Private James Allen
James Allen was born on 25 June 1887 at Cloghtogle, Lisbellaw, County Fermanagh, the third of four children of baker Andrew Allen and his wife Anne (nee Rutledge). His father died when he was just four years old, and six years later his mother married labourer and army pensioner Robert Nethercott. By 1911 he was living with his mother, two siblings and step-father at Magonragh, Lisbellaw, and working as a farmer.
Allen enlisted in the North Irish Horse at Lisbellaw on 11 November 1909 (No.402). He embarked for France with A Squadron on 17 August 1914, seeing action on the retreat from Mons and advance to the Aisne. The squadron then served as escort and bodyguard to the BEF's commander-in-chief at St Omer from October 1914 until January 1916.
On 19 April 1915 at St Omer Allen was awarded 5 days' Field Punishment No.1 for 'irregular conduct' whilst on guard.
On 2 July that year the Ballymena Observer published a number of letters of thank from North Irish Horsemen to people who had sent gifts of cigarettes to the troops at the front, including the following:
Miss M. Ballentine, Galgorm Road. – Dear Miss, – Just a P.C. from me in return for your kindness in sending the cigarettes. – I remain, yours, James Allen, N.I.H.
Miss Aggie McClean, 22, Mount Street. – Dear Miss, – Just a P.C. to let you know I received your welcome gift, and was very glad of them, as cigarettes are our worst want out here. Thanking you once more, I remain, yours, Trooper James Allen, N.I.H., c/o G.H.Q. Front.
When Allen's term of service ended he chose to leave the army. He left France on 7 November 1915 and three days later was discharged as 'time expired'. His record of service was marked as 'very good'.
This page last updated 22 April 2023.