Capt. Melville Hodsoll Allen, Royal West Kent.

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

I cannot find a MIC for him, the balance of probability is that he did not go abroad.

1915 May 12 Commissioned.

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.

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

ADRIC