Frederick Allen. Died 5th March 1917
Although only one Frederick Allen is named on the memorial, there are two men with the same name who could be the source of remembrance. On these occasions we include both servicemen.
Frederick was born in Swallowfield to Frederick and Eliza Allen when they were both 21 years old. He was their first child. Frederick and Eliza went on to have 9 more children who lived and 2 who died in infancy. By 1911 they were all living in 5 rooms in Ryeish Green , Spencers Wood. Frederick Senior was a farm labourer and young Frederick at 15, was a domestic gardener. His younger sister May was at 14, already a general domestic servant.
We do not know when Fred enlisted in the army, but he did so in Reading and joined the Royal Berkshire Regiment in the Regular 2nd Battalion.
Although the Battle of the Somme came to an end during November of 1916, hostilities
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continued to take place all along the line for the rest of the war. An attack by the British just south east of Cambrai, was one of damaged communications and obliterated positions by heavy artillery fire which led to confusion and considerable losses by both sides. The losses over 2 days of heavy fighting, amounted to over 250 casualties and over 80 deaths including Frederick on March 5th 1917. Frederick is buried in Sorel-le-Grand German Cemetery, on the West side of Sorel village, opposite the Communal Cemetery. Here were buried, some by the enemy and some by their comrades, 17 soldiers from the United Kingdom who fell in 1916-18.
Name: ALLEN
Initials: F
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Royal Berkshire Regiment
Unit Text: 2nd Bn.
Age: 21
Date of Death: 05/03/1917
Service No: 13023
Additional information: Son of Mrs. Eliza Allen, of Ryesh Green, Spencer’s Wood, Reading.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: VII. E. 26.
Cemetery: FINS NEW BRITISH CEMETERY, SOREL-LE-GRAND
Ryesh Green, Spencers Wood, Reading.
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The following is an extract from John Chapman’s story of the Royal Berkshire Regiment’s journey throughout the First World War. To read more from this epic piece of research go to www.purley.eu.