Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Alfred Frederick Allen a boot manufacturer, born 1871 in Leicester and his wife Florence Allen (nee Halford, married in the 2nd quarter of 1891 in the Leicester district), born 1870 in Leicester. George Frederick was born in the 3rd quarter of 1892 in Leicester, in March 1901 the family home was at 25, Aylestone Street, Leicester. In April 1911 George was employed as a boot trade clerk and was residing in the family home at 1, Dumbleton Avenue, Leicester, together with his father a boot manufacturer, and his mother.
George attested into the Territorial Force to serve 4 years’ service in the United Kingdom on the 25th September 1914 in Leicester. He gave his current home address as 1, Dumbleton Avenue, Leicester, and his age as 22 years and 1 month. He gave his father Alfred F. Allen of 1, Dumbleton Avenue, Narborough Road, Leicester as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5-foot 7¼ inches in height and he had a chest measurement of between 34½ and 37 inches. His physical development was described as good. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 2978 on the 25/9/14. Posted to the 4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 25/9/14. Embodied service commenced on the 25/9/14. Reported missing in action on the 13/10/15. Struck off the strength of the Battalion on the 10/12/15. A summary of his service records: Home Service, 25/9/14 – 1/3/15, 158 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 2/3/15 – 13/10/15, 226 days. Total service 1 year and 19 days. George was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals. The following information was provided by George’s father Alfred Frederick Allen of 3, Severn Street, Leicester on the 20th May 1919, and was witnessed and signed by William S. Leader, Primitive Methodist Minister, Bourne House, Wigston Magna, Leicester on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Father of soldier, Alfred Frederick Allen. Mother of soldier, deceased.
The War Diary records: 12 Oct-15 - At 9.00 am Battalion marched to SAILLY LABOURSE. Dinners and teas were cooked here. Rations for 134 men issued. At 5.15 pm Battalion marched to VERMELLES where stores were taken up. At 11.00 pm Battalion arrived in trenches.
The War Diary records: 13 Oct-15 - At noon our artillery started to bombard. At 1.00 pm our smoke and gas started. At 1.50 pm smoke and gas stopped. At 2.00 pm artillery lifted and Battalion assaulted the HOHENZOLLERN REDOUBT. Lieutenant Colonel R. E. MARTIN was wounded early but remained in the fire trench directing operations for nearly 24 hours and until -?- to the dressing station by Brigadier General KEMP. All officers of the Battalion either killed or wounded.
The War Diary records: 14 Oct-15 - In the evening the Battalion was relieved by part of the 139th Brigade and went back to the LANCASHIRE TRENCH. Roll call revealed that 188 NCO’s and men returned.
The Official History of the War – Military Operations (France and Belgium 1915 Volume II) provided the following statistics for the 1/4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, officers killed 20, other ranks killed 453. Total losses for the day were 138th Brigade 64 officers and 1,476 other ranks. 137th Brigade 68 officers and 1,478 other ranks.
On Wednesday, December 8th, 1915, The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. – Leicestershire and the War. – LOCAL CASUALTIES. – Pte. GEO F. ALLEN. 1-4th Leicester’s, a bomber, the son of Mr. A. F. Allen, Hawthorn, Dumbleton-avenue, Narborough-road, Leicester, has been missing since October 13. He was an Ald. Newton’s School Old Boy.
On Saturday, December 11th, 1915, The Leicester Daily Post published the following article on page eight, under the heading. – LEICESTER’S ROLL OF HONOUR. - (A photograph accompanied the article). – Pte. Geo. F. ALLEN, 4th Leicester’s, missing since Oct. 13th; son of Mr. A. F. Allen, Hawthorn, Dumbleton-avenue, Narborough-road.