2nd Lieut. Walter Smith Allen, 2/5th Sherwood Foresters (Notts. & Derby Regiment)

Walter Smith Allen

Sherwood Foresters

Walter Smith Allen was commissioned into the 2nd/5th Battalion. of the Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regt.) on 29th November 1917 after transferring from the Durham Light Infantry where his number was 45402. He was killed in action on Thursday 21st March 1918 aged 24.

In 1901 his family lived at ‘Top End’ of Great Glen. It consisted of his father, also Walter, a 37 year old self employed blacksmith, his mother Mary A aged 35, older sister Florence (9), younger brother Leonard (2) and 7 year old Walter.

59th Midland Div.
Cross of Offa

The Battalion, a Territorial Force battalion, was part of the 59th (North Midland) Division and was based in the Noreuil/Bullecourt area in Northern France on 21st March 1918. It suffered four hours of heavy bombardment and then was attacked in force by the Germans. There was a hard fought battle during which the enemy took four hours to penetrate 2000 yards. Eventually the Battalion was surrounded and cut off and all records were lost. Walter Allen was killed during this battle.

Walter is another of the tens of thousands who has no known grave and he is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, Bay 7. In order to find directions to the memorial please click on to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission web site link.

Arras Memorial

Walter was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.