Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Richard Charles Allen a boot and shoe traveller, born on the 26th March 1852 in Leicester and his wife Lucile Allen (nee Garthwaite, married on the 4th July 1876 in St. Martin’s Church, Leicester), born on the 5th November 1849 in Dalton, Huddersfield, Yorkshire. Richard Oswald was born on the 16th April 1877 in Leicester and had one sibling, Percy, born on the 8th June 1879 in Leicester, in 1881 the family home was in Beaton Villa, Humberstone Road, Leicester. In April 1891 Richard was a schoolboy and was residing in the family home at 29, Evington Road, Leicester, together with his father, a brewer, his mother and siblings, Percy, a schoolboy and Shirley, a schoolboy, born in the 4th quarter of 1883 in Leicester and baptised on the 6th January 1884 in St. Martin’s Church, Leicester. In March 1901 Richard was absent from the family home at 201, Hinckley Road, Leicester, residing there was his father, a mineral water manufacturer’s manager, his mother and siblings, Percy, a mineral water manufacturer’s secretary and Shirley, a mineral water manufacturer’s clerk, Richard was engaged as an artist and painter, and was residing at 13, Oakley Crescent, Chelsea, Middlesex. In April 1911 Richard engaged as a poster artist and designer and was residing in the family home at Chaveney Cottage, North End Road, Golders Green, Middlesex, together with his wife Stella Stretton Allen (nee Swain, married on the 22nd June 1904 in the Parish Church, Quorn, Leicestershire), born on the 1st April 1879 in Thurnby, Leicestershire, and their daughter Lucile Mary, born on the 24th February 1909 in Marylebone, Middlesex. Richard’s widow moved to 25, Fosse Road Central, Leicester.
Richard enlisted into the Regular Army on the 6th February 1915 in St. Pancras, Middlesex, and was allotted the service number PS/1557. He gave his place of birth as Leicester and age as 37 years 8 months. Marital status as married and his trade or calling as artist and designer.
His medical examination recorded that he was 5 feet 5¾ inches in height, weighed 137½ lbs, had a chest measurement of between 38 and 40 inches, his physical development was described as good.
He gave his next of kin as his wife, Stella Stretton Allen, 25, Fosse Road Central, Leicester.
During his period of military service the following events of note occurred:-
Joined. London. 6/2/15.
Posted. 16th Bn. Middlesex Regt. Pte. 6/2/15.
Missing. In the Field. Pte. 1/7/16.
Death Presumed. 1/7/16.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Richard’s surviving service record amounts to a total of seven pages, of which only five pages relate directly to his military service, and these are in fair condition and offer a reasonably accurate overall description of some of the events that took place during his period of his military service.
The War Diary records: 1 Jul-16 – Battalion in action 7.30am from support trenches.
Casualties.
Officers killed 3. Wounded 10. Missing believed killed 6. Missing 5.
Other ranks killed 19. Wounded 306. Missing believed killed 37. Missing 138.
10.45am. Balance of Battalion took over front line trenches AUCHONVILLERS sector.
The Wyggeston Grammar School for Boys, published a Roll of Honour dated the 31st January 1920 in which he is shown as having attended the school between 1889 and 1892, the magazine records that he was killed in action on the 19th July 1916.