Thomas Margison Allenson
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Thomas Margison Allenson was born in Carlton in Lindrick in 1889 to George G and Ellen Allenson, 1 of 6 children. His father ran a baker and confectionary shop in Carlton before moving to number 13, Victoria Square, Worksop, working as a baker, whilst Thomas was a van driver in the business. Thomas married in Worksop in Dec 1914 to Miss Schell. Running her own business as a confectioner, this at that time meant making ‘fancies’ loved by the locals as a weekly treat, at 33 Portland Street was a true born English woman Harriet Schell. Harriet was a Warsop girl having been born Harriet Bullivant in 1870. At some stage she married a man called Schell either in England or Australia where her son and daughter were born in 1896 and 1905. After becoming a widow she returned to England and set up her business. There is no record of her suffering from any form of discrimination but the German name must have been a cause for concern to her for in the latter part of 1914 she took a husband in the form of Thomas Margison Allenson. Several advantages flowed to her in that she obtained an English name, a helper in the business as Thomas came from a baking family and the vigour of a husband was some 20 years younger than she was. Thomas was conscripted into the Army in 1916 and Harriet became yet another part of the pity of war when she received a cable in July 1918 informing her that Thomas had died of enteric fever in the distant campaign in Mesopotamia, present day Iraq. (last para added 19 06 15 by Robert Ilett)
Pte. Thomas Allenson Worksop Guardian 12 July 1918 It was with great regret that Worksop people read the brief paragraph in our last issue, announcing the death, from enteric fever, at the Basra Hospital, Mesopotamia. On the previous Sunday, his wife, who resides at 33, Portland Street, Worksop, received a cable, informing her that he was dangerously ill, and yesterday week a second cable informed her that he had died on June 28th, from enteric fever. The deceased soldier was the second son of Mr. and Mrs. G.G. Allenson, Victoria Square, and he was in business with his father up to his enlistment eighteen months ago. He was first drafted to France, and saw considerable fighting round Ypres, and subsequently he was sent to Mesopotamia, where he succumbed to the climate. He was 30 years of age, a steady industrious man in private life, and a gallant soldier. Three years ago, Pte. Allenson married Mrs H.C .Schell, of Portland Street, with whom, and his parents, and other relatives, much sympathy is expressed. He was very well known in the town and district, and his cheerful and obliging disposition made him many friends. In his last letter to his wife he enclosed his diary, which he had kept from the time he joined the army, and he also said with what pleasure he was looking forward to returning home when the war was over. He is one of the many brave and gallant lads who have died doing their duty.
Formerly 75648, Lincs Regt. Buried in the St Nicolas British Cemetery, France. Research by Colin Dannatt
