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Trueman Moore Allen 282690 Private 219th Battalion; 85th Battalion January 19, 1898 (actual b. January 17, 1898) Richfield, Nova Scotia March 13, 1916 Yarmouth, Nova Scotia Carleton, Yarmouth Co., Nova Scotia 18 5 Feet 6 1/2 Inches light light blue 29th Battery Canadian Field Artillery, Yarmouth, NS Single Farmer Baptist Oran Allen (Father) Carleton, Yarmouth Co., NS August 9, 1918 20 Vimy Memorial, Pas de Calais, France Commemorated on Page 358 of the First World War Book of Remembrance Displayed in the Memorial Chamber of the Peace Tower in Ottawa on August 6 Listed on the Nominal Roll of the 219th Battalion. Trueman Moore Allen was born in Forest Glen, Yarmouth Co., NS on January 17, 1998 the son of Oran Allen (1874-1953) and Georgia Hatfield (Gavel) Allen (b. 1881-1969). The oldest of nine children, he was a brother of Ethel (b. 1900), Annie (b. 1903), Winifred (b 1905), Forman Allen (B. 1908), Violey Allen (b. 1910), Austin (b. 1914), Naomi and Alena. His uncle, Gilman Bond Gavel also served during World War I. Trueman’s father worked the family farm located at “the point” one of the many farms located in the Forest Glen area. Prior to his enlistment in 1916, Trueman had worked on the farm and for a time worked with Graham and Nicholl who operated a lumber business in Carleton. On March 10th, 1916 a recruiting meeting was held in Kemptville, a small community near Carleton. Trueman attended the meeting and found himself caught up in the patriotic fervour of the time. Two days later, he enlisted in the 219th Battalion in Yarmouth, Training in Canada lasted until October 1916. While at Aldershot he was hospitalized for measles from June 14, 1916 and June 26, 1916. While at Bramshott in England he was hospitalized for mumps between February 10, 1917 and March 5, 1917. He embarked Halifax on the SS Olympic on October 10, 1916 and arrived in Liverpool, England on October 18, 1916. At Bramshott following a medical review that determined he had impaired vision in his right eye, he was categorized as C3 (Fit for Permanent Base Duty) on December 11, 1917 the result of defective vision. He was transferred from the 219th Battalion to the Canadian Ordinance Corps, at Liphook on January 23, 1917. However, a re- evaluation on June 27, 1917 while at the Canadian Ordinance Corps No 2 Detachment, Liphook determined his vision was satisfactory and that he was fit for active service. On July 12, 1917 he was struck off strength from the Canadian Ordinance Corps and transferred to the 17th Reserve Battalion. He returned to Bramshott and was taken on strength with the 85th Battalion and proceeded overseas arriving in France on November 11, 1917. He left the Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp in France on November 17 and joined the 85th Battalion on November 23, 1917. On August 9, 1918 he suffered a gun shot wound to the face while on a salvage party south of Caix,a small village located north of France, and was evacuated to No. 2 Cavalry Field Ambulance where he succumbed to his wounds the same day. The military records indicate that the reported location of his grave is in the Domart Military Cemetery (Hourges Orchard Cemetery, Domart-Sur- La-Luce); however, there is no record of his burial. His name is listed on the Vimy Memorial. The following letter was received by Trueman’s mother in September, 1918. For some fifty years a fading postcard picture of Trueman Allen in his uniform, hung on the wall in the home of his childhood friend until after her death in 1966, a reminder of the young man who had been a neighbour so many years before.
Private Trueman Moore Allen
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Name: Service No: Rank: Battalion/Service: Date of Birth: Place of Birth: Date of Enlistment: Place of Enlistment: Address at Enlistment: Age at Enlistment: Height: Complexion: Hair Colour: Eye Colour: Previous Military: Martial Status: Trade: Religion: Next of Kin: Date of Death: Age at Death: Memorial:
Minister’s Office Sept 5, 1918 Dear Mrs. Allen I desire to express to you my very sincere sympathy in the recent decease of your son No. 282690 Pte. Trueman Moore Allen, C.E.F. who in sacrificing his life at the front, dying August 9 of wounds received the day previous aged 20 years and 7 months, has rendered the highest services of a worthy citizen. The heavy loss which you and the nation have sustained would indeed he depressing were it not redeemed by the knowledge that the brave comrade for whom we mourn performed his duties fearlessly and well as became a good soldier and gave his life for the great cause of human liberty and the defence of the Empire. Again extending to you in your bereavement my condolence and heartfelt sympathy. Yours faithfully, S. E. Mewburn Minister of Militia and Defence for Canada
Trueman Allen (in uniform) with his uncle Gilman Bond Gavel