Individual Details

Residence

This from Stephen's baptism record.

Military

Stephen Allen married Ida Noble and they lived at 68, Invicta Road, Margate, Kent. He served in the army in the first world war and was gased. he was only 16 years old when he joined and like so many boys at that time past all his training and was sent to the front. when you see pictures of him in his uniform he only looks 14 or 15 someone must have known his age in the army. anyway he was one of thousands wounded on the first day of the somme. he was wounded in the chest and lay for 3 days in no-mans land hiding in a bomb crater. he managed to climb onto a strecher that was being pulled by a large dog. these dogs which i believe where large french cattle dogs would be sent out into no mans land on a long lead pulling a sled. if one  could get on the slid they would pull you back to friendly lines, which is what happened to Stephen. he spent time in hospital in france and when he was well enough he was sent back to the front. He was eventualy gased and released from the army. he suffered with asthma for the rest of his life and died at the age of 65 from this illness. (This from his grandson seamusconcannon)