Allen, Henry: Service no. 158529

CVWM Page

Digitized Service Record

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

Find-A-Grave

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:

1. Born in Gloucestershire, England.
2. He was killed in action (originally listed as unknown cause).
3. 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.
4. That he was married to Mabel Allen and they lived at 47 1/2 King Street, St. Catherines, Ontario.
5. He was a groom.
6. Served 8 months 19th Regiment and 11 years with the Royal Horse Artillery.
7. Enlisted September 28, 1915 in St. Catherines.
8. Could read and write as he signed his attestation papers.
9. Joined at the relatively old age of 43 years and 6 months.
10. 5′ and 4.5″ with a chest of 36 inches (3″ expansion) and was vaccinated.
11. Belonged to the Church of England.
12. Served in Europe.
13. Initially joined the 19th Regiment and was transferred to the 81st Battalion October 1, 1915.
14. He had anti-typhoid and tetanus inoculations.
15. Left his estate to his wife.
16. Left Halifax N.S May 1, 1916 and arrived Liverpool May 6, 1916 via the S.S. Olympic.
17. As of May 1915 he assigned $20.00 of his pay per month to his wife.
18. May 15, 1915 appointed acting Lance-Corporal at West Sandling.
19. Transferred to Shorncliffe  from 81st Reserve Battalion and taken on strength 18th Battalion June 6, 1916.
20. Reverted to a permanent grade of private June 21, 1916.
21. Joined 18th in the field on July 7, 1916.
22. Attached to 4th Field Company, Canadian Engineers in a Carrying Party August 29, 1916.
23. Returned to 18th Bn. October 4, 1916.
24. 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.
25. Killed in Action August 17, 1917,
26. 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.
27. His mother was most likely Mrs. E. Allen, The Weyhouse, Nr. Stroud, England.
28. A war service gratuity of $100.00 was paid to Mrs. Mabel Allen of 99 Henry Street, St. Catherines on June 27, 1920.
29. His pay records show that he had no demerits or fines associated to him during his service to Canada.