Allen, Henry: Service no. 158529

Source: Duty Nobly Done Roll of Honour 18th Bn. compiled and edited by Edward H. Wigney.

Family Search: Private Henry Allen was born on 3 April 1872, in Gloucester, Gloucestershire, England, United Kingdom. He had at least 1 son with Mabel Poole. He immigrated to Canada in 1913 and lived in St. Catharines, Lincoln, Ontario, Canada in 1915. He registered for military service in 1915. In 1915, at the age of 43, his occupation is listed as groom, Devlin’s Livery Stable in St. Catharines, Lincoln, Ontario, Canada. He died on 17 August 1917, in Lens, Pas-de-Calais, France, at the age of 45, and was buried in Vimy, Pas-de-Calais, France.

Private Henry Allen, reg. no. 158529.

This man enlisted with the 81st Battalion on 28 September 1915, at St. Catherines, Ontario. He was a groom practicing the Anglican faith. He was married to Mabel Poole.

He had 8 months of military experience with the 19th Regiment and 11 years with the Royal Horse Artillery.

He embarked at Halifax, Nova Scotia, on 1 May 1916 on the SS Olympic and arrived at Liverpool on 6 May 1916. His battalion was stationed at West Sandling Camp, and he was appointed as an Acting Lance-Corporal on 15 June 1916. This appointment was cancelled on 24 June 1916, as he was transferred to the 18th Battalion, which required a reversion rank to Private.

He arrived at No. 1 Canadian Base Depot, Le Harve, on 29 June 1916. He stayed at this Depot until he proceeded to join his unit on 12 July 1916, arriving “in the field” on 14 July 1916.

Just over a month later, on 29 August 1916, he was attached to the 4th Field Company, Canadian Engineers with a carrying party. This attachment ended on 4 October 1916, returning him to the 18th Battalion.

He served until taken ill on 14 April 1917, with general myalgia, requiring his admittance to No. 2 Canadian Field Ambulance. He was then transferred to No. 47 General Hospital the next day. He was designated Class “A” for service on 7 May 1917 and sent to the Canadian Base Depot. He then proceeded to rejoin the 18th Battalion on 10 May, arriving “in the field” on 13 May 1917.

He was killed in action on 17 August 1918.

ADDITIONAL CASUALTIES, AMONG LOCAL SOLDIERS

PTE. HENRY ALLEN KILLED.—Telegraphic advice this morning received by Mrs. Mabel Allen from the Record office at Ottawa conveyed the word that her husband, Pte. H. Allen, had been killed in action on August 17th. This word was received at the family home, No. 40 William street. Pte. Allen enlisted with the 81st Battery and prior to enlisting was employed at Devlin’s livery stable.

The Standard. Fri, Aug 31, 1917 ·Page 1.

He died at the age of 45 years old on August 17, 1917 and from the Canadian Great War Project soldier page we find out the date he died; his regimental number, the place he is commemorated as he has no know grave and that he enlisted. His Canadian Virtual Memorial page is bereft of any information about him and we do not know much about him.

But now we know:

Born in Gloucestershire, England.
He was killed in action (originally listed as unknown cause).
That he was killed on August 17, 1917 during the attack and capture of Cotton Trench in the vicinity of the following coordinates: N.13.a. to N.13.b. and N.13.c. on map sheet 36c.S.W.
That he was married to Mabel Allen and they lived at 47 1/2 King Street, St. Catherines, Ontario.
He was a groom.
Served 8 months 19th Regiment and 11 years with the Royal Horse Artillery.
Enlisted September 28, 1915 in St. Catherines.
Could read and write as he signed his attestation papers.
Joined at the relatively old age of 43 years and 6 months.
5′ and 4.5″ with a chest of 36 inches (3″ expansion) and was vaccinated.
Belonged to the Church of England.
Served in Europe.
Initially joined the 19th Regiment and was transferred to the 81st Battalion October 1, 1915.
He had anti-typhoid and tetanus inoculations.
Left his estate to his wife.
Left Halifax N.S May 1, 1916 and arrived Liverpool May 6, 1916 via the S.S. Olympic.
As of May 1915 he assigned $20.00 of his pay per month to his wife.
May 15, 1915 appointed acting Lance-Corporal at West Sandling.
Transferred to Shorncliffe from 81st Reserve Battalion and taken on strength 18th Battalion June 6, 1916.
Reverted to a permanent grade of private June 21, 1916.
Joined 18th in the field on July 7, 1916.
Attached to 4th Field Company, Canadian Engineers in a Carrying Party August 29, 1916.
Returned to 18th Bn. October 4, 1916.
Suffered myalgia from April 4, 1917 to May 13, 1917 and stayed at the 2nd Canadian Field Ambulance, No. 47 General Hospital and the Canadian Base Depot.
Killed in Action August 17, 1917,
His Memorial Cross, plaque and scroll were forwarded as of June 5, 1920 to his widow Mrs. E. Allen living now 40 William Street, St. Catherines. They may have mixed up the first initial with his mother.
His mother was most likely Mrs. E. Allen, The Weyhouse, Nr. Stroud, England.
A war service gratuity of $100.00 was paid to Mrs. Mabel Allen of 99 Henry Street, St. Catherines on June 27, 1920.
His pay records show that he had no demerits or fines associated to him during his service to Canada.

Share this: