Sydney Raymond's Story.
Sydney Raymond Allen was born in Seaforth, Liverpool, on 10th March 1894, the son of George Thomas and Ada Eliza Allen. His father had been born at Kirkburn, Yorkshire, in 1857, and his mother had been born in 1864, in Liverpool. George Thomas Allen was a Provision Broker, and they married in 1888. By 1911, he was living with his wife, Ada Eliza Allen at “Kirkburn”, 5, Alexandra Road, Waterloo, Liverpool. Living with them were their 6 surviving (they had lost one child) children: James George (born 1890), Eileen Ada (born 1892), Sydney Raymond (born 1894), Kenneth Harris (born 1896), Dudley (born 1899), and Ronald Hare (born 1901). Living with the Allen’s was their niece, Enid Annie Caton (a Domestic Science Teacher), a Domestic Cook (Maggie Elizabeth Crelly) (19), and a Domestic Housemaid (Mary Alice Duffy) (18).
Having been educated at Great Crosby Merchant Taylor’s School, Sydney Raymond Allen was apprenticed to Meesrs. Alfred Dobell & Co. (Timber Merchants). By the outbreak of the Great War, he was living with his family at 42, Carlton Road, Birkenhead, but his family later moved to 8, Alexandra Road, Oxton, Birkenhead.
On 10th August 1914, he presented himself for enlistment into the 1st/6th (Territorial) Bn. Kings (Liverpool) Regiment, and was given the regimental number 2003, and served as a Rifleman in “H” Coy. This battalion was at Princess Park Barracks, Upper Warwick Street, Liverpool, as part of the Liverpool Brigade, West Lancashire Division. In the Autumn of 1914, it was sent to Canterbury, and was drafted to France on 24th February 1915, embarking on board the S.S. City of Edinburgh at Southampton. Rifleman Allen was serving at Ypres, Belgium, when he was granted a commission into the 16th (1st City) Bn. Manchester Regiment on 18th March 1915. This battalion had been raised by the Lord Mayor and City of Manchester, on 28th August 1914, and was then sent to Heaton Park, where it remained until April 1915. In that month it was sent to Belton Park camp, Grantham, where it became a part of 90th Brigade, 30th Division. On 29th August 1915, the battalion was officially taken over by the War Office, and during the following month was sent to Larkhill, where it remained until it was drafted over to France on 6th November 1915. During Second Lieutenant Allen’s time spent at the front with this battalion, he had actually gone out into “No Man’s Land” and brought in a fellow officer who had been wounded and thus saved his life – the German front line was only 40 yards away. He went on to serve with “D” Coy., 16th Manchester’s, until his battalion took part in the attack on the village of Montauban, on 1st July 1916. He was killed in action on this day (although some official documents state 2nd July 1916) leading a bombing party towards the German front line. His brother, Lieutenant Kenneth Harris Allen was seriously wounded further forward from Sydney Raymond Allen’s position, serving with the 19th Manchesters. Second Lieutenant Allen’s father received the following telegram on 7th July 1916 : “Deeply regret to inform you that lieutenant S.R. Allen 16th Manchester Regiment was killed in action 1st July. The Army Council expresses their sympathy.”
His body was never recovered and identified from the battlefield (although one official source claimed that his grave had been marked by a wooden cross. This may have been lost as a result of shell-fire after his burial) and is therefore commemorated by name only on Pier 13 & 14, Face A & C, of the Thiepval Memorial, France.
After his death his father had received his son’s belongings, consisting of 1x revolver, 1x wrist watch/strap & medal, 1x whistle, 1x identity disc, 1x pipe cleaner, 1x nail file, 1x notecase & photo, 1x card case & stamp, 1x cheque book, and 1x Officers Advance Book, in late 1916. He had been suffering with ill health for a considerable time, and his son had been supporting his father and the rest of his family by sending home part of his pay. On 29th September 1916, he applied to the army for compensation, but it is not known if his application was successful.
