Allwood, J R

JOSEPH RICHARD ALLWOOD

Remembered with honour Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial: Panel 54 and 56.

He enlisted 21 September 1914 in Hertford, four years service with the Territorial Force Hertfordshire Regiment: aged 20, 5’6½” tall.  He was at Home 21 September to 9 July 1915, and in France 10 July 1915 to 31 July 1917.  He was wounded at Cambrai 7 September 1915, gassed 27 September 1915 and sent to No. 6 Field Ambulance.  On 2 September 1916 he suffered a sprained ankle whilst carrying bombs in a communication trench, and was sent to No. 133 Field Ambulance.  He was awarded 7 days Field Punishment no. 2 for hesitating to obey an order on 30 March 1917, and was granted leave to England from 9 July to 19 July 1917.  He was formerly Private 3232 Hertfordshire Regiment; was entitled to the Victory, British War and 1914-15 Star medals, his qualifying date being 10 July 1915, and was killed in action, officially regarded as having died on or since 31 July 1917, one of 147 men of the Hertfordshire Regiment who lost their lives in the Battle of St Julien.

Son of Minerva Annie (nee JONES or maybe JAMES) ALLWOOD of Watford, and Joseph James ALLWOOD.

His parents married 15 February 1885 at St Thomas’, Stepney, London.  Joseph died 1925 in Watford aged 61, and was buried 1 January 1926 in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford; Minerva died 1930 in Watford aged 63, and was buried 17 April, also in Vicarage Road Cemetery.

Joseph was born 7 August 1894 in Wapping, London, and baptised 4 September 1894 at St Peter’s, London Docks.  He attended first Red Lion Yard Infants’ School, Watford; then Beechen Grove Board School, Watford, from 3 February to 26 March 1902.  He resided in Watford.

On the 1901 Census, aged 6 he lived in Mile End Old Town, London, the grandson of Joseph and Harriet ALLWOOD.  On the 1911 Census, a golf caddie aged 16, he lived in Watford, with his parents and seven siblings.