William Allen (VC 1879)
William Wilson Allen | |
|---|---|
 Depiction of the Defence of Rourke's Drift by Alphonse de Neuville | |
| Born | c. 1843 Kyloe, Northumberland |
| Died | 12 March 1890 (aged 46-47) Monmouth, Monmouthshire |
| Buried | 51°49′10.17″N 2°42′53.29″W / 51.8194917°N 2.7148028°W |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom/British Empire |
| Service |  British Army |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Unit | 24th Regiment of Foot |
| Battles / wars | Anglo-Zulu War Rorke's Drift |
| Awards | Victoria Cross |
William Wilson Allen, VC (circa 1843 – 12 March 1890) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross (VC) for his actions at the Battle of Rorke's Drift in January 1879, the highest and most prestigious award for valour in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Details
He had joined the 24th Regiment at Aldershot in 1859. He was about 35 years old, a sergeant who had recently been reduced in rank to corporal for being drunk on duty. He was in the 2nd Battalion, 24th Regiment of Foot (later The South Wales Borderers), British Army during the Zulu War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 22 and 23 January 1879 at Rorke's Drift, Natal, South Africa, Corporal Allan and another man (Frederick Hitch) kept communication with the hospital open, despite being severely wounded. Their determined conduct enabled the patients to be withdrawn from the hospital, and when incapacitated by their wounds from fighting, they continued, as soon as their wounds were dressed, to serve out ammunition to their comrades during the night.[1]
He later achieved the rank of sergeant for the second time.
He died of influenza on 12 March 1890 at 85 Monnow Street, Monmouth, at the age of 46. A fund was set up to help the family, his wife, Sarah Ann and his seven children.[2] He is buried at Monmouth Cemetery, Monmouthshire. [3]
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Regimental Museum of The Royal Welsh, Brecon.
Film portrayal
In the 1964 film Zulu, Allen was portrayed by Glynn Edwards. Allen in the film is depicted as a model soldier and no mention is ever made of him being drunk on duty in the past.
References
- ^ "No. 24717". The London Gazette. 2 May 1879. p. 3178.
- ^ Harrison, David (June 2008). Monmouth Cemetery Trail 1 (leaflet).
- ^ "Cpl. William Wilson Allen (1240 B Co. 24th. Regiment)". rorkesdriftvc.com. Retrieved 18 February 2012.
External links
- Cpl. William Wilson Allen (biography, photos, memorial details)
- Rorke's Drift (information within Frederick Hitch site)
- Burial location of William Allan "Monmouthshire"
- Location of William Allan's Victoria Cross "South Wales Borderers Museum, Brecon"
- Use dmy dates from April 2012
- British recipients of the Victoria Cross
- South Wales Borderers soldiers
- Anglo-Zulu War recipients of the Victoria Cross
- British Army personnel of the Anglo-Zulu War
- Deaths from the 1889–90 flu pandemic
- Infectious disease deaths in Wales
- People from Kyloe
- British Army recipients of the Victoria Cross
- 1843 births
- 1890 deaths
- Burials in Wales