BULL ALLEN’S WIDOW HONOURED

When Naked Army started creating sculptures we wanted to create a sculpt that carried an iconic representation of Australians at War.

One image that leapt to mind was that of Corporal Leslie ‘Bull’ Allen carrying a wounded American soldier out of the action under intense Japanese fire, at Mount Tambu, New Guinea 1943.

During our research into the photograph, Bull’s records, and the action that took place, we tracked down Bull’s widow Mrs Jean Allen, with the intention of presenting her with the first casting of the completed sculpt.

RSL Ballarat President Mr Tom Jobling presented the statue to Mrs Allen. “It was a great occasion and a real honour for Tom and myself to be there representing both the late Jim Wallace and
Naked Army.

I even thought I seen a tear in Jean’s eyes at one stage and in talking to one of her sons, she has quite a story to tell. She was posted to the war zone with Vivian Bullwinkle but when they were evacuated embarked on a different ship and arrived safely in Australia. She also was sent back to repatriate and identify the survivors after the war.”

We are endebted to Mrs Allen, and to RSL Ballarat for making the presentation possible. And gratitude to Jim Wallace, who started the proceedings that led to the presentation.

BULL ALLEN’S WIDOW HONOUREDBallarat RSL President Tom Jobling with Jean Allen (right) and Kathleen Lorensini, whose husband Norm was brought in by Bull at Mt Tambu. (photo: Ballarat Courier)Mrs Jean Allen is presented BULL #001 by RSL Ballarat President Mr Tom Jobling (Ballarat Courier)