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Life Story
Alfred was born on 29th November 1895 in Thorpe Satchville, Leicestershire
and was the son of Mrs W Fowler of Great Casterton, Rutland. His mother
re-married a William Fowler, who was a farm yardman from Ryhall, Rutland.
Alfred Parkinson Allen was born on the 29th November 1895 in Thorpe
Satchville and the he had a number of step siblings - James Henry Fowler,
born 1892 and Alice Rhoda Fowler, born 1894, the latter two step siblings
were both born in Empingham, Rutland. Also living with the family was the
widowed maternal grandmother, Eliza Allen, born 1839 in Branston, Lincs.
In March 1901 the family were living together at Shacklewell Cottages,
Empingham, Rutland.
Prior to enlistment in January 1916 he had been employed as a wheelwright.
He had also been a well known in the local Wesleyan Church. He enlisted
in Stamford, Lincs in January 1916 and after training in Chatham, Kent he
embarked for France on the 2nd October 1916, and took part in engagements
on the Somme, at Arras and elsewhere before he met his death at Monchy,
when he was hit by a shell while lying in a trench waiting to go into the line.
He was buried by his fellow Sappers in a Military Cemetery at Feuchy. The
Major of his company wrote of Alfred:- “He was an excellent soldier, and I
had particularly noticed his intelligence and keenness. Such men are more
than ever wanted. He was doing his duty nobly.”