Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Josh Allen a General Labourer, born 1857 in Cossington, Leicestershire and his wife, Elizabeth, born 1858 in Thrussington, Leicestershire. William was a Shoe Rivetter and was born in 1886 in Sileby, Leicestershire, his siblings were Josh Ed, born 1880, Tom, born 1881, Florence E., born 1882, Bertha, born 1885, Sarah Ann, born 1889, Ethel, born 1891, Elsie Emma, born 1898 and Maud E., born 1899, all his siblings were born in Sileby, Leicestershire, in 1901 the family home was at Barrow Road, Sileby, Leicestershire. William was the husband of Ada Kate Allen, born 1885 in Sileby, Leicestershire, they had one child, a son George, born 1907, in 1911 the family home was at Barrow Road, Sileby, Leicestershire. On Friday August 17th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL MEN IN THE CASUALTY LISTS” The following local casualties are reported in the official list issued for publication on Saturday.- WOUNDED. BEDFORDSHIRE REGIMENT. Allen, 40690 W. Sileby. The War Diary for the 21st September 1918 records. Battalion took part in operations near RONSSOY. Lt. W. G. SAMUELS killed, Lt. S. G. HAGUE died of wounds, Lt. H. B. STEWART MC wounded, 2nd Lt. J. C. BOWEN wounded, 2nd Lt. W. R. SMITH missing, Captain G. E. GOTT wounded, 2nd Lt. D. DAVIES wounded. Total casualties up to 12 midnight during operations from 18th - 22nd September 1918, killed 1 Officer, 48 O.R. Missing 1 Officer and 11 O.R. Wounded 11 Officers and 175 O.R. Died of wounds 1 Officer and 2 O.R. TOTAL 14 Officers and 236 O.R.