Rushden Soldier's Death Lance-Corpl Raymond Allen Some Fine Tributes

We are sorry to learn that Mr and Mrs C Allen, of 10 Brookfield road, Rushden, have received official news of the death in action on November 27th, in Egypt of their fourth son, 201470, Lance-Corpl Raymond Allen, of the Northants Regt.

Since receipt of official news, Mr and Mrs Allen have received letters confirming the sad news from the deceased soldier's officers and comrades. Capt. Church writes under date December 3rd, 1917:-

"It is my painful duty to write and inform you that your gallant son, Lance-Corpl R Allen, was killed on November 28th, whilst defending a position against a strong Turkish attack. He was sent with his section to reinforce the line at a very critical moment, which he attempted to carry out with his usual cheerfulness and courage, but was killed before getting there. He died instantaneously. He has been with us for over a year, and I shall miss him very much. He was always cheerful under the most trying circumstance. He had been made a lance-corporal, and a better man I never had. Please accept my sincerest sympathy on behalf of myself, my officers and men in your great loss. Your son was buried reverently in a small cemetery in Wilhelma, a German cemetery near Jaffa."

Pte Westley, of Irthlingborough, writes: "We are very sorry to lose him; he was very popular in his company, and greatly respected by all who knew him."

Pte C Fisher writes: "He was the best pal I shall ever get, and well liked by all his company. He was a good soldier and chum, and has died for a good cause."

The late Lance-Corpl Allen, who was 22 years of age, and had been with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force two years, having enlisted in August, 1915. Before enlistment he was employed by Messrs. Selwood & Co., boot manufacturers, Rushden. As a lad he was a member of the Rushden Troop of Boy Scouts.

Rushden Lance-Corp Killed in Palestine