ALLEN, Horace

Horace Allen was the son of David and Matilda Allen of 52 Crabbe Street, Wollescote, and attended Wollescote school. He enlisted in the Worcesters and was sent to the 3rd Battalion. In 1917 they were in action at Westhoek in the Third Battle of Ypres and in early 1918 they were in reserve near St. Quentin. The first German Spring Offensive overwhelmed the front line on the 21st March and the enemy drove the Worcesters back in a general retreat. They were transferred to the Ypres sector only to face the second German offensive on the Lys. From the 9th April they again retreated, fought hard at Neuve Eglise but were forced back to the Ravelsberg ridge. At last the German attack was halted in a 'backs to the wall' last effort. Casualties were very high and included Private Horace Allen who was killed in action on the 18th April. He was 20 years of age and is commemorated on the Ploegsteert, Lye and Wollescote, Lye church and Wollescote school Memorials.