Gunner Harry Allen, 152389, Royal Field Artillery.

Wombwell War Memorrial.

Service Details:
Gunner Harry Allen, 152389, Royal Field Artillery, Z11th Trench Mortar Bty. Died 14th July 1917. Age 18/19

Bio:
Harry was born in 1898, the youngest son of Sarah Ann Allen (nee Spinks) and George Allen, a coal miner. It seems Harry's father George must have suffered an injury prior to 1911 as he is registered on the census as being disabled. Prior to the out break of WW1 Harry was employed as a colliery pony driver at one of the local coal mines. He lived with his parents and three older brothers at 5 Broomhill on the outskirts of Wombwell. After enlisting in the army, Harry served as a gunner with the the Royal Field Artillery in Belgium. He was killed in action only a few weeks before the Third Battle of Ypres was to begin. It is possibly Harry died when a convey he was traveling with came under fire in the early hours of  14th July 1917. He was buried in Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery, Belgium. This particular graveyard was opened in anticipation of  the allied losses that would no doubt occur in the upcoming offensive planned for July 1917. This action would later become known as the Battle of Passchendaele or the Third battle of Ypres.

Grave:
Vlamertinge New Military Cemetery, Plot I. G. 8., Belgium.

Memorial:
Wombwell war memorial, St. Mary's Church, Park Street, Wombwell Barnsley, S73

Sources_________________
Cwgc.org - Casualty details for H. Allen
1911 Census
Register of soldiers' effects for H. Allen
Soldiers that died in the Great War