Sgt 28125 Thomas Edward Allen (MM)

• Age: 35
• From: Radcliffe, Lancs
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• K.I.A Wednesday 8th May 1918
• Commemorated at: Tyne Cot Memorial
  Panel Ref: Panel 31-34

Thomas Edward was born in April 1883 in Radcliffe, Bury, the son of Robert and Sarah Jane(nee Jones) who married in 1881 in Bury.

The 1891 Census shows that the family were living at Mathirs Square, Pilkington, Bury. Thomas is 7 years of age and lives with his parents and three siblings. His father is recorded as a 35 year old cotton dyer born in Radcliffe in 1856, whilst his mother is 32 and was born in Lancashire in 1859. His siblings, all recorded as having been born in Lancashire are shown as; Robert aged 6, Jane Ann aged 3 and new born Henrietta.  

The 1901 Census shows 17 year old Thomas living with his parents and four siblings at 167 Stand Lane, Radcliffe, Bury. Thomas is recorded as a horse driver working below ground at a colliery. Both parents are present in the household, his four siblings are recorded as having been born in Radcliffe, Bury: Robert 16, Jane Ann 13 and Henrietta 10, have been joined by Mary L aged 5. 

The 1911 Census finds the family living at 10 Albert Street, Radcliffe. Robert is visiting and is described as "married", he is now 27 years of age and a Blower at a Colliery. Both parents are present and advise that they have been married for 30 years and have had 6 children all of whom have survived. There are two siblings living at home Etta (Henrietta aged 21) and Mary Libby aged 16.   

Records show that Thomas married Mary Ann Porter in 1913 and they had a son, Wilfred born in the March quarter of 1914. 

His father Robert diedaged 58 in September 1914.

Thomas enlisted in Bury into the Manchester Regiment as Private 2934. He embarked with the 3rd Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 28125 to join the BEF on 6th July 1916 his next of kin is shown as his mother, Mrs Allen 108 Sim St(sic), Radcliffe (should be Sion St). He later transferred to the 18th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment with the service number 28125.

His bravery was recognised when he was awarded the Military Medal, this listed in the 18th Battalion War Diary on 01st Nov. 1917 for 'gallantry in action on 10th October 1917'.  

The War Diary for the 10th Oct has a paragraph relating the men fending off an attempt by the enemy to capture them. They fired back as they retreated to their own post. 

His Military Medal was Gazetted on 17th Dec 1917.

28125 Cpl. T. Allen, L'pool R. (Radcliffe)

Thomas had been promoted to the rank of Serjeant before he was killed in action on the 08th May 1918 during the German Spring offensive. His body was not recovered from the battlefield and as such Thomas' name is recorded on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium.

Those United Kingdom and New Zealand servicemen who died after August 16th 1917 are named on the Tyne Cot Memorial, a site which marks the furthest point reached by Commonwealth forces in Belgium until nearly the end of the war.

The Tyne Cot Memorial now bears the names of almost 35,000 officers and men whose graves are not known. The memorial, designed by Sir Herbert Baker with sculpture by Joseph Armitage and F.V. Blundstone, was unveiled by Sir Gilbert Dyett on 20 June 1927.

The memorial forms the north-eastern boundary of Tyne Cot Cemetery, which was established around a captured German blockhouse or pill-box used as an advanced dressing station.

On the 08th May 1918, when he was killed, the Battalion was subjected to an intense artillery barrage followed, at 07:30, by an infantry attack which ran over their lines to a depth of some 400-500 yards in places. It is further recorded that two companies made a successful counter attack.

His death was recorded in the Manchester Evening News on 13th June 1918

Sergt. THOMAS E. ALLEN, M.M., King's Liverpool Regiment, 58 King St, killed, was a carter.

His MIC states he had been in France from December 1914 which highlights prior service in the Manchester Regiment.

Soldiers Effects to widow Mary Ann, Pension to Mary Ann and child Wilfred.

His mother Sarah died aged 58 in June 1918.

We currently have no further information on Thomas Edward Allen, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.

Thanks go to Christine North for allowing her research to be used on this site.