Name
William Edward Allen
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
23/04/1917
25
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
25935
Bedfordshire Regiment
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ARRAS MEMORIAL
Bay 5
France
Headstone Inscription
No Report
UK & Other Memorials
St. Martin’s Church Memorial, Knebworth (New), St. Martin’s Church Roll of Honour, Knebworth (New), St. Martin’s Church Framed Memorial, Knebworth (New), Not on the Harpenden memorials
Pre War
Born in 1892, the son of Edward J Allen and Francis (nee Payne) of 4, Station Road., Knebworth, Hertfordshire. His father was a Platelayer on the railways and William was one of 12 children. Resident in Harpenden.
Wartime Service
William enlisted in the Bedfordshire Regiment and was Private 25935, 1st Battalion. On the 23rd April 1917 his Battalion were engaged in an attack on the village of La Coulotte during fighting in the Zouave Valley. The Commanding Officer described the attack as “most hazardous” and praised his men for their efforts. As the attack moved forward one company became trapped between two belts of barbed wire, at some places over 15 feet thick, and an enemy communication trench. The Commanding Officer stated that his men were caught like rats and the Germans made good use of this by bringing heavy rifle and machine gun fire to bear on them.
William was killed in this action but his body was never recovered. He has no known grave and his name is recorded on the Arras Memorial, France
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £4 10s. and arrears of £2 8s 4d paid to Mary E Evans
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Paul Johnson