His medal entitlement consisted of Memorial Plaque, 1914/15 Star, British War Medal, and Victory Medal.
He had three other brothers that served. Lieutenant James George Allen had previously served for a year in the old Volunteers (prior to the formation of the Territorial Force), followed by a further three years in the 1st/5th (Territorial) Bn Kings (Liverpool) Regiment, followed by four years with the King Edward’s Horse, Kings Overseas Dominions Regiment, from which he took his commission into the 14th Bn Kings (Liverpool) Regiment. He saw service in Salonika, before being transferred over to the 19th (3rd City) Bn Kings (Liverpool) Regiment, serving in France. Lieutenant Kenneth Harris Allen, had, like Sydney, had served as a junior rank in the Territorial Force, serving with the 1st/5th (Territorial) Bn. Kings (Liverpool) Regiment, and later gained a commission into the 19th (1st City) Bn. Manchester Regiment, and was severely wounded in action on 1st July 1916, as mentioned above. He later saw service with the 13th Manchester’s in Salonika, and back in France with the 9th Manchester’s, dying from wounds on 11th October 1918. The third brother to serve was 41853 Lance Corporal Dudley Allen, 4th Bn Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, who went on to survive the war.
Sydney Raymond Allen is also commemorated on the Merchant Taylors School Memorial, Crosby, Liverpool.
Family application form requesting Sydney to be added to the Birkenhead War Memorial.
Researched and compiled by Peter Threlfall.
Birkenhead News 12 July 1916
Having been educated at Great Crosby Merchant Taylor’s School, Sydney Raymond Allen was apprenticed to Meesrs. Alfred Dobell & Co. (Timber Merchants). By the outbreak of the Great War, he was living with his family at 42, Carlton Road, Birkenhead, but his family later moved to 8, Alexandra Road, Oxton, Birkenhead.
On 10th August 1914, he presented himself for enlistment into the 1st/6th (Territorial) Bn. Kings (Liverpool) Regiment, and was given the regimental number 2003, and served as a Rifleman in “H” Coy. This battalion was at Princess Park Barracks, Upper Warwick Street, Liverpool, as part of the Liverpool Brigade, West Lancashire Division. In the Autumn of 1914, it was sent to Canterbury, and was drafted to France on 24th February 1915, embarking on board the S.S. City of Edinburgh at Southampton. Rifleman Allen was serving at Ypres, Belgium, when he was granted a commission into the 16th (1st City) Bn. Manchester Regiment on 18th March 1915. This battalion had been raised by the Lord Mayor and City of Manchester, on 28th August 1914, and was then sent to Heaton Park, where it remained until April 1915. In that month it was sent to Belton Park camp, Grantham, where it became a part of 90th Brigade, 30th Division. On 29th August 1915, the battalion was officially taken over by the War Office, and during the following month was sent to Larkhill, where it remained until it was drafted over to France on 6th November 1915. During Second Lieutenant Allen’s time spent at the front with this battalion, he had actually gone out into “No Man’s Land” and brought in a fellow officer who had been wounded and thus saved his life – the German front line was only 40 yards away. He went on to serve with “D” Coy., 16th Manchester’s, until his battalion took part in the attack on the village of Montauban, on 1st July 1916. He was killed in action on this day (although some official documents state 2nd July 1916) leading a bombing party towards the German front line. His brother, Lieutenant Kenneth Harris Allen was seriously wounded further forward from Sydney Raymond Allen’s position, serving with the 19th Manchesters. Second Lieutenant Allen’s father received the following telegram on 7th July 1916 : “Deeply regret to inform you that lieutenant S.R. Allen 16th Manchester Regiment was killed in action 1st July. The Army Council expresses their sympathy.”
His body was never recovered and identified from the battlefield (although one official source claimed that his grave had been marked by a wooden cross. This may have been lost as a result of shell-fire after his burial) and is therefore commemorated by name only on Pier 13 & 14, Face A & C, of the Thiepval Memorial, France.
