Arthur John Allmand: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|English chemist}} |
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{{One source|date=March 2021}} |
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[[File:Arthur John Allmand.jpg|thumb|right|Allmand in 1930]] |
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{{Infobox Scientist |
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Allmand was born in 1885 at [[Wrexham]], England, however he always said he was Welsh. His father was a flour miller called Frank Allmand. He studied at the [[University of Liverpool]] starting in 1902, and attained honours in 1905. In 1906 he undertook an MSc, and in 1910 a [[Doctor of Science]]. He then went to Karlsruhe and Dresden Germany from 1910 to 1912. |
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| name = Arthur John Allmand |
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| image = Arthur John Allmand.jpg |
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| birth_date = 7 January 1885 |
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| birth_place = [[Wrexham]], England |
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| death_date = 4 August 1951 |
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| death_place = [[London]], England |
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| nationality = [[British]] |
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| fields = [[Photochemistry]] <br/> [[Electrochemistry]] |
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| workplaces = [[University of Liverpool]] <br/> [[Kings College London]] |
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| alma_mater = [[University of Liverpool]] |
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| awards = [[1851 Research Fellowship]] <br/>[[Fellow of the Royal Society|Royal Society]]<br/> [[Fellow of the Royal Institute of Chemistry| Royal Institute of Chemistry]] |
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| spouse = Mile Marguerite Marie S. Malicorne |
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| children = 3, including [[Christopher Allmand]] and [[Michael Allmand|Michael Allmand VC]] |
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}} |
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{{Infobox Military Person |
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| honorific_suffix = MC |
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| allegiance = {{Flag|United Kingdom}} |
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| branch = {{Army|United Kingdom}} |
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| serviceyears = 1915-1919 |
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| rank = [[Major]] |
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| unit = [[Cheshire Regiment|5th Battalion Cheshire Regiment]] |
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| battles = [[World War I]] <br/> [[Battle of the Somme]] |
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| awards = [[Military Cross]] |
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}} |
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⚫ | [[Major (British Army)|Major]] '''Arthur John Allmand''' [[Order of St. Gregory the Great|KSG]] [[Military Cross|MC]] [[Royal Society|FRS]] [[Royal Institute of Chemistry|FRIC]] (7 January 1885 – 4 August 1951) was an English chemist, professor of [[King's College London]] and Knight of the Roman Catholic [[Order of St. Gregory the Great]]. |
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From 1913 to 1919 he was an assistant lecturer at University of Liverpool. He was in Germany at the start of World War I in 1914, and had to escape the country via Poland, Russia and Sweden. During the war he had the job as Assistant Chemical Advisor, where he had to overcome chemical warfare. A [[Military Cross]] was awarded to him in 1916. |
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== Early Life == |
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[[File:Park Lodge - geograph.org.uk - 658322.jpg|thumb|Park Lodge, Childhood home of Frank Allmand]] |
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1885 in [[Wrexham]], England to Frank (1858-1948<ref>{{Cite web |title=Civil Registration Death |url=https://search.ancestry.co.uk/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&dbid=7579&h=31900473&tid=&pid=&queryId=9147f56ac95de5fcf2bdc16eaf00b4b0&usePUB=true&_phsrc=ack9&_phstart=successSource}}</ref>) and Mary Allmand, [[née]] Thomas<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last=Freeth |first=F. A. |date=1954 |title=Arthur John Allmand. 1885-1951 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/769194 |journal=Obituary Notices of Fellows of the Royal Society |volume=9 |issue=1 |pages=3–13 |issn=1479-571X}}</ref> (1861-1918<ref>{{Cite web |title=Civil registry death index |url=https://www.ancestry.co.uk/imageviewer/collections/7579/images/ons_d19184az-0023?treeid=&personid=&hintid=&queryId=4b74532f79e6b8118f0e69eff7b9499a&usePUB=true&_phsrc=ack25&_phstart=successSource&usePUBJs=true&pId=20734335 |url-status=}}</ref>) Frank Allmand, was the son of John and Elizabeth Allmand of Park Lodge, Rhosddu Road. The Allmands came from the [[Malpas, Cheshire|Malpas]] area of [[Cheshire]]. Frank Allmand was a [[Miller|flour miller]] of Wrexham who originally owned a [[Watermill|water mill]], and later a [[steam mill]]. Frank Allmand's mill was later burnt down and this combined with the decline of smaller mills in the late [[19th century|19th Century]] meant he subsequently became a corn and flour dealer.