Gunner William John Allen was killed in action, aged 29, serving with the Royal Field Artillery. He was baptised at St Alphege Church, Solihull on 27th February 1887, and was the eldest of the eight children (five daughters, three sons) of parents William (a house painter) and his wife, Emma.
In 1891, the family was living in Drury Lane, Solihull but they had moved to Elmdon Heath by 1901, when 14-year-old William John Allen was listed as an errand boy. By 1911, he had joined the Army and was serving in India with the Royal Garrison Artillery.
It seems likely that he was still serving with the Army when war broke out as he was posted overseas on 20th August 1914. He was killed in action on 25th September and has no known grave. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, as well as local commemoration on Solilhull war memorial.
If you have any further information, please let us know.
Tracey
Heritage & Local Studies Librarian
tel.: 0121 704 6977
email: heritage@solihull.gov.uk
Solihull Life 
Leave a Reply