Mr William Henry Allen was born in Lenton, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England in early 1873. He was later baptised in Coventry, Warwickshire on 30 July 1876.
He was the son of Alfred Allen (b. 1849), a turner and later a factory foreman, and Hannah Selina Hunt (b. 1851), natives of Birmingham who were married in early 1872, and William was one of their six children. His siblings were: George Alfred (b. 1874), Arthur Archibald (b. 1876), Florence Louise (b. 1878), Gertrude Miriam (b. 1887) and Elsie (b. 1893).
He first appears on the 1881 census living at 34 Leicester Street in St Mary, Nottingham followed by the 1891 census when he and his family were living at 5 Addington Road, Radford, Nottingham. His parents and two younger sisters later moved to London, settling in Hackney where they would appear on the 1901 and 1911 censuses. William apparently remained behind in Nottingham and was listed on the 1901 census as a boarder at 114 Cremorne Road in that city and was described as an unmarried engine fitter's apprentice. His landlords where Mr and Mrs Henry Rigby and one of their daughters would later become William's wife.
William was married in 1906 to Florence Ann Rigby (b. 1877 in Sandiacre, Derbyshire). The 1911 census shows William boarding at 63 Kingsway in Coventry and he was described by then as a toolmaker in the nut and screw trade. His wife was shown on the same census residing with her parents at 118 Cremorne Street, Nottingham. Contemporary media reports that by 1912 the couple, who were childless, were residing together at 78 Queen's Road, Erdington, Birmingham.
After staying with his parents for a short while at Albert Cottage, Pembury Road, Clapton, London, Allen boarded the Titanic as a third class passenger (ticket number 373450 which cost £8, 1s). He planned to get a job in the USA whilst staying with an uncle at 593 Eleventh Avenue, New York City. He was the best friend of steward George Hinckley. Hinckley, originally of Derby, had left his job at Birmingham Metal and Munitions Co. Ltd, Adderley Park, Birmingham. It is possible that the two men had worked together.
William Allen died in the Titanic disaster and his body was never recovered. His estate worth £167, 10s which administered to his widow on 5 April 1913. Florence Allen never remarried and eventually resettled in Bridgford, Nottinghamshire. She passed away on 15 September 1965.
A suitcase belonging to Allen was recovered from the wreck in 2000. It contained clothing that bore a laundry stamp "W. Allen".
Comment and discuss
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In August 2000, I dove on Titanic and we retrieved a large leather bag belonging to 3rd class passenger William Allen. I would like to learn some details about this man. All I know is that he perished, was 35 and came from Lower Clapton, Middlesex and boarded the Titanic at Southampton.
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What we have here on our bio pages is...unfortunately...very limited. "Mr William Henry Allen, 35, of Lower Clapton, Middlesex boarded the Titanic at Southampton (ticket number 373450, £8 1s). Allen died in the disaster. His body, if recovered, was never identified." I can't say as this lack of information is much of a shock. Most of the people in 3rd class were just plain folks who lived their lives with little notice or fanfare. The wonder of it is that we can find out as much about them as we do. Hopefully, one of our passenger oriented members knows more. Cordially, Michael H. Standart
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In one of my many trips to the UK to research the passengers, I came across an article con- cerning Mr Allen's aunt, who had to be called away from a village council meeting to be given the news of the disaster. I do have another short article, will type in to your mail address shortly. Any snippets available as to what was found in the luggage? Best Regards, Brian Meister
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Allen, William Henry...... Looking for more info about William Henry Allen. Warm Regards, Gail Allen,Ohio USA
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Hi Gail! Not so sure whether this will help your family-tree any further, but amongst my possessions I do retain The National Roll Of The Great War 1914-1918, Section 1, London. Inside the pages are entries for the Allens, listing at least, 19 altogether. Question Gail:- Did William Henry Allen, have a brother? If this does help your cause, then by all means send me an e-mail and I'll see what I can look up! Cheers for now. Andrew W.
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Hi all, I have tried searching for Mr Allen on the 1881 census, I think it would he would have been about 4. I have found several possibilities does anyone have any info that would help me find him? for instance the name of his aunt in the newspaper article? Best wishes, emma
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Hi all, I have tried searching for Mr Allen on the 1881 census, I think he would have been about 4. I have found several possibilities does anyone have any info that would help me find him? for instance the name of his aunt in the newspaper article? Best wishes, emma
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Evening all, According to a Birmingham newspaper, William Allen, 37, of 78 Queen's Road, Erdington, Birmingham, had stayed with his parents in London for a few days before sailing. He planned to get a job in the U.S. whilst staying with an uncle at 593 Eleventh Avenue, New York City. He was the best friend of steward George Hinckley. Hinckley, 35, originally of Derby, had left his job at Birmingham Metal and Munitions Co. Ltd, Adderley Park, Birmingham. As Allen is described as a Tool Maker, I would say it is highly likely that the two men worked together. In the passenger death register, his last abode is given as c/o F Hunt at the Birmingham address. I believe this would be his aunt? I live very close to Birmingham so at the next opportunity I will research this further. Hope this helps, Boz
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Hi Boz, Thanks for that info I shall have another look on the disc. Em
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Evening Em, Gail's internet access is on the blink until at least the 31st May so I sent her what I posted above by e-mail. What disc is this you have? A census disc? Cheers, Boz P.S. Off to have a well deserved pint of Stella.
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Hi Boz, yes I have the 1881 census disc. It is fascinating. I even found Captain Smith the other day along with Florence Nightingale and other well known victorians! best wishes, Em
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Morning Em, How do I get a copy of this disc? All this type of research is completely new to me! It beats sitting in a library all day pouring over reels and reels of microfilm. Cheers, Boz
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Hi Boz The 1881 Uk census on cd-rom is available to buy over at
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Evening All Perhaps I have something which may be of interest to you all in one way or another. My maternal grandmother was Caroline Allen and through her the Allen family photo album has come into my hands. It contains the photograph of a young man, I guess mid-twenties, on the back of which is written "William, eldest son of Alfred Allen. Drowned in the Titanic Disaster". I will try and upload this photo if I can work out how! And now I think it gets really interesting. The father of Caroline Allen is William Henry Allen, born 1846/7; he and his family appear in the 1881 census at Commercial Street, Birmingham. He was an Ironmaster (owner of an iron-foundry) as had his father William been before him. I imagine they worked together at some point. I have the business card of WH Allen showing the foundry, called the Washington Foundry, on one side and stating that he made constructional iron work on the other. In the 1870s he was sued in the High Court in London over a...
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Good Afternoon, I believe the F. Hunt is his Uncle Fred. Fred Hunt was the brother of Williams mother...
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