Allen, Alfred James Benedict Joseph

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Alfred James Benedict Joseph Allen

2nd Lieutenant, 17th Royal Welsh Fusiliers
Killed in action, 3 March 1916, aged 20
Buried at Le Touret Military Cemetery, Richebourg-L’avoue, France

CWGC registered (Son of Alfred and Jane Monica Allen, of Great Orme, Llandudno)

OBLATE OF THE ORDER OF ST.BENEDICT “PAX”

Alfred James Benedict Joseph Allen was born at Aston Manor (now part of Birmingham) in 1895. He was the eldest son of Alfred Allen and his wife Jane Monica Allen (née Timmins) who had a pub and off-licence. Alfred attended St. John’s Preparatory School at Alton Castle in Staffordshire which was attached to a Roman Catholic convent run by the Sisters of Mercy. The 1911 Census records the family, including eight of Alfred’s siblings, living at Sutton Coldfield, Alfred (senior) being described as a retired house agent. Alfred (junior) is not recorded at that address though a James Allen, 14, born in Aston, is recorded as a visitor at another address at nearby Erdington.

Later, the family moved to Craig-y-Don. Alfred (junior) intended to become a Benedictine monk and studied at Catholic colleges at Mardesous and Bruges in Belgium.

On the outbreak of war, Alfred Allen joined the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. He was promoted to corporal and was commissioned as a temporary second lieutenant in the 17th (Service) Battalion (2nd North Wales) on 7 May 1915. The battalion had formed at Llandudno earlier that year. After training, the battalion left Winchester on 4 December 1915 and landed at Le Havre on the following day.

Alfred Allen was killed in action on 3 March 1916 aged 20 when he was shot by a sniper when he lifted his head above the parapet of the trench near Le Touret that he was occupying. He was buried at Le Touret Military Cemetery.

Later in 1916, Jane Allen gave birth to another son who was named Alfred JBV Allen. Sadly, he died shortly afterwards.

Known memorials:

  • Roll of Honour, St. John’s Preparatory School, Alton Castle
  • Llandudno Roll of Honour
  • Llandudno War Memorial
  • Memorial Chapel, Holy Trinity Church, Llandudno

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