Frederick William Albert Allen

Rank: Private

Service Number: 42024

Date of Birth: 1899

Regiment:  1st Bn Hertfordshire Regiment

Date of Death: 23 August 1918

Age at death: 19

Cemetery / Memorial: Bucquoy Communal Cemetery Extension

Country: France

Grave / Reference: B.19.

Relatives: Son of Frederick James and Emily Allen

Address: 21 New Cut, Hadleigh, Suffolk

Frederick William Alfred Allen was born in Hadleigh in July 1899 his father was a labourer working for the Urban District Council.  In 1911 he was 12 years old and living at home with his parents and siblings at 21 New Cut, Hadleigh.

Frederick went to Bridge Street School. He was conscripted in the middle of 1917 at the age of 18 and eventually assigned to the 1st Hertfordshire Regiment.

The battalion was heavily engaged in confronting the German Spring Offensive and then in August took part in the Battle of Albert. 

On 23 August the war diary reports ‘Battalion attacked at 11am.  Attack successful.  Railway cutting in front Achiet-le-Grand taken.  Casualties - Other Ranks 26 killed and 140 wounded.’ 

Frederick Allen was one of  the casualties who died and was buried close by at Bucquoy Communal Cemetery. He is also remembered on the Hadleigh War Memorial and at just 19 was one of the youngest Hadleigh men to die.

Click on the pictures below to view Frederick's gallery

 We hope that this page has been able to tell Frederick Allen’s story.  If you know of any information which might help to add to the story then please get in touch.