No.55855, Private, George Henry James ALLEN
Aged 32
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Born in Bury St.Edmunds in 1886 (Qtr 1 4a:725), son of James and Emily ALLEN (née SOAMES).
1891 census...Aged 5, he was at The Green, Melford with his father James ALLEN [48] domestic gardener born Melford; his mother Emily [45] born Bury St Edmunds; sisters Emily S [16] born Horringer and Ethel M [9] born Bury St.Edmunds His father died in 1892. 1901 census...Aged 15, a shop porter, he was at 44 Westgate Street, BSE with his widowed mother. In 1909 he married Getrude Elizabeth MIDDLEDITCH Their son, George Willam Simon was born at the end of 1909. 1911 census...Aged 25, an ostler, he was at 3 Reeds Buildings, Northgate Street, BSE with his wife of 2 years Gertrude [23] ad her sister Ethel MIDDLEDITCH. Their son George William [19 months] was with his wife's parents, Simon and Sarah MIDDLEDITCH at 7 Klondykes, Bury St Edmunds The pension card and medal index card have his mother at 48 Guildhall Street, Bury St.Edmunds. Strangely there is no mention found of a widow or child. It is to be hoped that the entry above regarding marriage etc actually is pertaining to George Henry James ALLEN. |
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He enlisted in Ipswich in 1915, joining the Army Service Corps as a baker and being posted almost immediately to France
On 25th March the battalion were north of the junction at Judas Farm:- B Coy, under Capt J.P.Jones, were, with the assistance of T.M.B engaged in an attack on MORY COPSE. and were taken in the rear and both flanks by the enemy and the ? failed to materialise. Held on, withe the Guards, till about 6 am, when we withdrew ro ERVILLERS, lining the road as a support line with the Bn HQ n QUARRY. Held this line all day. . Battalion withdrew to form a line through B18 and ?. Suffered heavy casualties by shelling, which was very intense on leaving ERVILLERS. Got to position by 4 pm and dug in to form an outpost line against sorties from ERVILLERS. At dusk recieved orders to withdraw via HAMELNCOURT-COURCELLES-LE COMTE-AYETTE-BUCQUOY. Arrived at MONCHY at 6:30 am. Men had breakfast. |
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