Private William George Allen
William George Allen was born on 15 February 1900 at Allen Villa, Cabra Road, Glasnevin, Dublin, the third of five children of law assistant (later auctioneer) James Allen and his wife Mary Elizabeth (née Todd). By the time of the 1911 Census he was living at Cabra Road with his parents and siblings. He later worked as a wholesale drapery apprentice for Copestake, Crampton & Co of 29 Exchequer Street, Dublin.
Allen enlisted in the Corps of Hussars at Dublin on 27 September 1918 (No.72169). Four days later he was posted to the North Irish Horse at Antrim.
At the end of November he fell ill with a skin condition. He was admitted to the Mater Hospital in Belfast on 7 December, remaining there under treatment until discharged, cured, on 16 January 1919. It was believed that the cause was "either from grooming unclean horses, or from sleeping in dirty blankets."
On 14 February 1919 Allen was demobilised and transferred to Class Z, Army Reserve. His military character was recorded as 'good'.
Allen later emigrated to New Zealand where, on 5 September 1925, he married Alpha Muriel Mack in St Peter's Church, Wellington.
At least one of Allen's brothers, Arthur Crawford Allen, also served in the war, in the 8th (Service) Battalion, Black Watch (Royal Highlanders). He was killed in action on the Somme front on 19 October 1916.