Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Frederick Hall, a bricklayer, born 17th January 1854 in Whetstone, Leicestershire and his wife Ellen Jane Hall (nee Smith, married on the 18th November 1873 in St. Peter’s Church, Whetstone), born 29th June 1854 in Whetstone. Southey Allen was born on the 3rd August 1880 in Whetstone, his siblings were, Sarah Elizabeth, a schoolgirl, born 27th February 1874, George Frederick, a schoolboy, born 2nd September 1876 and Arthur Percy, born 19th May 1878, all his siblings were born in Whetstone, in April 1881 the family home was in Whetstone. In April 1891 Southey was a schoolboy and was residing in the family home at Blaby Lane, Whetstone, together with his father, a bricklayer, his mother and siblings, Sarah, a Griswold knitter, George, a shoe trade worker, Arthur, a shoe trade worker, Albert Archibald, a schoolboy, born 11th April 1883 and Florence Joanna, a schoolgirl, born 25th December 1884, the latter two siblings were both born in Whetstone. Southey’s father died in July 1898 in Whetstone, age 44. In March 1901 Southey was absent from the family home at The Nook, Whetstone, residing there was his widowed mother and siblings, Albert, a shoe trade riveter and Florence, a stocking maker, Southey was serving as a Drummer with the 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment and was stationed at Glen Parva Barracks, Leicestershire. Southey’s mother died in January 1904 in Whetstone, age 49. In April 1911 Southey was a Bandsman and was residing in the family home at 17, Ivy Cottages, High Street, Aldershot, Hampshire, together with his wife Olive Hall (nee Ridgeway, married on the 24th March 1906 in Blaby Register Office, Leicestershire), born 1885 in Blaby, Leicestershire and their children, Victor Allen, born 9th August 1906 and George Leonard, born 9th January1908, the latter two children were both born in Wigston, Leicestershire and Olive, born 20th April 1910 in Farnham, Hampshire. They also had another daughter, Queenie, born 13th October 1912 in Blaby.
Southey enlisted/attested into the Regular Army on the 29th January 1897 in Leicester, and was allotted the service number 4895. He gave his place of birth as Whetstone, Leicestershire and age as 16 years 6 months. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as musician.
He confirmed that he was presently serving with 3rd Bn. Leicestershire Regiment - Militia.
His medical examination took place in Leicester on the 29th January 1897 and recorded his apparent age as 16 years 6 months, that he was 5-feet 2¾ inches in height, weighed 102 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 31 and 32½ inches, his complexion was described as fair, he had blue eyes and his hair colour was fair. He gave his religion as Baptist.
He gave his next of kin as his father, Frederick, mother Jane, brothers, (older) George, Percy, (younger) Albert, sisters, Sarah, Florence, The Nook, Whetstone, Leicestershire.
During his period of military service, the following events of note occurred: -
Joined. At Leicester. 29/1/1897.
Posted. To 3rd Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Boy. 29/1/1897.
Appointed. Drummer. 27/3/1897.
Awarded 3rd Class Certificate of Army Education. 8/4/1897.
Awarded 2nd Class Certificate of Army Education. 5/4/1898.
Elected to come under Regulations governing issue of Messing Allowance in accordance with provisions of Para 5. Army Order 55 of 1898. 1/9/1899.
Granted. Good Conduct Pay @ 1d. 8/11/01.
Battalion Embodied. For service in South Africa. 26/3/02.
From South Africa on disembodiment of 3rd Bn. Leicestershire Regt. 3/10/02.
Granted. Good Conduct Pay @ 2d. 8/11/03.
Granted. Service Pay Class I @ 7d. 1/4/04.
Re-engaged. To complete 21 years Colour Service. 9/9/08.
Granted. 3rd Good Conduct Badge. 26/1/09.
Posted. To 1st Bn. Leicestershire Regt. 12/2/09.
Resigned. Appointment of Drummer reverts to Private. 17/2/09.
Appointed. Bandsman. 4/10/09.
Reverts. To Private at own request. 12/9/11.
Appointed. Drummer. 12/9/11.
Transferred. To Regular Permanent Establishment as Drummer. 16/9/11.
Posted. From 12th Infantry Brigade Depot as Drummer. 22/12/16.
Posted. To 1st Bn. Leicestershire Regt. as Drummer. 22/12/16.
Posted. To the Depot England, Leicestershire Regt. as a Drummer. 19/3/17.
Discharged. No longer physically fit for War Service (K.R. 392 (XVI). 23/4/17.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 29/1/1897 - 25/3/02. 5 years 56 days.
South Africa. 26/3/02 - 2/10/02. 191 days.
Home Service 3/10/02 - 21/12/16. 14 years 80 days.
France. 22/12/16 - 18/3/17. - 87 days.
Home Service. 19/3/17 - 23/4/17. 36 days.
Total Service. 20 years 85 days.
He was awarded the Queen’s South Africa Medal with clasps “Cape Colony,” “Orange Free State,” “Natal,” “South Africa 1902.” British War Medal and Victory Medal.
The Proceedings on Discharge that took place at the Norfolk War Hospital, Thorpe, Norwich on the 3rd April 1917 recorded the following information. His age was 36 years 8 months, he was 5-feet 7 inches in height, had a chest measurement, not recorded, his complexion was described as fresh, he had blue eyes and his hair colour was brown, his trade or calling was musician and his intended place of residence was 4, Lower Grove Street, Belgrave Gate, Leicester.
He was discharged on the 23rd April 1917 in consequence of: - Tubercle of lung. Being No longer physically fit for War Service (K.R. 392 (XVI).
His Military character was described as: - Not yet assessed.
His Character awarded in accordance with King’s Regulation was: - Not recorded.
The Certificate of Official Discharge for the 23rd April 1917 was signed in Lichfield on the 6th April 1917.
In September 1940, as the result of a fire caused by an incendiary bomb at the War Office Record Store in Arnside Street, London, approximately two thirds of 6.5 million soldiers’ documents for the First World War were destroyed. Those records which survived were mostly charred or water damaged and unfit for consultation and became known as the “burnt documents.” As a consequence, the content and condition of the surviving records can range from good to extremely poor. The hand written information is, in some instances barely legible, and the number of pages that should comprise a full record, in some cases are either badly damaged or missing entirely, however where possible the available information has been transcribed so that it may at least offer the reader a little descriptive insight into some, if not all of the events and background information surrounding the period of service.