Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of George Allington (Allerton) a bricklayer, born 1855 in Walpole, Suffolk and his wife Sarah Allington (nee Smith, married in the 3rd quarter of 1877 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district), born 1855 in Harby, Leicestershire. William was born in 1892 in Hose, Leicestershire, his siblings were Polly, born 1882, Blanche Elizabeth, born 1889, Florence Sarah, born 1893, Rose, born 1895 and Agnes May, born 1901, all his siblings were born in Harby, in 1901 the family home was at The Vicarage, Hose, Leicestershire. In 1911 William was absent from the family home at Hose, residing there was his father, a bricklayer, his mother and siblings, Alfred Jackson, a bricklayer, born 1884 in Hose and Rose, also residing in the family home were William’s Niece Mary Allington, a schoolgirl, born 1901 and nephew, Edgar Allington, born 1908, the latter two children were both born in Hose, William was employed as a farm waggoner and was residing as a servant at Browne's Lodge, Whissendine, Rutland. William also had the following older siblings, Horace James, born 1879, Mary Ellen, born 1881, Evelina, born 1883, the latter three siblings were all born in Hose and Edith Emma, born 1886 in Hose. William’s mother died in the 2nd quarter of 1915 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district, aged 59. William gave as his sole legatees the following, his brother Horace, sister’s Rose Stanley, Blanche Tucker, Mary Musson, Lena Marshall, Edith Graff and Florence, his half sister Martha A. Tinsley and Miss Jeannie Wilford.
William attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement (For the Duration of the War, with the Colours and in the Army Reserve.) on the 9th December 1915 in Flore, Northamptonshire. He gave his home address as Hose, Melton Mowbray, his age as 24 years and 180 days and his trade or calling as wagoner. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his father William Allington of Hose, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 2 inches in height and he had a chest measurement of between 35½ and 39 inches. After attestation on the 9/12/15 in Flore, Northamptonshire he was transferred as Private, service number 18/37916 to the Army Reserve. Mobilized on the 1/3/16. Posted to the Nottinghamshire & Derby Regiment Depot on the 1/3/16. Posted to the 14th Battalion Nottinghamshire & Derby Regiment on the 8/3/16. Posted to the 15th Battalion Nottinghamshire & Derby Regiment on the 12/7/16. Embarked to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 13/7/16. Arrived at 14th Infantry Brigade Depot, Etaples on the 14/7/16. Joined the 15th Battalion Nottinghamshire & Derby Regiment, in the field on the 24/7/6. Accidentally drowned on the 2/8/16. A summary of his service records: Home Service, 9/12/15 - 11/7/16, 216 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 12/7/16 – 2/8/16, 22 days. Total service 238 days. William was awarded the British War and Victory medals.
The following is taken from a memorandum addressed to Head Quarters, 105th Infantry Brigade: Forward herewith report on the accidental drowning of No. 18/37916 Private Allington this afternoon in the Somme. It appears to me that the occurrence was accidental. Strict orders had been issued and I personally saw to them being carried out. Pickets were established all along the bank in case anyone got into trouble. Every effort was made to locate the place where the man sank, but owing to the current it was difficult to stay on the bottom, added to which the weed made diving a risky procedure. I would like to bring L/Sergeant Rose’s name forward for the risky and praiseworthy attempts he made to try and rescue the deceased. I am of the opinion that the place is not suitable for bathing and if stationed any length of time will select a more convenient place. The actual place where the accident occurred was K.29.d.7.5 (Map Ref. 62DNE) + 20,000. Dated 2/8/16 and signed by -?- Lt. Col. 18th Sherwood Foresters.
A copy of the Report records: To The Adjutant, 15 Sherwood Foresters.
Casualty – 18/37916 Pte W. H. Allington – Drowned.
With reference to the above casualty I have made a full investigation and beg to report as follows:-
This man has only just joined the Regiment and there is some doubt as to whether he could swim or not – from evidence I am of the opinion that he could swim a little.
The current was strong and the sides deep and there were plenty of weeds about.
Before the men went into the water I detailed a Bathing Piquet of 16 men. 8 to be in the water and 8 on the bank. The instructions I issued were that only good swimmers were to go into the river – others to wash themselves from the side.
25067 Pte Limerick states:- The water was up to this man’s chest and he said to me – Give me your hand with a view to my pulling him up a step into shallow water. He made a grab at my hand and missed it thereby falling backwards. I did not go after him as I cannot swim. Signed Pte Limerick F.
8576 L/Sgt W. H. Rose states:- I was standing on the bank and witnessed the foregoing – The man did not appear to be in difficulties but as soon as he missed his grip I dived in and managed to grip his leg – he kicked and I had to let go – I kept on diving until I was exhausted. Signed W. H. Rose. Sgt.
24810 Pte A. Wellens states:- I was one of the bathing piquet on the bank and saw the man go down apparently knocked over by the current – I dived in 3 or 4 times but could feel nothing but weeds. Signed Pte. A. Wellens.
William’s surviving service documents are in poor condition, and much of the finer detail relating to the period of time that he spent in the Army, is either illegible or missing, hence the sparse overall description of his military and personal family history.
On Friday August 18th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS.” – HOSE. – ACCIDENTALLY DROWNED. It will be with much regret that the sad news will be received that Pte. W. Allington of the Leicesters, has been accidentally drowned whilst bathing in France. Much sympathy is expressed with his brothers and sisters who have recently lost their father.