Allen, Robert
Rifleman
No. 17135, ‘B’ Company, 13th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles
Died of wounds on Saturday 1 June 1918 (aged 24)
Buried:
Vevey (St Martin’s) Cemetery, Switzerland (Grave 65)
Commemorated:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
BIOGRAPHY
In the Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914 – 1919 database it is recorded that Rifleman Robert Allen (No. 17135) was born in Belfast, enlisted in Comber and served with the 13th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles in 108th Brigade of the 36th (Ulster) Division. It is also recorded there, incorrectly, that he died of wounds on 1 June 1916.
Rifleman Robert Allen (No. 17135) was wounded in action and taken prisoner, probably during the German Spring Offensive that began on 21 March 1918.
Deemed to be unfit for further active service, he was being repatriated through Switzerland when he died of his wounds.
Rifleman Robert Allen (No. 17135) made his will on 27 November 1915 and in it he left all of his property and effects to his sister, Margaret Allen, who at that time was living at 75 Edenderry, Shaw’s Bridge, Co Down.
Margaret (Maggie) Allen and William Wise were married on 13 August 1919 in Drumbo Presbyterian Church. Maggie Allen from Edenderry was a daughter of Thomas Allen, a labourer. William Wise from Belfast was a Military Corporal and he was a son of Henry Wise, a labourer.
Robert Beeston Allen was born on 19 February 1894 in Edenderry, Lisburn and he was a son of Thomas and Agnes Allen (nee Waterworth) who were married on 21 August 1881 in Malone Presbyterian Church Belfast. Thomas Allen from Milltown was a son of Alexander Allen, a labourer. Agnes Waterworth from Edenderry was a daughter of Robert Waterworth, a labourer.
Thomas Allen worked as a labourer and groom and he and Agnes had at least seven children:
Esther Kelly (born 1 December 1881 in Ballynavally, Lisburn)
Ellen (born 16 January 1883 in Stranmillis, Belfast)
Mary Anne (born 18 June 1884 in Stranmillis Road, Belfast)
Alexander (born 13 February 1888 in Edenderry, Lisburn)
Margaret (born 10 April 1890 in Edenderry, Lisburn)
Robert (born 28 May 1892 in Edenderry, Lisburn; died of convulsions caused by a cerebral abscess on 30 December 1892)
Robert Beeston (born 19 February 1894 in Edenderry, Lisburn)
Robert was 10 when his mother, Agnes Allen, died of tuberculosis on 6 March 1904 (aged 51) in Edenderry. Her husband Thomas was with her when she died.
Robert was 11 when his father, Thomas Allen, died of tuberculosis on 24 December 1905 (aged 50) in Edenderry. His daughter Mary Anne was with him when he died.
Rifleman Robert Allen (No. 17135) was 24 when he died on 1 June 1918, and he was buried in Vevey (St Martin’s) Cemetery, Switzerland.