VC Action: William Barnsley Allen VC DSO MC and Bar (8 June 1892 - 27 August 1933) was 24 years old, and a captain in the Royal Army Medical Corps, British Army, attached to 246th (W. Riding) Bde., Royal Field Artillery during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross.

On 3 September 1916, near Mesnil, France, when gun detachments were unloading high explosive ammunition from wagons which had just come up, the enemy suddenly began to shell the battery position. The first shell fell on one of the limbers, exploded the ammunition and caused several casualties. Captain Allen saw the occurrence and at once, with utter disregard of danger, ran across the open, under heavy shell fire, commenced dressing the wounded and undoubtedly by his promptness saved many of them from bleeding to death. He himself was hit four times during the first hour by pieces of shell, one of which fractured two of his ribs, but he never even mentioned this at the time, and coolly went on with his work until the last man was dressed and safely removed. He then went over to another battery and tended a wounded officer. It was only when this was done that he returned to his dug-out and reported his own injury.

In August 1916 he was awarded the Military Cross and in July, 1917, he was awarded the Bar to the Military Cross and was invalided to England on 22nd July. On 4th January 1918, he was made acting Major. On 17th October 1918, he was wounded for the third time and invalided for the second time to England, and awarded the D.S.O. on this date. He served in France three years and two months; was transferred to Regular R.A.M.C., and dated back to Captain on 8th February, 1918, which rank he held to the conclusion of the war.

Help support this site by making a donation.