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |date=1954-11 |title=Arthur John Allmand, 1885-1951 |url=https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsbm.1954.0001 |journal=Obituary Notices of Fellows of the Royal Society |language=en |volume=9 |issue=1 |pages=2–13 |doi=10.1098/rsbm.1954.0001 |issn=1479-571X}}</ref> To supliment his income Frank Allmand bred large white pigs gaining championships at the ‘Bath and West’ and other prizes.The family were not well off, but at the [[1891 United Kingdom census|1891 census]] had two servants.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1891 Census |url=https://www.ancestry.co.uk/discoveryui-content/view/347359:6897?_phcmd=u(%27https://www.ancestry.co.uk/search/categories/35/?name=arthur_Allmand&event=_wrexham-wales-united+kingdom_1651450&location=3257.3250&successSource=Search&queryId=03ab1eca0facf0f953f436eaa147cc59%27,%27successSource%27)}}</ref><ref name=":1" /> Mary Allmand's father was a Timber Merchant.<ref name=":0" /> Allmand spent his early years at 23 Chester Street, Wrexham later the District Registry office.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1901 |title=1901 Wales Census |url=https://www.ancestry.co.uk/discoveryui-content/view/33087706:7815?tid=&pid=&queryId=0f5c495b0133edff3ee540445f3aab91&_phsrc=ack44&_phstart=successSource}}</ref> |
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Allmand's education first began in a [[Dame school|Dame School]] in Wrexham until 1894 before proceeding to London to live with his Aunt in order to attend [[Alleyn's School|Alleyn's School, Dulwich]] on a Scholarship that waived his fees. On account of his aunt leaving London, he returned to Wrexam in 1898 where he attended Grove Park School.<ref name=":2">{{cite journal |date=30 November 1954 |title=Arthur John Allmand, 1885–1951 |journal=Obituary Notices of Fellows of the Royal Society |volume=9 |issue=1 |pages=2–13 |doi=10.1098/rsbm.1954.0001 |s2cid=162406316 |doi-access=free}}</ref> |
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Allmand had decided to become a Chemist after being shown an article in [[The Scotsman]] by Professor Tapp of the [[University of Aberdeen]]. Despite the disapproval from his headmaster at Grove Park School for not pursuing a university education at [[University of Oxford|Oxford]] Allmand passed the [[matriculation]] exam in 1901 in [[London]], being placed 9th in honours. From there in 1902 Allmand attended[[Victoria University (United Kingdom)|University College Liverpool, Victoria University]] later [[University of Liverpool]] studying chemistry at first under [[James Campbell Brown]] with three Scholarships, the Gilchrist, the Tate Scholarship in technical science and one from the [[Denbighshire]] Education Committee. At Liverpool Allmand was a close contemporary of [[Francis Arthur Freeth]] and [[Warrington Yorke]], with the trio always sitting side by side. |
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He studied [[electrochemistry]] and [[photochemistry]]. |
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[[File:5130298 bac196cb original.jpg|thumb|Allmands childhood home 23 Chester Street, later the Registry office. ]] |
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Outside of Chemistry Allmand came under the influence of [[Bernard Pares]], from whom he learnt [[Russian language|Russian]], the [[Celtic]] Scholar [[Kuno Meyer|Kuno Myer]], from whom he learnt some [[Celtic philology|Celtic Philology]] and the linguist [[John Sampson (linguist)|John Sampson]]. The Literary Scholar [[Oliver Elton]] was so impressed by his literary ability that he unsuccessfully asked him to join his staff. |
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Allmand graduated with a [[first-class honours]] degree in Chemistry in 1905. |
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He married Mile Marguerite Marie S. Malicorne in 1920 and had three children, Marguerite, [[Michael Allmand|Michael]], and [[Christopher Allmand|Christopher]]. A Victoria Cross was awarded posthumously to Michael, and was presented to his family by [[King George VI]] at Buckingham Palace on 17 July 1945. |
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== Early Career == |
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A. J. Allmand died in 1951 after a botched operation. |
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Allmands early career was spent at the University of Liverpool as a researcher under of [[Frederick G. Donnan|Frederick Donnan]] where he assisted with design and equipment of the Muspratt Laboratory of Physical Chemistry. It was here Allmand developed a real interest in [[electrochemistry]]. Allmand then undertook an [[M.Sc]] degree in 1906, and a [[Doctor of Science|D.Sc]] in 1910. |
