Allen, Frederick Joseph. Died 25 March 1918
Frederick was born in 1895, in Barkham, Berkshire to father, Frederick snr and mother Mary Ann. He was the first born and had only one sibling, a sister named Bertha. By the age of 16, Frederick had become a Carter at a local farm. In 1911 he lived with his parents by the California Park on Nine Mile Ride, Wokingham. His father was a labourer for the local council and during 1911, his younger sister was still attending school aged 14.
We are not sure exactly when Fred joined the army, but we do know he initially started with the Hampshire Regiment (number 21425) before fighting for the 10th Battalion of the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry (34664).
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On 25th March 1918, he was killed possibly during the Battle of Bapaume. This period was known as the Spring Offensive, when the Germans believed there was a window of opportunity to win the war by using newly released troops from the Eastern Front and before the USA could be fully mobilised. After initial successes, the attack petered out through lack of the resources starved from them by a succession of initiatives including naval blockades. Nevertheless, a high percentage of the war’s total casualties were taken from this time.
Frederick and Mary Ann had only two children (re 1911 Census) and to lose a single son must have been additionally painful. We know that Bertha married in 1923 and hope Frederick and Mary Ann had some grandchildren as solace. Frederick’s sister Bertha might have some grandchildren still alive, or even children in their eighties; we hope to find out more one day.
Name: ALLEN, FREDERICK JOSEPH
Initials: F J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry
Unit Text: 10th Bn.
Age: 23
Date of Death: 25/03/1918
Service No: 34664
Additional information: Son of Mr. and Mrs. F. Allen, of “California”, Nine Mile Ride, Wokingham, Berks.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Bay 6.
Memorial: ARRAS MEMORIAL
Nine Mile Ride, Wokingham, Berkshire