BANFIELD, Allan Edgar (1875-1949)
Allan Edgar Banfield was born on 25 February 1875, the son of John Henry Banfield and Maria nee Carr. He was living at Malop St Geelong when he was enrolled in 1888 as a day student at Geelong College.
He enlisted (No. 2397A) in the AIF, 29 Battalion, 5th Reinforcement Group, on 18 January, 1916. Allan married Emma Cecilia Bettie, daughter of Joseph and Sarah Bettie, before he embarked on HMAT A68 Anchises on 14 March 1916, and on HMT Ivernia from Alexandria on 21 June. Their first child, Jack, was born in Carlton after his embarkation.
He transferred in France to 8 Machine Gun Company on 22 August. Promoted to sergeant on 24 March 1917, he transferred to Australian Army Pay Corps on 4 August. He took leave to England in September 1917 and again in September 1918. Admitted to 11 Casualty Clearing Station suffering influenza on 16 February 1919. Returned to Australia on HMT City of Exeter, embarking from Plymouth on 12 July 1919. He suffered from 'mal de mer' (sea sickness) on the return voyage, necessitating his disembarkation in Fremantle.
Allan Banfield died on 8 July 1949.
Sources: 'Geelong Collegians at the Great War' compiled by J Affleck. p135 (citing Pegasus; National Archives).