Alfred James Whitacre Allen

Alfred James Whitacre Allen was commissioned in The Buffs (then the 3rd Foot) on 12 February 1876. He retired from the Army on 21 June 1913 in the honorary rank of brigadier-general after an eventful career involving active service in the Zulu Campaign (1879), the Sudan (1884-85) and on the North-West Frontier (1897-98), where he was DAA&QMG on the Tirah Expedition. His last post before retirement was OC Troops Ceylon (1909-13).

Brigadier-General Allen was recalled to the colours in September 1914 as GOC 74th Brigade, 25th Division, a New Army formation. 74th Brigade was assembled and trained on Salisbury Plain in the face of appalling weather that necessitated a retreat to billets in Bournemouth in November 1914 and severe shortages of equipment that were not rectified until the spring of 1915.

Although Allen deployed to France with the brigade in September 1915, he was relieved in February 1916. He was 57.

The brigade was not involved in offensive operations during his command