ALLEN

Alfred [James] Benedict

Second Lieutenant, 17th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Killed in action 3 March 1916. Aged 20. Son of Alfred and Jane Monica Allen, of Glain Orme, Llandudno. In the 1901 census he was aged 5, born Birmingham, son of Alfred and Jame M Allen, resident 15, Leonard Road, Aston Manor, Aston, Warwickshire. Buried in LE TOURET MILITARY CEMETERY, RICHEBOURG-L'AVOUE, Pas de Calais, France. Plot III. Row D. Grave 26.

The following kindly supplied by Nick Lock:

OBLATE OF THE ORDER OF ST.BENEDICT “PAX”

Alfred James Benedict Joseph Allen was born at Aston Manor (now part of Birmingham) in 1895. He was the eldest son of Alfred Allen and his wife Jane Monica Allen (née Timmins) who had a pub and off-licence. Alfred attended St. John’s Preparatory School at Alton Castle in Staffordshire which was attached to a Roman Catholic convent run by the Sisters of Mercy. The 1911 Census records the family, including eight of Alfred’s siblings, living at Sutton Coldfield, Alfred (senior) being described as a retired house agent. Alfred (junior) is not recorded at that address though a James Allen, 14, born in Aston, is recorded as a visitor at another address at nearby Erdington.

Later, the family moved to Craig-y-Don. Alfred (junior) intended to become a Benedictine monk and studied at Catholic colleges at Mardesous and Bruges in Belgium.

On the outbreak of war, Alfred Allen joined the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. He was promoted to corporal and was commissioned as a temporary second lieutenant in the 17th (Service) Battalion (2nd North Wales) on 7 May 1915. The battalion had formed at Llandudno earlier that year. After training, the battalion left Winchester on 4 December 1915 and landed at Le Havre on the following day.

Alfred Allen was killed in action on 3 March 1916 aged 20 when he was shot by a sniper when he lifted his head above the parapet of the trench near Le Touret that he was occupying. He was buried at Le Touret Military Cemetery.

Later in 1916, Jane Allen gave birth to another son who was named Alfred JBV Allen. Sadly, he died shortly afterwards.

Known memorials:
• Roll of Honour, St. John’s Preparatory School, Alton Castle
• Llandudno Roll of Honour
• Llandudno War Memorial
• Memorial Chapel, Holy Trinity Church, Llandudno

BRASSINGTON

Wilfred

Private DM2/170865, 801st Mechanical Transport Company, Royal Army Service Corps. Died 28th November 1918. Buried in SARIGOL MILITARY CEMETERY, KRISTON, Greece. Plot/Row/Section D. Grave 703.

DAWES

Oswald [Stephen] Bernard

Second Lieutenant, 5th (Territorial) Battalion attached 14th Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment. Killed in action 8th May 1917. Aged 19. Son of Joseph William Dawes MB CM JP and Marie Dawes, of Denbigh House, Longton. No known grave. Commemorated on the ARRAS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Bay 7 and 8.

HAIGH

Henry

No further information currently available.

HOWELL

Charles Joseph

Lieutenant, York and Lancaster Regiment attached Machine Gun Corps (Infantry). Killed in action 25th January 1917. Aged 23. Son of Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Howell, of Abbotsford, Pedmore, Stourbridge. Born at Birmingham. Buried in AMARA WAR CEMETERY, Iraq. Plot XVIII. Row B. Grave 8.

Charles Joseph Howell has a plaque dedicated to his memory in St. Wilfrid's Church, Cotton. Also an Old Cottonian.

NAREY

Vincent Gerald

Second Lieutenant, 11th Battalion attached 8th Battalion, Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment). Died of wounds 15th October 1916. Aged 24. Son of William and Caroline Narey, of Grove House, Horton Lane, Bradford, Yorks. Buried in ST. SEVER CEMETERY, ROUEN, Seine-Maritime, France. Officers graves, Plot B. Row 1. Grave 38.

POWELL

William

No further information currently available.

SHEPHERD

Cuthbert

No further information currently available.

THORLEY

William Bowers

Second Lieutenant, 8th Battalion, Prince of Wales's (North Staffordshire Regiment). Died of wounds 20th April 1918. Aged 19. Son of Primrose Samuel and Hannah Thorley, of Windy Arbour, Cheadle, Staffs. Buried in WIMEREUX COMMUNAL CEMETERY, Pas de Calais, France. Plot IV. Row B. Grave 1.

TINSLEY

Ralph

probably Ralph Tinsley, Corporal 200201, 1st/5th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry. Killed in action 22nd March 1918. Born and enlisted Stockton-on-Tees. No known grave. Commemorated on POZIERES MEMORIAL, Somme, France. Panel 68 to 72.