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It was in 1910 that Allmand was awarded an [[1851 Research Fellowship]] awarded to "young scientists or engineers of exceptional promise" which took him to the [[University of Karlsruhe]] where Allmand worked under [[Fritz Haber]] between 1910 and 1911 and subsequently to [[TU Dresden|Royal Saxon Polytechnic Institute]], [[Dresden]] under Robert Luther between 1911 and 1912. Between 1912 and 1913 Allmand became Donnan’s research assistant in Liverpool and accompanied him to London when Donnan succeeded [[William Ramsay|Sir William Ramsay]] as the Chair of Chemistry at [[University College London|University College, London]]. |
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In 1913 Allmand returned to the University of Liverpool where Allmand was assistant lecturer and demonstrator, holding this position till 1919. |
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== Military Career == |
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Allmand was in Germany at the start of [[World War I]] in 1914, and had to escape the country via [[Poland]], [[Russian Empire|Russia]] and [[Sweden]]. |
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It was after this that Allmand decided to pursue a commission in the [[British Army]]. |
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{{quotation |In October 1914 Allmand sent a telegram to his university contemporary Frederick Freeth, who was serving in the 5th Battalion the [[Cheshire Regiment|22nd (Cheshire) Regiment,]] T.A: <blockquote>‘Can you assist me to obtain a commission in the Cheshire Regiment’.</blockquote> To which the reply came:<blockquote>‘Yes, if you will shave off your beard’.</blockquote>}} |
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He was commissioned into the Cheshire Regiment in January of 1915 and in the spring of 1915 he joined the 5th Battalion near [[Ypres]]; they subsequently went to the [[Battle of the Somme|Somme]]. After the introduction of [[Chemical weapons in World War I|chemical warfare]] during the war Allmand, as an officer with a chemical background, was seconded from Regimental duty to Gas Services [[Royal Engineers]] as Assistant Chemical Adviser to the [[Third Army (United Kingdom)|Third Army]] on the 30 August 1915<ref>{{Cite journal |date=25 SEPTEMBER, 1915 |title=SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 25 SEPTEMBER, 1915. 9525 |url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/29308/supplement/9525/data.pdf |journal=London Gazette}}</ref>.In 1916 year he was made a Chemical Adviser to the [[Fourth Army (United Kingdom)|Fourth Army]] and in 1918 he was chemical advisor with the [[Second Army (United Kingdom)|Second Army]], was in the [[Occupation of the Rhineland|Army of Occupation]] and in 1919 was demobilised with the rank of Major.<ref name=":2" /> |
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Allmand was awarded a [[Military Cross]] on the 3 June 1916.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Life story: Arthur John Allmand {{!}} Lives of the First World War |url=https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/34338 |access-date=2023-03-14 |website=livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk}}</ref> |
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== Later Career == |
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⚫ | After leaving the University of Liverpool Allmand's next role was as Professor of Chemistry at [[King's College London|King's College, London]] starting in 1919 until 1950, when he retired. During this time he also served as [[Dean of the Faculty|Dean of the faculty]], and was also titled as "[[Professor|Senior Professor]]". |
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It was around this time that Allmand developed a growing interest in photochemistry and by 1924 had several researches in both [[photochemistry]] and electrochemistry. Through photochemistry he pursued [[Kinetic theory of solids|kinetic theory]] and [[Reaction Kinetics|reaction kinetics]] that according to Frederick Freeth in his obituary "''added greatly to the breadth of Allmand’s learning and the interest of his school."''<ref name=":2" /> |
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Allmand was a Vice-President of the [[Chemical Society]] and President of the [[Faraday Society]], between the years of 1947 and 1948. Allmand was an Honorary Fellow of the [[Polish Chemical Society]]. He was elected as a fellow into the [[Royal Society]] in 1929 and was a Fellow of the [[Royal Institute of Chemistry]], a fellow of the Electroplaters Technical Society and for many years was a member of the [[American Chemical Society]] and the [[Deutsche Bunsen-Gesellschaft für Physikalische Chemie|Deutsche Bunsen Gesellschaft]].<ref name=":1" /> |
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== Catholic Faith == |
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A landmark and reported turning point in his life was his conversion to his wife's faith, the [[Catholic Church|Roman Catholic Church]]. Allmand was reported to be naturally a religious man, and held a devotion to the Catholic Church all his life. |
