Corporal WW Allen V.C, 24th Regiment .. Rorkes Drift Zulu War 1879 .. Boar War South Africa.

Zulu War 1879
The Victoria Cross was awarded for this mans undaunted bravery at the Defence of Rorke's Drift' 22nd January 1879. When with Frederick Hitch held a most dangerous and difficult position, defending the removal of the wounded and sick soldiers from the burning hospital across to the inner defence lines. After this was accomplished and severely wounded Cpl William Allen still held his post. Being raked by heavy fire from the Zulus on the adjacent hill and his post no longer tenable he made his way to the now makeshift hospital in the church for medical attention. After receiving minimal battlefield attention, with his chest bandaged and one bandaged arm in a sling and hearing the cries of the soldiers on the sandbags for more ammunition took it upon himself to trail the ammo boxes to the major defence line and serve out ammunition to the holders of the barricade .. Now Basically he's in the thick of the action with no way to defend himself' .. On return to The United Kingdom William Allen was one of The 11 Victoria Cross awardees for valour at this famous battle, Awarded by Queen Victoria ' as This Old Photograph shows him being awarded The Victoria Cross By Queen Victoria in person. - 3 -

Of the 101 soldiers of the 24th Regiment present at the Battle of Rorke's Drift, 49 are known to have been of English nationality, 32 were Welsh, 16 were Irish, one was a Scot and three were born overseas

Cpl Wilson William Allen was my great grandfather, his daughter Helena Allen was my grandmother '' = BELOW Are a few of Helena's Pictures of HER Family who are Descendents of her father William Allen = = ... Please Click on The Link Below = =

www.flickr.com/photos/89631716@N07/53079334439/in/datepos... .. -

Helena my grandmother who met and married John Alcorn while living and working in Wicklow in Ireland .. John my grandfather and his wife Helena spent their retirement years living in Portstewart County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. Helena Alcorn died in 1958 aged 81 and her husband John Alcorn 2 years later in 1960 at age 90. I was at both funerals as a young lad in Portstewart Old Cemetery .. On return to Brecon Army Camp Cpl William Allen was promoted to Sgt Skill at Arms Instructor. The people of The Town of Brecon had clubbed moneys together and bought and presented him with a gold pocket watch 'now in the Brecon Museum' On retirement from the regular service with the army and becoming a reservist William lived on John Street in the town of Brecon, and was employed as caretaker of a local school until in 1890 when at age 46 he caught influenza during an epidemic and succumbed shortly after .. He is buried in Monmouth Cemetery in Wales and his misspelt headstone grave is looked after by The Local Branch of The Royal British legion .. In The Movie 'Zulu' Glynn Edwards plays the part of Corporal Wilson William Allen VC.

Taken on: November 11, 2018

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Sets appears in: • Bits and Bobs and This n That. An Old Picture Album. by mrvisk • Royal Irish. British Armed Forces. by mrvisk more » • Alcorn Family From Portrush, County Antrim in Northern Ireland. by mrvisk « less

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