Mrs Allan on behalf of the Women’s Institute. A presentation was also made by Mrs Geo. Ross on behalf of members of the Tennis Club, of which Mrs Allan was president.” [Timaru Herald. 14 April 1939.] Peter and others were fined in June 1939 for not having warrants of fitness for cars. Mr and Mrs P. Allan won one of the waltzes at a euchre party and dance organised by the St Joseph’s social Club in September 1940.

Peter’s father, Alexander Mair Allan, died on 17 July 1926 at Christchurch and was buried at Temuka with his wife and infant son, the funeral leaving his daughter’s Waitohi residence. The family of the late Alexander Mair Allan, late of Rangitira Valley, thanked all kind friends and neighbours for their messages and expressions of sympathy in their sad bereavement. He died intestate, having cash in the Public Trust Office. Peter Allan died at his Temuka residence on 28 August 1956, aged 64 years. He was survived by his wife, three sons and two daughters. His funeral left his residence for the Temuka Cemetery, where members of the Temuka R.S.A. paraded as a mark of respect for their late comrade. He was buried in the Services section and a services stone marks his grave. Christina died in August 1990 and was buried in the general section of the Temuka Cemetery. Two older brothers of Peter served in World War One – Alexander Allan and Garret Allan. Two of his sons served in World War - Alexander William Allan (Bill) and Mervyn Peter Allan; as did a nephew – James Garret Allan, son of his brother James.

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [25 July 2016]; NZ Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives NZ Ref. AABK 18805 W5520 0007579) [26 July 2016]; NZ BDM Indexes (Department of Internal Affairs) [25 July 2016]; School Admission record (South Canterbury Branch NZSG) [25 July 2016]; Temuka Cemetery headstone images (Timaru District Council) [25 July 2016]; Timaru Herald, 29 August 1956 (Timaru District Library) [27 July 2016]; South Canterbury Times, 15 & 16 March 1886, 15 September 1888, Temuka Leader, 28 June 1888, 3 September 1891, 1 January 1901, 21 December 1901, 29 December 1903, 4 February 1904, 29 December 1904, 28 December 1905, 19 November 1910, 18 November 1911, 18 November 1912, 7 & 21 June 1917, 24 & 31 July 1917, 18 & 21 August 1917, 11 April 1918, 12 October 1918, 1 July 1924, Timaru Herald, 17 November 1913, 7 21 June 1917, 28 July 1917, 7 & 18 August 1917, 18 March 1918, 10 April 1918, 10 October 1918, 10 November 1919, 29 June 1923, 20 August 1924, 19 & 30 July 1926, 20 August 1930, 14 & 24 April 1939, 13 June 1939, 20 September 1940, Press, 12 October 1918 (Papers Past) [27, 28, 29 & 31 December 2024; 01 January 2025]; Lyttelton Times, 21 August 1917 (Papers Past) [July 2023; December 2024; 01 & 02 January 2025]; NZ Electoral Rolls (ancestry.com.au) [26 July 2016; 27 December 2024]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

Related Documents

• ALLAN Peter - newspaper clippings (pdf, 198.7 KB updated 18-Feb-2025)

Researched and Written by

Teresa Scott, SC Genealogy Scoiety

Currently Assigned to

TS