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In his obituary it was written by Francis Arthur Freeth that:<blockquote>Allmand’s main working life was dominated by his intense religious conviction that his duty was to serve his country, his university and his students to the greater glory of God.<ref name=":0" /></blockquote>An indication of his devotion and piousness to the Catholic Church is the fact [[Pope Pius XII|Pope Pius VII]] made him a [[Order of St. Gregory the Great|Knight of the Order of Saint Gregory]] in 1950. |
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== Marriage and Personal life == |
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Allmand married Mile Marguerite Marie S. Malicorne 17th July 1920 in [[Saint-Mandé]] . Malicornes parents were [[Normans]] from the [[Saint-Lô|Saint-Lô district]]; small landowners and professionals. There were three children of the marriage: |
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* Marguerite Allmand (5 August 1921<ref>{{Cite web |title=Census Data |url=https://www.ancestry.co.uk/discoveryui-content/view/10598186:61596}}</ref>- 26 October 2009<ref>{{Cite web |title=MURPHY - Deaths Announcements - Telegraph Announcements |url=https://announcements.telegraph.co.uk/deaths/106394/murphy |access-date=2023-03-15 |website=announcements.telegraph.co.uk}}</ref>) who studied languages at the [[University of London]] and during the [[World War II|Second World War]] served in the [[Auxiliary Territorial Service]] and worked as a code breaker at [[Bletchley Park]]. She married a Civil Servant named John William Murphy in April 1948<ref>{{Cite web |title=Marriage registration |url=https://www.ancestry.co.uk/imageviewer/collections/8753/images/ons_m19482az-0019?treeid=&personid=&hintid=&queryId=fc0d2854c9a7d8a1730713ae8544173b&usePUB=true&_phsrc=RYq17&_phstart=successSource&usePUBJs=true&pId=58415514}}</ref> and had 4 children.<ref name=":3">http://www.hgs.org.uk/suburbnews/sn88/sn-8.pdf</ref> |
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* [[Michael Allmand|Captain Michael Allmand VC]] (22 August 1923 – 24 June 1944<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-03-07 |title=St Edward A Look Around the Church Memorial Window |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307002417/http://www.stedwardgg.com/memorial%20window.htm |access-date=2023-03-15 |website=web.archive.org}}</ref>) who was educated at [[Ampleforth College]] followed by [[Oriel College, Oxford]] where he studied history. Michael was commissioned into the [[Royal Armoured Corps]] in 1943 and joined the [[6th Duke of Connaught's Own Lancers|6th Duke of Connaught’s Own Lancers]], where he volunteered to serve in the [[Chindits|Second Chindits Expedition]] and was posted to the [[6th Queen Elizabeth's Own Gurkha Rifles|3rd Battalion, 6th Gurkha Rifles]], in the 77 Infantry Brigade. He was awarded the [[Victoria Cross]], the highest award for valour for two separate incidents on the 11th June and 23rd June 1944, the latter incident is where he was mortally wounded. Upon announcement of the award the family residence at Hampstead was swarmed with reporters.<ref name=":3" /> The VC was presented to his family by [[King George VI]] at Buckingham Palace on 17 July 1945. <ref>{{Cite web |title=Michael Allmand VC - victoriacross |url=http://www.vconline.org.uk/michael-allmand-vc/4585912844.html |access-date=2023-03-15 |website=www.vconline.org.uk}}</ref> |
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* [[Christopher Allmand]] ( 18 April 1936 – 16 November 2022<ref>{{Cite news |last=Small |first=Graeme |date=2023-01-01 |title=Christopher Allmand obituary |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/education/2023/jan/01/christopher-allmand-obituary |access-date=2023-03-15 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>) who was educated at [[Ampleforth College]] followed by [[Oriel College, Oxford]] where he studied h istory. Christopher Allmand pursued an academic career and in the [[Late Middle Ages]] in [[England in the Middle Ages|England]] and [[France in the Middle Ages|France]]. His particular research and teaching interests lay in the [[Hundred Years' War]]. He spent most of his teaching career at the [[University of Liverpool]], becoming Professor of Medieval History, until his retirement in 1998.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Obituary: Professor Christopher Allmand - Articles - Department of History - University of Liverpool |url=https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/history/news/articles/obituary-professor-christopher-allmand/ |access-date=2023-03-15 |website=www.liverpool.ac.uk}}</ref> |
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[[File:5 North Square, Hampstead Garden Suburb.JPG|thumb|221x221px|The Allmands family home No 5 North Square, Hampstead Garden Suburb]] |
