New chapter for oldest veteran

CAPT Bob Richards presents a book to Navy veteran William Allen.

Photo: LSPH Phillip Hunt

A new book was one of the presents the RAN’s oldest veteran William Allen received as he celebrated his 105th birthday recently.

Mr Allen joined the RAN in 1914 as a Boy Seaman and served continuously for 33 years, departing the service in 1947.

Mr Allen saw war service in both world wars. He served in many ships, the names of which are now firmly entrenched in the history of the RAN.

Just prior to his birthday on July 24, Mr Allen was visited by the Commanding Officer, HMAS Cerberus, CAPT Bob Richards and CHAP Andrew Constance.

CAPT Richards presented Mr Allen with a pictorial history of HMAS Cerberus, an establishment that was not commissioned until seven years after Mr Allen first donned the uniform of the Royal Australian Navy.

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