After his death his father had received his son’s belongings, consisting of 1x revolver, 1x wrist watch/strap & medal, 1x whistle, 1x identity disc, 1x pipe cleaner, 1x nail file, 1x notecase & photo, 1x card case & stamp, 1x cheque book, and 1x Officers Advance Book, in late 1916. He had been suffering with ill health for a considerable time, and his son had been supporting his father and the rest of his family by sending home part of his pay. On 29th September 1916, he applied to the army for compensation, but it is not known if his application was successful.
His medal entitlement consisted of Memorial Plaque, 1914/15 Star, British War Medal, and Victory Medal.
He had three other brothers that served. Lieutenant James George Allen had previously served for a year in the old Volunteers (prior to the formation of the Territorial Force), followed by a further three years in the 1st/5th (Territorial) Bn Kings (Liverpool) Regiment, followed by four years with the King Edward’s Horse, Kings Overseas Dominions Regiment, from which he took his commission into the 14th Bn Kings (Liverpool) Regiment. He saw service in Salonika, before being transferred over to the 19th (3rd City) Bn Kings (Liverpool) Regiment, serving in France. Lieutenant Kenneth Harris Allen, had, like Sydney, had served as a junior rank in the Territorial Force, serving with the 1st/5th (Territorial) Bn. Kings (Liverpool) Regiment, and later gained a commission into the 19th (1st City) Bn. Manchester Regiment, and was severely wounded in action on 1st July 1916, as mentioned above. He later saw service with the 13th Manchester’s in Salonika, and back in France with the 9th Manchester’s, dying from wounds on 11th October 1918. The third brother to serve was 41853 Lance Corporal Dudley Allen, 4th Bn Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, who went on to survive the war.
Sydney Raymond Allen is also commemorated on the Merchant Taylors School Memorial, Crosby, Liverpool.
Family application form requesting Sydney to be added to the Birkenhead War Memorial.
Researched and compiled by Peter Threlfall.
Birkenhead News 12 July 1916
TWO BROTHERS.
One Killed and One Wounded.
We regret to announce that Mr. and Mrs. George Allen, of 8, Alexandra Road, have received word that their second son, 2nd Lieut. Sydney R. Allen, aged 22, was killed instantly on 1st July.
Lieut. Allen joined the 6th Liverpool Regt., when war broke out. Afterwards he gained a commission in the Manchesters, and went out with his regiment last November, coming home in May for a few days leave. In a letter received by Mr. Allen from a brother officer it is stated that Lieut. S. R. Allen was shot head through the head whilst crawling along the ground to see where the Germans were.
Lieut. S. R. Allen was educated at the Merchant Taylors School, and at the time of joining was serving his articles with Messrs. Dobell and Co., timber merchants. Whilst at school Lieut. Allen was a keen rugby player, but since entering business had not had sufficient spare time at his disposal to continue his enthusiasm. Mr. and Mrs. have five sons, three of whom joined the colours. The remaining two who are serving are 2nd Lieut. Kenneth Allen, who is the third son, belonging to the 19th Manchester Regt., and is now in hospital severely wounded in the hip, and 2nd Lieut. George Allen, who is in the 14th Liverpool Regt., has seen active service, and expects shortly to go again to the front.
In 2023, following research, a request with supporting evidence, was submitted on behalf of the Cheshire Roll of Honour to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission to amend the date of Sydney Allen's death to the correct date of 1st July 1916. This submission was accepted and the correct date duly recorded on their records.
Sydney's brother Kenneth Harris Allen, also of the Manchester Regiment, died of wounds on the 11th October 1918.
Birkenhead News article by Chris Booth.
In 2023, following research, a request with supporting evidence, was submitted on behalf of the Cheshire Roll of Honour to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission to amend the date of Sydney Allen's death to the correct date of 1st July 1916. This submission was accepted and the correct date duly recorded on their records.
Sydney's brother Kenneth Harris Allen, also of the Manchester Regiment, died of wounds on the 11th October 1918.
Birkenhead News article by Chris Booth.