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Allmand had some knowledge of the Welsh language, but was not fluent. The Allmand household was a bilingual one, where both [[French language|French]] and [[English language|English]] were spoken on account of Allmand's French wife. Allmand was said to be often dressed in a blue suit, flannel shirt and [[Regiment|regimental]] tie and was said to be committed to his duty with an enthusiasm for army life and training. |
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The Allmand family home was No 5 North Square, [[Hampstead Garden Suburb]].<ref name=":3" /> |
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== Death == |
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Major Arthur John Allmand died on the 4 August 1951 after a botched operation. Allmand's funeral was held at St Edward the Confessor Church, [[Golders Green]]. |
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In [[Ernest Barker|Sir Ernest Barker's]] biography ''Age and Youth: Memories of Three Universities and Father of the Man,'' Baker writes of King’s College, London, and says: <blockquote>‘in chemistry there was that rare spirit, saint as well as chemist whose memory is a benediction, A. J. Allmand’.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Baker |first=Sir Ernest |title=Age and Youth: Memories of Three Universities and Father of the Man |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=1953}}</ref></blockquote> |
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== References == |
== References == |
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{{Reflist}} |
{{Reflist}} |
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== External links == |
== External links == |
Revision as of 02:32, 15 March 2023
Arthur John Allmand | |
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![]() | |
Born | 7 January 1885 Wrexham, England |
Died | 4 August 1951 London, England |
Nationality | British |
Alma mater | University of Liverpool |
Spouse | Mile Marguerite Marie S. Malicorne |
Children | 3, including Christopher Allmand and Michael Allmand VC |
Awards | 1851 Research Fellowship Royal Society Royal Institute of Chemistry |
Scientific career | |
Fields | Photochemistry Electrochemistry |
Institutions | University of Liverpool Kings College London |
Arthur John Allmand MC | |
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Allegiance | ![]() |
Service/ | ![]() |
Years of service | 1915-1919 |
Rank | Major |
Unit | 5th Battalion Cheshire Regiment |
Battles/wars | World War I Battle of the Somme |
Awards | Military Cross |
Major Arthur John Allmand KSG MC FRS FRIC (7 January 1885 – 4 August 1951) was an English chemist, professor of King's College London and Knight of the Roman Catholic Order of St. Gregory the Great.
Early Life
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a4/Park_Lodge_-_geograph.org.uk_-_658322.jpg/220px-Park_Lodge_-_geograph.org.uk_-_658322.jpg)
1885 in Wrexham, England to Frank (1858-1948[1]) and Mary Allmand, née Thomas[2] (1861-1918[3]) Frank Allmand, was the son of John and Elizabeth Allmand of Park Lodge, Rhosddu Road. The Allmands came from the Malpas area of Cheshire. Frank Allmand was a flour miller of Wrexham who originally owned a water mill, and later a steam mill. Frank Allmand's mill was later burnt down and this combined with the decline of smaller mills in the late 19th Century meant he subsequently became a corn and flour dealer.[4] To supliment his income Frank Allmand bred large white pigs gaining championships at the ‘Bath and West’ and other prizes.The family were not well off, but at the 1891 census had two servants.[5][4] Mary Allmand's father was a Timber Merchant.[2] Allmand spent his early years at 23 Chester Street, Wrexham later the District Registry office.[6]
Allmand's education first began in a Dame School in Wrexham until 1894 before proceeding to London to live with his Aunt in order to attend Alleyn's School, Dulwich on a Scholarship that waived his fees. On account of his aunt leaving London, he returned to Wrexam in 1898 where he attended Grove Park School.[7]
Allmand had decided to become a Chemist after being shown an article in The Scotsman by Professor Tapp of the University of Aberdeen. Despite the disapproval from his headmaster at Grove Park School for not pursuing a university education at Oxford Allmand passed the matriculation exam in 1901 in London, being placed 9th in honours. From there in 1902 Allmand attendedUniversity College Liverpool, Victoria University later University of Liverpool studying chemistry at first under James Campbell Brown with three Scholarships, the Gilchrist, the Tate Scholarship in technical science and one from the Denbighshire Education Committee. At Liverpool Allmand was a close contemporary of Francis Arthur Freeth and Warrington Yorke, with the trio always sitting side by side.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f5/Old_Registry%2C_Wrexham_%28geograph_5130298%29.jpg/220px-Old_Registry%2C_Wrexham_%28geograph_5130298%29.jpg)
Outside of Chemistry Allmand came under the influence of Bernard Pares, from whom he learnt Russian, the Celtic Scholar Kuno Myer, from whom he learnt some Celtic Philology and the linguist John Sampson. The Literary Scholar Oliver Elton was so impressed by his literary ability that he unsuccessfully asked him to join his staff.
