Return of Norman Neal and "Blue" Allen

"Blue" Allen

THERE was a happy interlude at the meeting of the PT Association on March 10, when there unexpectedly entered two popular residents of New Guinea —Lieut.-Colonel Norman Neal and Major H. T. (“Blue”) Allen, formerly of Wau, both looking fit and well after 2 i years in the Middle East.

Mr. Neal returned to Australia some time ago, with his lieutenant-colonelcy fresh on his shoulders, and already he has seen some service in the New Guinea area. “Blue” Allen is a more recent arri val in Australia—he carried out certain important liaison duties in the great battle at El Alamein, before departure, and actually saw General Montgomery and his Eighth Army start off on their extraordinary desert trek of 1,600 miles.

Both Allen and Neal are numbered among the “Rats of Tobruk”—both performed notable service there, and Allen was rewarded with the OBE.

Both officers were warmly welcomed by the members: and both, later on, expressed their appreciation of the work being done by the Association to protect the rights of the many Territories resi dents who now are serving with the armed forces.