ALLEN, William Edward

William Allen was the son of Thomas and Martha Allen of 111 Himley Road, Upper Gornal, Dudley. He enlisted in the Worcesters and served in the 4th Battalion, joining them in the later stages of the conflict. They fought on the Somme in 1916 and in the Third Battle of Ypres in 1917. They were forced toretreat as aresult of the German Spring offensives and were at both Amiens and the Aisne. However, the Worcesters moved to Flanders for the final stage of the conflict and took part in the last battle of Ypres in September. They advanced along the Menin Road and on the 28th forced the enemy to retreat. There were casualties and Private William Allen was seriously injured. He was sent to a Casualty Clearing Station where he died of wounds on the 30th September. He was 21 years of age and is buried in Haringhe, Badaghem, Military Cemetery (III B 9) and commemorated on the Dudley and St. James' church, Dudley, Memorials.