Name
William Edward Allen
1892
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
N/A
UK & Other Memorials
Knebworth Village Memorial, Knebworth (Old), St Martin's Church Memorial, Knebworth (New), St Martin's Church Framed Memorial Knebworth (New), The British Legion -Knebworth & District Branch ROH, St Martin Church, Knebworth (New), St Mary & St Thomas Church Memorial, Knebworth Park, Diocese - Book of Remembrance, St Albans Cathedral, St Albans, Diocese of St Albans - ROH, St Albans Cathedral, St Albans, Not on the Harpenden memorials
Pre War
William Edward Allen was born in 1892 in Knebworth, Hertfordshire, the son of Edward and Frances Allen (nee Payne). He was one of thirteen children, although one died in infancy.
On the 1901 Census the family were living at Station Road, Knebworth, where his father was working as a G N R platelayer. They remained in Station Road in 1911 at which time William was working as a carman for railway goods.
William was said to be living in Harpenden at the time of enlistment. His parents' address was later recorded as 4 Station Road., Knebworth.
Wartime Service
William enlisted in Bedford and joined the Bedfordshire Regiment, serving as Private 25935 with the 1st Battalion.
On 23 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
His legatee, Mary E Evans, received a war gratuity of £4 10s and pay owing of £2 8s 4d. A pension card exists with his mother as dependant but no amount of pension is recorded.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper, Brenda Palmer
Paul Johnson
