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Private Robert Henry Allen

View Attestation Images [2]Attestation record: Robert Henry Allen Attestation record: Robert Henry Allen
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PERSONAL INFORMATION

Date of birth: 1886-02-04
Place of birth: Wesleigh Lancashire England
Next of kin: Maurice Allen; Floodgate, Ecclesfield, Yorkshire, England
Marital status: no data
Religion: Church of England
Date of death: 1915-11-17

MILITARY INFORMATION

Regimental number: 76124
Highest Rank: Private (29th Battalion)
Rank detail

Private, 29th Battalion, Infantry (Army).

Degree of service: Europe
Survived war: no

RESEARCH INFORMATION

CVWM ID: No CVWM ID in our database, but try this.
CWGC ID: 2894209
LAC ID: 6205
Attestation record(s): image 1, image 2
Service file: B0107-S038
Uploader's Notes: previous service-72nd Regiment. Son of the late William and Annie Allen, of 33, Allen St., Warrington. Born at Wesleigh, Lancs. CEF Burial Registers - Previously reported missing, believed drowned (ex H. S. Anglia). Death now accepted for official purposes as having occurred on the 17th November, 1915.

After the outbreak of WWI, the Anglia was commandeered for war service by the Admiralty, and refitted as an auxiliary hospital ship - known as H.M.H.S. Anglia - and under the command of Captain Lionel J. Manning.

On November 17th 1915 the Anglia was returning to Dover from Calais, and was loaded with 390 injured officers and soldiers, and their doctors and nurses. In addition there were 56 crew - predominantly Anglesey men - on board. They could not know that the German submarine UC-5 had been laying mines in the English Channel.

At around 12:30 pm, one mile east of Folkestone Gate, H.M.H.S. Anglia struck a mine, and quickly began to sink. The Royal Navy ship H.M.S. Hazard raced to her aid.

It took the Anglia just 15 minutes to sink, and during that time many acts of bravery were witnessed. The total loss of life is not truly known, but estimates vary between 120 and 164 personnel - including 25 of her crew - who were either killed by the explosion, or by drowning.

Uploader's Research notes:

29th Battalion Nominal Roll

Photo of HMHS Anglia sinking

[Private Army Canadian Infantry 29th Battalion ]

ARCHIVAL INFORMATION

Date added: 2008-09-23
Last modified: 2019-08-04