b'The Second World Wardepletes the ranksDuring the Second World War almost one third of AustralianAshurst) magnanimously agreed to look after the client on solicitors enlisted to serve their country in the armed services.condition that when Cowper and Reichenbach returned David Wigram Allen had inherited his father Denis Allens lovefrom war, the work would return to Allens. This was not of flying and joined the Royal Australian Air Force. Solicitoran uncommon arrangement, and after the war McIntyre William (Bob) Stevenson and articled clerk Alan Loxton alsopromptly handed the client files back. took leave to enlist. All three would return and become partners, though Loxton would forever be haunted by theIn 1940 partners Reginald and Herbert announced their horrors of being a prisoner of war. retirement. This was followed in 1941 by the death of Arthur, the longstanding doyen of the firm. For almost 120 Norman Cowper, who had been unable to enlist in the years the Allen family had been the owners of the firm and First World War due to poor health, was accepted this time.the death of Arthur brought an important change to the Gabriel Reichenbach also enlisted, as did Edward Culey andfirms financial structure. The now seven partners Taylor, newly appointed partner, William McMahon. McMahonDenis and Dundas Allen, Cowper, Reichenbach, Culey, and would not return to the firm after the war and insteadnewly appointed partner Geoffrey Davy acquired the firm turned his attention to politics. In 1971 he became thefrom Arthurs estate. At the end of the war, full partnership twentieth prime minister of Australia.rights were extended to all the partners. Until that point, all non- family members had only ever been salaried partners. Reichenbach was initially called to fight for France in The Allen family connection with the firm would extendthe Pacific (his father was French) but chose to volunteerto five generations, ending in 1984 with the retirementfor the Australian Army instead. His German- soundingof David Allen.name attracted great attention when he collected his military issue clothing, with the quartermaster calling out,In Melbourne, the firms of Hedderwick Fookes & Alston and Reichenbach how do you spell it? Followed by, WhoseArthur Robinson & Co also became depleted as partners and side are you on? staff left to fight in the war. At Hedderwicks, James Forrest, Jock Macindoe, John Starke, Rod Morell, Dick Shepherd and The departure of the younger partners left no one toSid Richards all went to war, along with two of the firms manage the firms commercial practice. The remainingemployee solicitors who rose to the rank of colonel (Colonels partners were much older Arthur Allen was seventy-six,Wilkinson and Forsythe). Sid Richards died in an aircraft Reginald Allen was eighty and Herbert Allen was seventy-disappearance and Dick Shepherd, decorated for his initiative five so the burden of steering the firm fell to Minton Taylor,and bravery, died at the Battle of El Alamein. Jock Macindoe supported by Denis and Dundas Allen. With no one left toreturned to the firm after four years as a prisoner of warlook after key client Australian Consolidated Press, Malcolmin Germany.Macintyre of Dawson Waldron Edwards & Nicholls (now 114'