Allmand graduated with a first-class honours degree in Chemistry in 1905.
Early Career
Allmands early career was spent at the University of Liverpool as a researcher under of Frederick Donnan where he assisted with design and equipment of the Muspratt Laboratory of Physical Chemistry. It was here Allmand developed a real interest in electrochemistry. Allmand then undertook an M.Sc degree in 1906, and a D.Sc in 1910.
It was in 1910 that Allmand was awarded an 1851 Research Fellowship awarded to "young scientists or engineers of exceptional promise" which took him to the University of Karlsruhe where Allmand worked under Fritz Haber between 1910 and 1911 and subsequently to Royal Saxon Polytechnic Institute, Dresden under Robert Luther between 1911 and 1912. Between 1912 and 1913 Allmand became Donnan’s research assistant in Liverpool and accompanied him to London when Donnan succeeded Sir William Ramsay as the Chair of Chemistry at University College, London.
In 1913 Allmand returned to the University of Liverpool where Allmand was assistant lecturer and demonstrator, holding this position till 1919.
Military Career
Allmand was in Germany at the start of World War I in 1914, and had to escape the country via Poland, Russia and Sweden.
It was after this that Allmand decided to pursue a commission in the British Army.
In October 1914 Allmand sent a telegram to his university contemporary Frederick Freeth, who was serving in the 5th Battalion the 22nd (Cheshire) Regiment, T.A:
‘Can you assist me to obtain a commission in the Cheshire Regiment’.
To which the reply came:
‘Yes, if you will shave off your beard’.
He was commissioned into the Cheshire Regiment in January of 1915 and in the spring of 1915 he joined the 5th Battalion near Ypres; they subsequently went to the Somme. After the introduction of chemical warfare during the war Allmand, as an officer with a chemical background, was seconded from Regimental duty to Gas Services Royal Engineers as Assistant Chemical Adviser to the Third Army on the 30 August 1915[8].In 1916 year he was made a Chemical Adviser to the Fourth Army and in 1918 he was chemical advisor with the Second Army, was in the Army of Occupation and in 1919 was demobilised with the rank of Major.[7]
Allmand was awarded a Military Cross on the 3 June 1916.[9]
Later Career
After leaving the University of Liverpool Allmand's next role was as Professor of Chemistry at King's College, London starting in 1919 until 1950, when he retired. During this time he also served as Dean of the faculty, and was also titled as "Senior Professor".
It was around this time that Allmand developed a growing interest in photochemistry and by 1924 had several researches in both photochemistry and electrochemistry. Through photochemistry he pursued kinetic theory and reaction kinetics that according to Frederick Freeth in his obituary "added greatly to the breadth of Allmand’s learning and the interest of his school."[7]
Allmand was a Vice-President of the Chemical Society and President of the Faraday Society, between the years of 1947 and 1948. Allmand was an Honorary Fellow of the Polish Chemical Society. He was elected as a fellow into the Royal Society in 1929 and was a Fellow of the Royal Institute of Chemistry, a fellow of the Electroplaters Technical Society and for many years was a member of the American Chemical Society and the Deutsche Bunsen Gesellschaft.[4]
Catholic Faith
A landmark and reported turning point in his life was his conversion to his wife's faith, the Roman Catholic Church. Allmand was reported to be naturally a religious man, and held a devotion to the Catholic Church all his life.
In his obituary it was written by Francis Arthur Freeth that:
Allmand’s main working life was dominated by his intense religious conviction that his duty was to serve his country, his university and his students to the greater glory of God.[2]
An indication of his devotion and piousness to the Catholic Church is the fact Pope Pius VII made him a Knight of the Order of Saint Gregory in 1950.
