Wilfred Augustus Allen
Private 8/117935
3rd Battalion Devonshire Regiment.
Division 56
Wilfred Augustus Allen was the son of Herbert James and Florence Annie Allen, of 96, Spring Gardens, Reading.
His is a registered war grave with a CWGC war pattern headstone. Grave number 15907. He died on 5th February 1918 of pneumonia, aged 18.
The Reading Standard, February 16th 1918, carried a report:
Wilfred Augustus Allen: Devon Regt. son of PC and Mrs H.J. Allen of 96 Spring Gardens Reading on February 5th from pneumonia, aged 18. Before enlisting he was employed at the tramways Depot, Reading. The funeral took place with military honours at Whitley Hall on Tuesday.
His officer writes: “I realise only too well, what the loss will mean to you, and I know you will feel it hard that a promising boy should be taken away from you in this manner. It is so hard for parents to have to give their boys up to the army and to loose them on this side of the water, but he has died for his country just as much as if he had fallen in battle. Though he had only been with us a month he had come under my notice as being a particularly bright clean mannered and promising boy, and he was a general favourite in the company. He was a goal keeper in the company team, and a genuine sportsman”.
25rd October 1999.