100 Days of Heroes: Footballer ‘Ocker’ Allsebrook made the ultimate sacrifice

NORTH Hobart footballer Gerald Allsebrook was commended for his valuable war service around the time of his fatal injuries at Gallipoli.

World War I soldier Gerald Gilbert Stanley Allsebrook is commemorated at tree #25 on the Soldiers' Memorial Avenue in Hobart.

GERALD Allsebrook had three given names but to his mates he was just “Ocker”.

He played football with North Hobart and was a member of its state premiership-winning team of 1914, although the newspapers spelled his name Aulsebrook.

His nickname must have been all-pervasive, as the football reports generally referred to him as O. Allsebrook (or Aulsebrook).

Just days after participating in the Red Legs’ win, Gerald Gilbert Stanley Allsebrook signed up for a much bigger contest, enlisting with the Army Medical Corps for service in World War I.

He stated his occupation as a painter and named his father, William, as his next of kin. Gerald was 20 and living at home with his family at 16 Star St, Sandy Bay.

He had been educated at the Albuera Street State School and had served in the medical section of the army cadets for two years.

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In November 1914 members of the North Hobart Football Club held a social night to farewell “one of the club’s sterling players in the person of Private G. Allsebrook, on the eve of his departure with the Army Medical Corps.”

He was presented with a wristwatch and club delegate William Leitch “referred in glowing terms to the sterling services rendered the club on the field in the past by Mr Allsebrook,” according to a report in The Daily Post.

Gerald Allsebrook before the war.

Gerald sailed from Australia on December 5, 1914, to serve with the 1st Australian Clearing Hospital at Gallipoli.

It appears he was a model soldier, with his only misdemeanour being a fine of five shillings (50c) for being absent from his tent at roll call on June 5, 1915.

Nine days later he was wounded in action at Gallipoli, suffering a gunshot wound and compound fracture of the lower leg.

He succumbed to his wounds on board the hospital ship Sicilia in harbour at Malta on June 20, in his 21st year.

Gerald was buried at the Pieta Military Cemetery in Malta, sharing a grave with another Australian soldier and a New Zealander.

On July 13, he received a special mention in Divisional Orders for gallantry or valuable service during the period from May 6 to June 28, 1915.

William Allsebrook wrote to Minister of Defence on July 7, desperately seeking more information about the death of his son.

Gerald Allsebrook’s grave in Malta, shared with fellow Australian soldier Harry Mercer-Smith and New Zealand soldier William Birdsall. Picture: AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL

“Sir, I was informed by the Venerable Archdeacon Whitington of this City, that my son, Private G. Allsebrook, 1st Australian Clearing Hospital, Registered No. 1395 — had died on or about the 20th June — from wounds — received in the battles in the Dardanelles.

Since that date upon which the death of my son was notified to me, I have not received any

further information or particulars as to my son’s death.

I now write and ask you to kindly inform me as to when and where my son died and also where he is buried. Also could you inform me of the engagement or battle he was wounded in, the nature of his wounds, and how long he lived afterwards.

His mother as well as myself are deeply anxious to know the particulars I have asked you.

If you cannot give me the particulars could you send (this) my letter on to Egypt, or where my son was taken to the Hospital, to those who had charge of him, and they may be able to give the particulars I have asked.

I apologise for troubling you, but the deep sorrow and grief to me and his mother at his death

must be my excuse.

I am Sir, Your Obedient Servant, W. Allsebrook, 16 Star St.”

A basic reply was sent via the army a week later, but in 1924 Mr Allsebrook was still seeking a fuller explanation.

His son’s personal effects eventually arrived home in two packages; one containing letters, photos, coins, pencil and comb, while the other held three razors, a salts bottle, holdall, postcards, letters and two hairbrushes.

In death notices and tributes published in the Hobart newspapers in the coming years, he was generally referred to as Gerald by his family and Ocker by his mates.

Private Gerald Gilbert Stanley Allsebrook is remembered at tree 25 on the Solders’ Memorial Avenue and on hoards at the Albuera St School, the Tasmanian Football League, the Hobart Town Hall and St George’s Church.

Gerald Allsebrook’s plaque on the Soldiers' Memorial Avenue.