Marriage and Personal life
Allmand married Mile Marguerite Marie S. Malicorne 17th July 1920 in Saint-Mandé . Malicornes parents were Normans from the Saint-Lô district; small landowners and professionals. There were three children of the marriage:
- Marguerite Allmand (5 August 1921[10]- 26 October 2009[11]) who studied languages at the University of London and during the Second World War served in the Auxiliary Territorial Service and worked as a code breaker at Bletchley Park. She married a Civil Servant named John William Murphy in April 1948[12] and had 4 children.[13]
- Captain Michael Allmand VC (22 August 1923 – 24 June 1944[14]) who was educated at Ampleforth College followed by Oriel College, Oxford where he studied history. Michael was commissioned into the Royal Armoured Corps in 1943 and joined the 6th Duke of Connaught’s Own Lancers, where he volunteered to serve in the Second Chindits Expedition and was posted to the 3rd Battalion, 6th Gurkha Rifles, in the 77 Infantry Brigade. He was awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest award for valour for two separate incidents on the 11th June and 23rd June 1944, the latter incident is where he was mortally wounded. Upon announcement of the award the family residence at Hampstead was swarmed with reporters.[13] The VC was presented to his family by King George VI at Buckingham Palace on 17 July 1945. [15]
- Christopher Allmand ( 18 April 1936 – 16 November 2022[16]) who was educated at Ampleforth College followed by Oriel College, Oxford where he studied h istory. Christopher Allmand pursued an academic career and in the Late Middle Ages in England and France. His particular research and teaching interests lay in the Hundred Years' War. He spent most of his teaching career at the University of Liverpool, becoming Professor of Medieval History, until his retirement in 1998.[17]
Allmand had some knowledge of the Welsh language, but was not fluent. The Allmand household was a bilingual one, where both French and English were spoken on account of Allmand's French wife. Allmand was said to be often dressed in a blue suit, flannel shirt and regimental tie and was said to be committed to his duty with an enthusiasm for army life and training.
The Allmand family home was No 5 North Square, Hampstead Garden Suburb.[13]
Death
Major Arthur John Allmand died on the 4 August 1951 after a botched operation. Allmand's funeral was held at St Edward the Confessor Church, Golders Green.
In Sir Ernest Barker's biography Age and Youth: Memories of Three Universities and Father of the Man, Baker writes of King’s College, London, and says:
‘in chemistry there was that rare spirit, saint as well as chemist whose memory is a benediction, A. J. Allmand’.[18]
References
- ^ "Civil Registration Death".
- ^ a b c Freeth, F. A. (1954). "Arthur John Allmand. 1885-1951". Obituary Notices of Fellows of the Royal Society. 9 (1): 3–13. ISSN 1479-571X.
- ^ "Civil registry death index".
- ^ a b c "Arthur John Allmand, 1885-1951". Obituary Notices of Fellows of the Royal Society. 9 (1): 2–13. 1954-11. doi:10.1098/rsbm.1954.0001. ISSN 1479-571X.
{{cite journal}}
: Check date values in:|date=
(help) - ^ "1891 Census".
- ^ "1901 Wales Census". 1901.
- ^ a b c "Arthur John Allmand, 1885–1951". Obituary Notices of Fellows of the Royal Society. 9 (1): 2–13. 30 November 1954. doi:10.1098/rsbm.1954.0001. S2CID 162406316.
- ^ "SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 25 SEPTEMBER, 1915. 9525" (PDF). London Gazette. 25 SEPTEMBER, 1915.
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(help) - ^ "Life story: Arthur John Allmand | Lives of the First World War". livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
- ^ "Census Data".
- ^ "MURPHY - Deaths Announcements - Telegraph Announcements". announcements.telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
- ^ "Marriage registration".
- ^ a b c http://www.hgs.org.uk/suburbnews/sn88/sn-8.pdf
- ^ "St Edward A Look Around the Church Memorial Window". web.archive.org. 2012-03-07. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
- ^ "Michael Allmand VC - victoriacross". www.vconline.org.uk. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
- ^ Small, Graeme (2023-01-01). "Christopher Allmand obituary". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
- ^ "Obituary: Professor Christopher Allmand - Articles - Department of History - University of Liverpool". www.liverpool.ac.uk. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
- ^ Baker, Sir Ernest (1953). Age and Youth: Memories of Three Universities and Father of the Man. Oxford University Press.
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