Pte 57515 Alfred Christopher Allan

• Age: 23
• From: Dundee
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• K.I.A Monday 9th April 1917
• Commemorated at: Bucquoy Rd Cem Ficheux
  Panel Ref: VI.N.25

Alfred Christopher was born in Dundee in 1893. He was the son of David Allan and his wife Agnes Strang (nee Melville) who lived in 5 South George Street, Dundee during the war. They were married in 1884 at Leuchars. Prior to the war Alfred was employed by the Dundee Courier as a clerk within the Commercial Department.

At the time of the 1901 census the family were living at 6 Kinnaird Street, Dundee. Father David aged 42, a mason b.Leuchars, Fife, mother Agnes is 42 b.Leuchars and had just given birth to an as yet unnamed baby boy. The couple have five other children living with them: John aged 14, David M. 12, Alfred C. 7, Agnes 5 and Archibald B. 2. Also a servant Margaret Pennycock 58.

Alfred enlisted in Dundee, serving originally with the Highland Divisional Cyclist Company. Following a transfer he was serving in the 18th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 57515 when he was killed in action on the 09th April, 1917 aged 23 having been at the front for four months.

Arras 09^th April 1917

Details of the circumstances the 18^th Battalion had to contend with are illustrated below:

The battalion formed the left assaulting battalion of the brigade, the 2^nd Wiltshire Regiment being on the right, the 19^th Manchester Regiment being in support and 2^nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment furnishing “moppers -up”  for the two assaulting battalions. The brigade advance was timed to begin at ---- hour after “Zero”, suited to conform with the movements of 56^th Division and other divisions on our left further north (near Arras). This battalion’s objective was the front-line system Lion Lane on the left (exclusive) to Panther Lane on right (exclusive). This sector included the strongpoint known as “The Egg”.

The brigade advanced at prearranged time, i.e., 11.38 a.m, from position of assembly trenches south of Neuville Vitasse to German front line. This necessitated an advance across the open of at least 2,000 yards. This area up to Neuville Vitasse- Henin road was crossed in artillery formation; after this, owing to machine-gun fire and considerable resistance from German posts forward in the sunken roads, it was found necessary to deploy. During the whole movement across the open the advancing columns had been under considerable artillery fire from guns of all calibres. On gaining the position immediately in front of German line it was found that the wire was practically uncut; this wire formed two strong belts in front of German trenches. Two small gaps were eventually discovered and Second-Lieut H.F.Merry gallantly led a bombing party through them, but his three remaining men were killed as they reached the German trenches.

From the moment the battalion was “held up” in front of German wire Capt. R. W. Jones, the senior company commander on the spot, at once began the work of consolidating in front of German wire. The battalion held on in this position for the remainder of the day, until relieved by the 16^th Manchester Regiment about 3 a.m. on the 10^th of April, all the time under intense machine-gun and rifle fire.

Between 9th-10th April, 1917, the 18th King's lost 2 officers 2nd Lt. F. Ashcroft and 2nd Lt. H.G. Ewing and 59 other ranks killed. 8 other officers were wounded. 

His grieving parents took out a notice in the Dundee Telegraph on the 20th April 1917:

ALLAN – killed in action on the 9th April, Pte Alfred Allan aged 23 Kings Liverpool Rgt, fourth son of Mr and Mrs David Allan, 5 South George Street, Dundee – deeply mourned.

And from the Dundee Courier on the 21st April 1917 :

“COURIER” EMPLOYEE KILLED.

Mr David Allan, South George Street, Dundee, has received official intimation that his son, Private Alfred C. Allan, has been killed in action. Private Allan enlisted in the Cyclists Battalion in November 1915, but was afterwards transferred to the King’s Liverpools. He was 23 years of age, and had been at the front for four months. His officer in a letter to Mrs Allan, said he was an excellent soldier in every way, and a great favourite with the remainder of the men in the company. Previous to enlisting he was employed in the commercial department of the “Dundee Courier”. 

Alfred now rests at Bucquoy Road, Cemetery, Fichieux. where his headstone bears the epitaph:

"UNTIL THE DAY DAWN AND THE SHADOWS FLEE AWAY"

In November 1916, the village of Ficheux was behind the German front line, but by April 1917, the German withdrawal had taken the line considerably east of the village and in April and May, the VII Corps Main Dressing Station was posted near for the Battles of Arras. It was followed by the 20th and 43rd Casualty Clearing Stations, which remained at Boisleux-au-Mont until March 1918, and continued to use the Bucquoy Road Cemetery begun by the field ambulances. From early April to early August 1918 the cemetery was not used but in September and October, the 22nd, 30th and 33rd Casualty Clearing Stations came to Boisleux-au-Mont and extended it. By the date of the Armistice, it contained 1,166 burials but was greatly increased when graves were brought in from the surrounding battlefields and from small cemeteries in the neighbourhood. 

The cemetery now contains 1,901 burials and commemorations of the First World War. 168 of the burials are unidentified but there are special memorials to 23 casualties known or believed to be buried among them. Other special memorials commemorate 21 casualties buried by their comrades in Henin-sur-Cojeul German Cemetery, whose graves could not be found on concentration.

The cemetery was used again in May 1940 for the burial of troops killed during the German advance. There are 136 burials and commemorations of the Second World War; 26 of the burials are unidentified and special memorials commemorate 39 soldiers whose graves in the cemetery could not be specifically located.

Soldiers Effects to mother Agnes S., Pension to Agnes and father David.

Mother died in 1924 aged 66 and the father died on the 8th July 1927 aged 69.

Dundee Courier 11th July 1927

ALLAN - At the Dundee Royal infirmary on the 8th inst., David Allan, retired mason, of 5 South George Street. Funeral on Tuesday at 1 o'clock, friends wishing to attend please meet the cortege at Eastern Cemetery.

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