Commemorated: | |||
| 1. Memorial: | Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Flanders | Panel 5. | |
| 2. Book: | The (1921) Masonic Roll of Honour 1914-1918 | Pg.115 | |
| 3. Memorial: | The (1940) Scroll - WW1 Roll of Honour | 17C GQS | |
Awards & Titles: | |||
Early Life :
Born late 1886, son of Thomas and Ellen Allen, of Belle Vue, Maughold, Ramsey, Isle of Man.Service Life:
Campaigns:
- The First World War 1914-1918, World-wide.
| Unit / Ship / Est.: 9th (Queen's Royal) Lancers |
| Action : The Battles of Ypres 1915 (Second Ypres) |
22 April - 25 May 1915. On the 22nd April 1915 the Germans used poison gas at Ypres. This was the first 'official' use of gas and took the Allies by surprise. After initial success capitalising on the confusion and horror of this weapon, a heroic stand, initially by the Canadians and then supported by British and Indian Battalions, held the German advance. However it became clear that the Germans had achieved a tactical advantage and eventually the British were forced to retire to more a more defendable perimeter closer to Ypres. These positions were on the last ridges before Ypres and their loss would have resulted in the loss of the town and possibly open the Channel coast to German occupation with disastrous consequences for the re-supply of the BEF.
The report of his death appears in two newspapers of the island. First in the Isle of Man Examiner, 31st July, 1915. "MANX SOLDIER-LAWYER BELIEVED TO BE KILLED. - It is exceedingly sad to state that Private R. Elliot Allen. 9th Lancers, who has been reported in these columns as missing, is now believed to have been killed. An official communication has been received from the Cavalry Record Office. Canterbury, to the effect that Private Allen is reported missing, and is believed to have been killed in an engagement in France on Whit Monday (24th May). Private R. Elliott Allen was the elder son of Mr Thomas Allen. J.P.. C.P.. of Belle Vue. Maughold. He served his articles as a. law student with Mr F. M. LaMothe. Ramsey, and Mr W. Lay, Athol-street, Douglas. On being called to the Manx Bar in 1911, he continued to practise along with Mr Lay in Douglas. He enlisted shortly after the outbreak of hostilities, and after undergoing his course of training proceeded to the front early in May. Private Allen was one of the most popular and promising members of the Bar; his genial and courteous manner secured for him the esteem and confidence of a large circle of friends, and he was held in high regard among his Athol-street conferes. Much sympathy will be felt throughout the Island for the bereaved family in their great sorrow. It may not be generally known that some months ago Private Allen was offered a commission. He. however, elected to continue serving in the ranks, feeling that as he had enlisted with the object of serving his King and country as a private soldier, it was his duty to continue in that capacity."
And then also in the Isle of Man Times of the same date: "The Late Private Elliot Allen. — On Sunday morning, the Rev. J. G. Pope, Vicar of Maughold, in the course of a sermon based on the words, "These are they that have out of great tribulation" made special reference to the death of Private Elliot Allen, of 9th Lancers, who, it is concluded, was killed in action on May 24th. Mr Pope made appreciative allusion to the services of Mr Allen on behalf of the Church, and said he had been a member of the church choir since boyhood, and a very active worker in connection with parochial affairs generally. He expressed sympathy with Mr and Mrs Allen and family in their bereavement."
He is remembered on a marble plaque at the Church of St. Maughold, Isle of Man which incorporates the badge of the 9th Lancers and which states: "In Living Memory of ROBERT ELLIOT ALLEN, Advocate, Elder Son of Thomas Allen, C.P., J.P. of Belle View in this Parish, who enlisted in the 9th (Queen's Royal) Lancers, September 2nd, 1914, and was killed in action in Flanders May 24th, 1915, aged 28 years." He is also remembered on a war memorial, unveiled in May 1922 in Douglas Court House by the Lieutenant Governor.
Masonic :
| Type | Lodge Name and No. | Province/District : |
|---|---|---|
| Mother : | St Maughold No. 1075 E.C. | Isle of Man |
Initiated | Passed | Raised |
19th November 1912 | 12th December 1912 | 18th February 1913 |
In the records of his Mother Lodge at the United Grand Lodge of England, it is shown that Robert is an Advocate and initiated aged 26 into Maughold Lodge, at Ramsey, Isle of Man. An annotation shows that he was "Killed at Ypres 24th May 1915
Source :
The project globally acknowledges the following as sources of information for research across the whole database:
- The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- The (UK) National Archives
- Ancestry.co.uk - Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History online
- ugle.org.uk - The records of the United Grand Lodge of England including the Library and Museum of Freemasonry
Additional Source:
- Founder Researchers : Paul Masters & Mike McCarthy
- Researcher : Bruce Littley