Pte 22599 Henry Allen

• Age: 23
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 20th Btn
• D.O.W Saturday 1st July 1916
• Commemorated at: La Neuville Brit Cem Corbie
  Panel Ref: I.A.16

Henry was born in Hale in 1893, the son of James Allen, a farm labourer born in Halewood, and his wife Sarah, born in Speke.

The 1901 Census finds the family living at High Street, Hale Village. Henry is aged eight and lives with both parents and his six siblings. His father, James, is shown as a 44 year old carter, whilst his mother is aged 40. His siblings, all shown as born at Halebank, are listed as; Thomas aged 19 is an agricultural labourer, Alice aged 13, James aged 11, Edward aged 6, May aged 4 and William aged 2.    

By 1911 the family address is shown simply as Hale near Liverpool. Both parents are present in the household and his father is now shown as a farm labourer. Henry is now 18 and employed as a domestic gardiner. He has five siblings still living at home, they are shown as; Thomas aged 29 and a nurseryman, Alice aged 24, May aged 14,William 12 and Lucy aged 9. His parents declare that they have been married for 30 years and nine of their ten children have survived. 

Henry enlisted in Liverpool on or about 09th November 1914 joining the 20th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 22599.

Formed in November 1914 the 20^th Battalion were originally billeted at Tournament Hall, Knotty Ash before on 29^th January 1915 they moved to the hutted accommodation purposely built at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 20th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. He arrived in France on 7^th November 1915.

Henry died on 01^st July 1916 from wounds almost certainly sustained the same day which was the opening day of the Somme Battle. The 20th Battalion diary gives a description of the days events: 

Zero Hour 7.30am. After 65 minutes intensive bombardment the Battalion advanced to the attack of the German trenches. The Battalion advanced in four lines each of the two leading Companies on a frontage of 2 platoons – No’s 1 & 2 Companies (in that order from the right) leading. No.3 Company int neh 3^rd wave. No.4 Company in the 4^th wave. There being a distance of about 100 yards between each line. The lines advanced through the enemy’s artillery fire as though on parade in quick time. The leading waves went on without a pause to Alt Trench and Casement Trench which were secured at (time not stated) am. The casualties up to this being small. Our barrage lifting Dublin Trench (the 1^st Objective) was captured and consolidation immediately proceeded with. Captain Whiting with the 3^rd wave entrenching about 150 yards in the rear. Captain Robinson was wounded and No.2 Company was commanded during the day by Lt C P Moore. Casualties up to now were killed 2 officers – 1 wounded and 49 other ranks casualties killed and wounded. At 11.50 am orders were received for the assault of the Briqueterie. The Battalion operation orders for this were issued from NW of Germans Wood. Our barrage lifted at 12,30 pm and No. 4 Company under Captain E C Orford assisted by a section of bombers under 2^nd Lt Baker who went up Nord Alley and Chimney Trench to secure his left flank, who had got right forward under cover of the fire of our guns rushed it almost without opposition. On the far side a party of the enemy were found in deep dug-outs. They brough a machine gun into action and some close fighting ensued in which Lt Gooch and Lt Williams were wounded. Opposition was however speedily overcome and the garrison consisting of the H.Q. of a Regt, one Colonel and 4 other officers – 40 rank and file , 2 machine guns together with maps, orders, documents and material fell into our hands. Steps were immediately taken for consolidating the ground won, which however owing to the destruction wrought by our “heavies” was a matter of great difficulty, what had been trenches being almost unrecognisable as such and the earth so pulverised that cover could only be made by aid of sandbags. The garrison was heavily shelled through the afternoon and most of the night and casualties were many. Battalion H.Q. were at the junction of Glatz Alley and Casement Trench north west of Germans Wood and this together with Dublin Trench received considerable attention from enemy guns. Casualties during the day 2 officers killed (2^nd Lts F Barnes and JC Laughlin) and 3 wounded (Captain H H Robinson, Lt S Gooch and 2^nd Lt F J Williams). 75 other ranks killed and wounded.

Henry now rests at La Neuville British Cemetery, Corbie, in Grave I A 16.

In April 1916, No.21 Casualty Clearing Station came to La Neuville and remained there throughout the 1916 Battles of the Somme, until March 1917. La Neuville British Cemetery was opened early in July 1916. Most of the burials date from this period, but a few graves were added during the fighting on the Somme in 1918. Neuville British Cemetery contains 866 Commonwealth burials of the First World War. There are also 27 German war graves. The cemetery was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.

His death was reported in the Runcorn Guardian on 28th July 1916: 

"Private Henry Allen, Hale, a member of the Liverpool "Pals" has died in France from wounds. He was only 23 years of age, and went to France in November. This is the second son Mr and Mrs Allen have given to their country, a yiounger sone, Edward having been killed in action in January."

He earned his three medals  and is commemorated on his parents’ headstone in St Mary’s Churchyard, Hale Village, as is his younger brother, Edward, who was 2 years younger and enlisted in 112^th Brigade Royal Field Artillery. 

Edward died of wounds near Bailleul on 20^th January 1916. Edward also earned his three medals and is buried in Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension in Grave II C 65.

The Widnes Weekly News reported that Edward “was the first to die of about 130 lads who have gone from the village of Hale”.

Henry is commemorated in the Hall of Remembrance in Liverpool Town Hall at Panel 16 Right