Doing our bit, Mosman 1914-1918 -- Jack Manning Allport

confirmed

Born: 13 July 1895

Died: 20 February 1978

Added by: D.Christie /B. De Broglio

Jack Manning Allport was born on the 13th of July 1895 in St Leonards, NSW. His family lived at "Medbury", 6 Middle head Rd Mosman.
He later lived in Clifton St. Mosman at “Coombe Cottage” with his wife Edith.

On the 4th of January 1916, Jack aged 20yrs and 6 Months enlisted for the 7th Field Artillery-26th Battery. His enlistment forms stated his trade as “Motor Mechanic” and his next of Kin as his father Rolland Allport . His Service Number (S.N.) assigned was 18626. Jack had served previously with the “Militia” (Scouts)

Jack embarked from Sydney, New South Wales on board HMAT A8 Argyllshire on 11 May 1916

Jack was discharged from the 7th Field Artillery (Where he served as a "Gunner") and was appointed to the the Royal Flying Corps on 16th of March, 1917. Thereafter he served with 2 Squadron and 5 Squadron RFC. He flew as a pilot/ observer for aerial reconnaissance and bombing missions in 2 man single-engined machines (in the Armstrong Whitworth F.K.8 "Big Ack", R.E. 8 , and BE.2.c) fighting alongside S.E.5a's and Sopwith "Tripes"

According to his memoirs "We would quite often encounter the Albatros, Pfalz, D.F.W.'s and in the latter period, the Fokker Triplane."

Jack was awarded the Military Cross. The citation, published in the London Gazette (Issue 30643, 19 April 1918), reads:

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On one occasion during night flying he made four trips during a period of four hours, dropping sixty bombs on his two objectives with excellent results. On a later occasion, whilst on photographing work, he was attacked by six enemy machines, but by skilful manoeuvring he enabled his observer to shoot down in flames one enemy machine, another falling to pieces in the air. On several occasions he has carried out his tasks of photographing hostile battery positions and calibrating our long-range batteries on their targets under the most unfavourable conditions and with the excellent results, showing a magnificent example to the whole squadron.

The Sunday Times, Sydney, wrote:

Captain Jack Allport, of the Royal Flying Corps, has been awarded the Military Cross. He left two years ago as gunner in the 7th Field Artillery, and he is the fourth to obtain the Military Cross from his tent. He played football with the Mosman Rugby Union Club, and rowed (for Church of England Grammar School, North Sydney) in two winning crews in the Great Public Schools' championship.

Lieutenant Montgomerie's diary, for No 2 Squadron RFC (1918) notes the following entries:

Feb 20th Wes
Left Hazebrouck on 9.21 civilian train and arrived Bethune at 11. Met Gunson of Sherwood For. and Charlton of No 2 and a South African pilot. Dunkerly returned from leave, saw CO and posted to ‘A’ flight again. Found Hom and Broadbent had been killed on 18 Feb in a fight [claimed over Armentieres by Jasta 23 Lt.n M Gossner (1)]. In this fight Allport and Hammond were attacked and Hammond brought two down – one in flames and this is a very good performance.

[German records show one loss to Jasta 23Lt.n H Kutt WIA (1)]

Mar 1st Fri
Unsuccessful attempt at shoot on T 19 c11 60 with 237 SB owing to clouds. Farthing ‘wrote off’ a ‘B’ flight ‘bus’ on his practise landings. Allport and Hammond awarded MC for their work on the 18 th of last month in shooting those two Huns down, and they deserved it.

The following "Communiqué's" are also of note:

RFC Communiqué No 127
February 18
Enemy aircraft - Capt. J Allport and Lt. A W Hammond, 2 Squadron, while on photography, were attacked by six EA scouts. Lt. Hammond shot two down; one burst into flames and crashed, the other fell to pieces.
RFC Communiqué No 129
March 1
Honours and Awards
The Military Cross - Capt. J M Allport; Lt. A W Hammond;

The Jasta War Chronology, Franks, Bailey and Duiven ("2nd Lt Seton Montgomerie's war" From A Pilot's War stories and Squadron histories www.airwar1.org.uk)

Jack survived the war and lived as a local resident and with his family seemed to enjoy the recreational activities and diving at Clifton Gardens

He married his cousin Edith Evelyn "Mouse" Allport (1895-1978) in 1920.

Between July 1942 and June 1946, he served in the Royal Australian Naval Volunteer Reserve.