LIVES OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE
The E.J. Boys Archive

1652, Private James ALLEN — 11th Hussars

Birth & early life

Born in the parish of St. Martin's, Liverpool c.1836

Enlistment

Enlisted at Liverpool on the 13th of April 1854.

Age: 18.

Height: 5' 6".

Trade: Labourer.

Appearance: Fresh complexion. Hazel eyes. Brown hair.

Service

Joined the regiment in the Crimea on the 25th of March 1855.

Transferred to the 2nd Dragoon Guards at Hounslow on the 25th of April 1857. Regimental No. 318.

To India aboard the "Forerunner".

Served at Korsee during the Mutiny.

Tried and imprisoned, 26th of April — 2nd of November 1858.

Transferred to the 21st Hussars on the 1st of December 1861. Regimental No. 460.

Re-engaged in India for 12 years' further service on the 14th of August 1866.

Appointed to Farrier on the 1st of March 1867.

Discharge & pension

Discharged from Aldershot on the 24th of September 1874 as:

"Found unfit for further service. Has palpitation and irregular action of the heart — of uncertain origin or cause, the disease no doubt affected by the climate and length of service in India. The disability is likely to be permanent — able in a small way to contribute towards earning a livelihood. Has a burn mark on left shoulder-blade."

In Turkey and the Crimea: 1 year 2 months. East Indies: 15 years 4 months.

Conduct: "good".

In possession of four Good Conduct badges.

Six times entered in the Regimental Defaulter's book. Once tried by Court-martial.

Aged 36 years 5 months on discharge.

Medals

Entitled to the Crimean medal, with clasp for Sebastopol, and the Turkish medal.

Mutiny medal with clasp for Lucknow.

Documents confirm the award of these and also the Turkish Crimean medal.

Commemorations

Life after service

To live in Bottlington Street, Liverpool, after discharge.

RM: Nothing conclusive can be found on him in any of the Census returns 1861 — 1901.

Death & burial

[PB: Is it possible he emigrated to Canada and that this is he? Follow up.]

"SAW THE CHARGE. A Crimean veteran believed to be the last surviving witness of the charge of the Light Brigade, has died at Windsor, Ontario. This old soldier was Mr James Allen, aged 97, who spent his last days in the Essex County Old Folks Home. He was a soldier under the British flag for most of his active life. No relatives are known to survive him — Reuter."

[Source: Edinburgh Evening News, 12th of September 1932.]

(Click on image to enlarge)