Sergeant William M. Allen, R.A.S.C. (1913 - 1944)
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| Sergeant William M. Allen, R.A.S.C. |
From Whitehaven, Cumberland
Killed in Normandy (June 1944)
Photograph: Courtesy of 'The Whitehaven News'
For additional information click on 'Comments' below'.
posted by ritsonvaljos at 6:55 pm
1 Comments:
Additional information
Some biographical information
Sergeant William Moore Allen, R.A.S.C. (1913 - 1944) from Rosemary Gardens, Whitehaven, Cumberland (now Cumbria) was the eldest son of Andrew Allen and Edith Allen (née Moore) who had married in 1910. Mr and Mrs Allen's other children were Joseph (born 1919) and Edith (born 1922).
Sergeant William Allen lost his life on 10 June 1944 during the Normandy campaign and is buried in Bayeux War Cemetery (Grave Ref. XIV.H.16). Sergeant Allen was 31 years old when he was killed. Earlier in the war Sergeant Allen had been one of General Montgomery's 'Desert Rats' during the North African campaign.One of Sergeant Allen's most prized possessions he left behind for his parents was a Certificate of Service personally signed by General Montgomery.
It was while serving in North Africa that Sergeant Allen wrote to his local newspaper, 'The Whitehaven News' to ask if a special broadcast could be arranged by the BBC dedicated to all Cumbrian troops serving overseas. As a result, the Canadian-born theatre organist Sandy MacPherson recorded a special 'Cumberland programme' recorded at Carlisle, the capital city of Cumberland. Sergeant Allen's sister Edith was one of those who took part in the broadcast, making a special dedication for her brother.
Sergeant William Moore Allen is commemorated on the St Nicholas' Parish WW2 memorial (Church of England) and also in the Borough of Whitehaven WW2 'Book of Remembrance'.
To read the BBC "People's War" article about the Borough of Whitehaven WW2 Book of Remembrance click on the following link:
BBC "People's War": the Whitehaven WW2 ‘Book of Remembrance’
To read an article about the WW2 memorial at St Nicholas' Church, Whitehaven click on the following link:
The St Nicholas' Parish Church, Whitehaven WW2 Memorial
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CWGC citation
This is the Commonwealth War Graves Commission citation for Sergeant WIlliam Moore Allen, R.A.S.C. (1913 - 1944):
Name: ALLEN, WILLIAM MOORE
Rank: Serjeant
Service No: T/61417
Date of Death: 18/06/1944
Age: 31
Regiment/Service: Royal Army Service Corps
58 Div. Troops Coy.
Grave Reference: XIV. H. 16.
Cemetery: BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY, Calvados (France)
Additional Information:
Son of Andrew and Edith Allen, of Whitehaven, Cumberland.
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Dedication
This article is dedicated to the memory of Sergeant William Moore Allen, R.A.S.C.
"Deep in our hearts, he remains with us yet,
What he gave for us, we will never forget,
He lies in God's own garden, one of the best,
Sleeping peacefully, forever at rest".
"In my father's house there are many mansions"
[John 14:2]
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Acknowledgements
Cumbria County Archives & Local Studies Centre
(Whitehaven Records Office)
The Whitehaven News
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