Charles William Allen (1891-1957)
Leicestershire collier served with 29th DLI won the DCM during the '100 Days Offensive'
Charles William Allen, the son of William and Mary Allen, was born in Desford, Market Bosworth, Leicestershire early in 1892. He had one brother and after his mother died, he went to live with his uncle and aunt. He joined the 9th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment and was later transferred to the 29th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (DLI). During the ‘100 Days Offensive’ he won the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM). After demobilisation he married Jessie Lines in the summer of 1923 and lived in Market Bosworth until he died in 1957.
His award of the DCM was gazetted on 2 December 1919 and the citation reads:
“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. At Comines on 14th October 1918, after a bridge had been established by the R.E. [Royal Engineers], although subjected to heavy machine-gun and shell fire, he covered the withdrawal of the platoon which had gone across to hold the bridgehead which the R.E. were working. It was entirely due to his efforts that the party were able to get back to safety with only a few casualties. It was not until the safety of his comrades was assured that he left his position and sought a place of safety for himself”.
International Encyclopedia of the First World War, Hundred Days Offensive:
https://encyclopedia.1914-1918-online.net/article/hundred_days_offensive
Birth date: 26-Dec-1891
Death date: 1957
Armed force/civilian: Army
Residence: Desford, Market Bosworth, Leicestershire (England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915)
Desford, Market Bosworth, Leicestershire (1901 England Census)
Desford, Market Bosworth, Leicestershire (1911 England Census)
Newbold Road, Market Bosworth, Leics. (1939 Register)
Desford, Market Bosworth Leicestershire (England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916-2007)
Education: Desford Board School (1895-1905)
Employment: Collier (1911 England Census)
Colliery packer, underground (1939 Register)
Family: Father: William Allen
Mother: Mary Allen (nee Stevens)
Brother: Thomas Allen
Wife: Jessie Allen (nee Lines)
Military service:
9th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment
Regimental no.: 15124
Private
29th Battalion Durham Light Infantry
Regimental no.: 104287
Private
Medal(s): Distinguished Conduct Medal
British War Medal
Victory Medal
Gender: Male
Contributed by John Edwards
