Name
Arthur Ernest Allen
5/07/1887
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
05/02/1916
28
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Company Serjeant Major
11976
Royal Fusiliers *1
12th (County of London) Bn.
2nd Coy.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
BOULOGNE EASTERN CEMETERY
VIII. D. 51.
France
Headstone Inscription
SLEEP ON DEAR ONE AND TAKE THY REST PEACE PERFECT PEACE
UK & Other Memorials
Cheshunt Town Memorial, Church of St Mary the Virgin Memorial, Cheshunt, St Clemence Church Memorial, Turnford
Pre War
Arthur Ernest Allan was born in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, on 5 July 1887, son of William Allan a, Nurseryman Labourer and Jane Ann Elizabeth Allen (nee Squires). One of six children although one died in infancy. He was baptised in the Parish of Cheshunt, Herts, on 24 July 1887.
Arthur started school at St. Mary’s Infants school, Cheshunt, on 9 June 1890, leaving on 23 December 1892.
1891 Census records Arthur aged 3, living with his parents, and brother Henry (8), in Cheshunt Street, Cheshunt, Herts, the family had a Lodger Harry Darlow. 1901 Census records Arthur aged 13, working as a Nursery Labourer, living with his parents, brothers Sidney (8), Albert (4), and sister Maud (6), at 192 High Street, Cheshunt, Herts. The family had a boarder, Percy Whorne.
Arthur enlisted in the Royal Fusiliers. The 1911 census records Arthur aged 23, single, and a Lance Corporal in the 3rd Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, stationed at Vacoas, Mauritius.
Wartime Service
At the outbreak of war Arthur was a serving soldier, it is not known when he joined the 12th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment). His medal card records he arrived in France on 6 October 1915.
He died on 5 February 1916, at the 13th General Hospital, Boulogne, France, of wounds he had received.
At the time of his death, he is recorded as Company Sergeant Major 11976 Arthur Ernest Allen, serving with the 12th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers.
“The 12th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers was formed at Hounslow, Middx, in September 1914, as part of Kitchener’s K3, and came under the command of 73rd Brigade, 24th Division, moved to Shoreham-by-Sea and later they moved to Pirbright Camp, Surrey.
The Battalion sailed from Folkstone for Boulogne, France, arriving there on 1 September 1915. In October of the same year the Battalion was transferred to the 17th Brigade, still with the 24th Division”.
Additional Information
His mother, Mrs. W. Allen, 192 High St. Cheshunt, Herts., ordered his headstone inscription: "SLEEP ON DEAR ONE AND TAKE THY REST PEACE PERFECT PEACE". His effects of £21-14s-3d, Pay Owing and a War Gratuity of £15-10s-00d, went to his mother Jane.
*1 Believed more correctly, (County of London)
Bn. London Regiment (The Rangers).
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
Jonty Wild
