Queens South Africa Medal clasps Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (9017 PTE. C. ALLEN. NORTH'D FUS.) 1914-15 Star (MTE. C. ALLAN, R.N.); British War Medal (ENG. LT. C.J. ALLAN. R.N.); Victory Medal (ENG. LT. C.J. ALLAN.); Portugal, Military, Order of Avis, Chevalier - unnamed as awarded.
Charles Allen had a very interesting career in uniform - one that spanned the Anglo Boer War through to WWI and saw him make the move from the army to the navy. Born in Bishop Auckland, Durham on Christmas Day 1881, he attested for service with the Northumberland Fusiliers on 21 February 1901 - seeing service with the 2nd Battalion in the Anglo Boer War in South Africa from 15 March 1901 until being repatriated to England on 21 June 1902. According to the medal rolls he was a member of the Volunteer Service Company - a body of men each established regiment was asked to provide to augment those already in the field.
Too late for any of the pitched battles that characterised the first part of the war, he would, nonetheless, have seen plenty of action in the Transvaal, Orange Free State and Cape Colony in the many drives undertaken to try and hem the Boers into a corner in order to effect their surrender.
Back on home soil, he enlisted with the Royal Navy on 3 February 1904 and saw service with them in WWI in a variety of vessels. He was commissioned an Engineer Lieutenant in 1915 and, in that capacity, received the thanks of the Admiralty "relative to the proceedings of HMS Gloucester in regard to the German prize "Macedonia." The Captain of the Gloucester had highly praised the good work performed by.... Artificer Engineer Charles Allen.
HMS Gloucester was detached in late February 1915 to search for the German cruiser SS Kronprinz Wilhelm off the west coast of Africa, departing Scapa Flow on 27 February 1915. On 28 March she captured the German raider's supply ship, SS Macedonia, in the Central Atlantic and Kronprinz Wilhelm was forced to intern herself for a few weeks for lack of supplies.
Allen applied for entry into the Royal Naval Air Service but was told, politely, on 24 May 1915 that, although his services would willingly be accepted, he could not be spared from the Sea Service. He was placed on the Retired List at his own request on 11 May 1920 and was awarded the Portuguese Order of Avis, announced in the London Gazette of 4 February 1921.
According to the 1921 Census he was an Engineer Lieutenant (Retired) living at 3 Outram Terrace, Devonport with his family. He was promoted to the rank of Engineer Lieutenant Commander on the Retired List on 1 April 1925 - at which time his address was as above.
Charles James Allen (Allan) passed away in Billingham, Durham on 20 March 1931.
Medals are in good condition unless indicated otherwise. Sold with some research including copy document of the Avis award.
