Ancestry tree- M H Allen
1879 Mar 8. Born in Dartford, Kent
1881 at Farm House, Stone Hill, Wilmington
1891 census at New House Farm, New House Road, Hartley
1901 census at 96, Ladbroke Grove, Kensington
1905 Marries in London to Doreen Allchin
Doreen Allen was a suffragette and was arrested twice on March 12th 1912 and March 19th 1912 for taking part in the demonstrations that involved window smashing. She was imprisoned for four months and was force fed. Doreen was one of the suffragettes imprisoned with Mary Aldham and she signed the handkerchief. During her imprisonment some of the women performed a scene from the Merchant of Venice, Doreen played Narissa. Following her release Doreen continued her political activities. Late in 1913 Emmeline Pankhurst was arrested on the Majestic as she returned from America. A group of suffragettes including Doreen travelled to Plymouth to meet Emmeline only to see her arrested under the Cat and Mouse Act and taken to Exeter Gaol. Emmeline went on hunger strike and was released again. She spent the night following her release at the Great Western Hotel along with a close group of supporters and her nurse. Outside the press and two plain clothes policemen sent from London waited. Doreen informed those waiting that Emmeline would shortly leave and travel to London where Emmeline was to take part in a meeting. Doreen’s full name was Edith Doreen Allen nee Allchin born in 1879. She was the daughter of John James, a builder and Mary Ann Allchin. Doreen married Melville Hodsoll Allen who worked at the Stock Exchange in 1905. They do not appear to have had children. Doreen died in 1963.
1911 census at Kenelworth Farnan Road Streatham SW
1915 May 12 Commissioned.
I cannot find a MIC for him although he did serve in France
The battalion history of the 11th (Lewisham) Royal West Kent Regiment published in 1934 has several mentions of him. He joins the battalion when they are in training at Aldershot in the spring of 1916 before their embarkation for France in early May.
1916 Mar 11. The Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment).The undermentioned temporary Second Lieutenants, from a Reserve Battalion, to be temporary Second Lieutenants, but with seniority from the dates specified against their names: — Melville H. Allen. 12th May, 1915.
1916 May Lt M. H. Hall is listed as one of the Officers of "B" Company who made the journey from Southampton to Le Havre on the S.S. Australind.
1916 Aug 5. His last entry in the battalion history is when he goes on patrol with a fellow officer to locate and eliminate an enemy post in the St Yves sector near Ploeegsteert Wood. He became a casualty as a result. (The war diary states this was the night of the 5th/6th August 1916).
1916 12 to 23 in Queen Alexandra's Military Hospital At Millbank with GSW to shoulder
1917 Aug 31. Labour Corps. The undermentioned temp. Lts. to be actg Capts.: — M. H. Allen.
1917 Nov 3. Labour Corps. Temp Lt to be Temp Capt. M H Allen
1919 Dec 11. Labour Corps. Temp. Capt. M. H. Allen relinquishes his commission on completion of service, and retains the rank of Capt.
1920 Sep 10. Joined ADRIC with service no 538
1920 Dec 3. Posted to K Coy
1921 Mar 19 Posted to F Coy as Section Leader
1921 Apr 7 Posted to Q Coy
1921 Jun 30 to 30 Jul on Leave
1921 on Leave
1921 Aug 12. Re-engaged
1921 Sep 3. Promoted Section Leader
1921 Jan 30. Discharged at demobilisation of ADRIC
1925 Jun Moved to Tyack's Hotel Cambourne
1925 Aug 5. Fined £2 for allowing gambling in the hotel
1930 Apr 1. Bankruptcy Receiving Order Melville Hodsoll Allen, Westbourne, Alexandra Road, Penzance, Cornwall, no occupation, lately residing at and carrying on business at Tyack's Hotel. Camborne, Cornwall, as a licensed victualler . From other newspaper entries, the partner would appear to be Arthur P Westbrook
1932 Mar 7. Died in Penzance, Cornwall aged 52. The death notice in the Cornishman just gives name, date and place. No family are mentioned. Without a death cert, it is not possible to know if the Bankruptcy was connected to his death