Liverpool & South West Lancashire FHS - Forum

From CWGC
Rank:
Private
Service No:
12794
Date of Death:
15/06/1917
Age:
20
Regiment/Service:
South Lancashire Regiment

"D" Coy. 7th Bn.
Panel Reference
Panel 37.
Memorial
YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL
Additional Information:
Son of Joseph and Emma Allen, of 31, Milroy St., Liverpool.

This soldier's service papers survive.

Family details - all living at 31 Milroy St, Wavertree Rd ( 5/12/1919)
father: Joseph Allen
mother: Emma Allen
Brother: Alfred Ernest Allen age 20
Sisters: Constance Allen aged 16, Isabel Allen aged 13, Elizabeth Allen aged 6

The signature of the minister on the army form W 5080 was W.H. Lewis, " Westmorland Terrace, Botanic Road, Liverpool... could he be from St Cyprians?

A previous address for the family was 52 Cameron St, Kensington

The only thing that bothered me was that the middle initial of J wasn't mentioned, but I do think we have the right hero. He seems to have been known by "Joseph" when he was younger.

St Catherines, Edge Hill
Born 29 May, 1897 Baptised 13 June 1897 Joseph William Allen, 64 Cambria Street
Parents Joseph and Emma - occupation Engine Cleaner
also
Born 8 May 1899 Baptised 19 July 1899 Alfred Ernest Allen, 12 Sutherland Street
Parents Joseph and Emma - occupation Railway Servant

In 1901 they are living at 12 Sutherland Street, West Derby
Joseph Allen 28 General Labourer Cheshire Acton Bridge
Emma 27 Lancashire Liverpool
Joseph W son 3 " "
Alfred E son 1 " "
RG13; Piece: 3490; Folio: 87; Page: 18

and later at the same address the father is a pipelayer, and there are additional children Constance 7, Isabel 4 and Eleanor 1.

Possible newspaper article in the Evening Express.

I think I've solved the slight mystery about his name - he was christened Joseph William (St Catherine's Edge Hill 15th June 1897) but when he enlisted he lied about his age and swapped his names to William Joseph to throw them off the scent. At 17 he was old enough to enlist but he said he was 19 ie old enough to be sent to the front.

The parents and siblings names on the christening record and census for Joseph William Allen match those on the service papers for William Allen, it is definitely the same person.

Thanks Amanda

Roll of Honour notice for this soldier in the Evening Express. I'll copy and transcribe.