Tom Bramley Allen
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Tom Bramley was the son of Joseph and Alitica Allen nee Osborne. Tom was born on 28 December 1890 (1891 J/F/M Basford) and baptised at Sutton St Nicholas, near Croydon, Surrey, on 3 August 1902; his parents were still living in Nottingham. His mother, Alitica (sometimes shown as 'Alicia' on records) was born in Basford but two census records have different places of birth for his father, either New Basford or Hucknall Torkard. His parents were married on 24 December 1866 at Selston, Nottinghamshire. According to the 1911 Census completed by the widowed Joseph, he and his wife had been married for 44 years and had had five children of whom four were still living. In 1881 Joseph (38), a sinker maker (hosiery), and his wife were living at 49 Alfred Street South ('pt. house'), St Ann's, with their daughter, Elizabeth (11). Joseph was head of household but also in the home were Emma Baley (50), described as his mother, and her daughters, Louisa (22) a machine hand, Liley (16) and Leonora (5). The family has not yet been traced on the 1891 Census, but in 1901 Joseph, now a sinker maker foreman, and his wife were living at 65 Kirke White Street, Meadows, with their son Tom (10). Alitica died on 24 May 1901 (A/M/J Nottingham) age 54. In 1911 the widowed Joseph was living at 31 Handel Street Nottingham, with his son Tom (20), a cabinet maker. Joseph married Mary Anderson in 1914 (J/F/M Nottingham). He died aged 72 the following year on 14 November (1915 O/N/D Nottingham). Mary Allen, died on 20 January 1941.
He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial. The notice of Tom's death in the local paper reports that he was 'killed in action' although the 'Registers of Soldiers' Effects' suggests that he might have been a prisoner of war before his death.
Inscription family gravestone, Nottingham General Cemetery: 'In loving memory of Alitica the beloved wife of Joseph Allen who died May 24th 1901 aged 54 years. In the midst of life we are in death. Also of the above named Joseph Allen who died November 14th 1915 aged 72 years. Also Tom B Allen their beloved son killed in action August 1st 1916 aged 25 years. Duty nobly done. In loving memory of Mary Allen [stepmother] who died January 20th 1941.' Nottingham Evening Post In Memoriam 1 August 1917: 'Allen. In loving memory of Tom the beloved son of the late Joseph Allen killed in action August 1st 1916. -Fondly remembered mother, brothers and sisters.' CWGC record: 'Son of Mary Allen (stepmother) of 46 Alderson Rd, Alum Rock, Saltley, Birmingham, and the late Joseph Allen' Registers of Soldiers' Effects: the record is annotated '(-) since 1.8.16 death accepted PoW Germany.' The record is difficult to read, but it appears that his stepmother, Mary Allen, was his legatee although there may have been payments to a brother (?Joseph) and sister (?Annie).
