William Barnsley Allen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Barnsley Allen
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William Barnsley Allen as portrayed on a Gallaher cigarette card
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| Born | 2 June 1892 Sheffield, West Riding of Yorkshire, England |
| Died | 27 August 1933 (aged 41) Bracklesham, Sussex, England |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
British Army |
| Years of service | 1914–1923 |
| Rank | Major |
| Unit | Royal Army Medical Corps |
| Battles/wars | First World War
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| Awards | Victoria Cross Distinguished Service Order Military Cross & Bar Mentioned in Despatches |
William Barnsley Allen VC, DSO, MC & Bar (8 June 1892 – 27 August 1933) was a British Army medical officer who was decorated for gallantry four times during the First World War, including an award of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Contents
Early life
Allen attended St Cuthbert's College, now Worksop College, then studied medicine at Sheffield University in the West Riding of Yorkshire. He graduated MB and ChB in 1914 and joined the Royal Army Medical Corps a few days after the United Kingdom declared war on Germany. He was commissioned as a lieutenant, and attached to the 3rd West Riding Field Ambulance.
First World War
He also received a mention in despatches at the end of the war.
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Legacy
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Army Medical Services Museum in Mytchett, Surrey.
Allen was a member of Sheffield University Officers Training Corps while he was studying medicine. Just off the main mess in the Somme Barracks, home of Sheffield UOTC, there is an ante-room named the "Allen VC Room" which proudly displays on the wall a framed photograph of William, along with the citation as well as a copy of his VC and several of his other medals.
On 3 September 2016, 100 years after he received the Victoria Cross, a commemorative plaque was unveiled in his memory at the Sheffield War Memorial in Barkers' Pool.
Sources
- Willian Barnsley Allen Biography
- ALLEN, Major William Barnsley, Who Was Who, A & C Black, 1920–2008; online edn, Oxford University Press, Dec 2007, retrieved 19 November 2012
