Allegiance United Kingdom Service/branch British Army Role Armed force officer | Name William Allen Rank Sergeant Awards Victoria Cross | |
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Buried at Monmouth Cemetery (51°49′10.17″N 2°42′53.29″W / 51.8194917°N 2.7148028°W / 51.8194917; -2.7148028Coordinates: 51°49′10.17″N 2°42′53.29″W / 51.8194917°N 2.7148028°W / 51.8194917; -2.7148028) Battles/wars Anglo-Zulu War
Rorke's Drift Died March 12, 1890, Monmouth, United Kingdom Place of burial Monmouth Cemetery, United Kingdom Battles and wars Anglo-Zulu War, Battle of Rorke's Drift Similar People Frederick Hitch, Robert Jones, John Williams, Gonville Bromhead, John Chard | ||
William Wilson Allen, VC (circa 1843 – 12 March 1890) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross (VC) for his actions at the Battle of Rorke's Drift in January 1879, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
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Details
He had joined the 24th Regiment at Aldershot in 1859. He was about 35 years old, a sergeant who had recently been reduced in rank to corporal for being drunk on duty. He was in the 2nd Battalion, 24th Regiment of Foot (later The South Wales Borderers), British Army during the Zulu War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 22 and 23 January 1879 at Rorke's Drift, Natal, South Africa, Corporal Allan and another man (Frederick Hitch) kept communication with the hospital open, despite being severely wounded. Their determined conduct enabled the patients to be withdrawn from the hospital, and when incapacitated by their wounds from fighting, they continued, as soon as their wounds were dressed, to serve out ammunition to their comrades during the night.
He later achieved the rank of sergeant for the second time.
He died of influenza on 12 March 1890 at 85 Monnow Street, Monmouth, at the age of 46. A fund was set up to help the family, his wife, Sarah Ann and his seven children. He is buried at Monmouth Cemetery, Monmouthshire.
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the South Wales Borderers Museum, Brecon.
Film portrayal
In the 1964 film Zulu, Allen was portrayed by Glynn Edwards. Allen in the film is depicted as a model soldier and no mention is ever made of him being drunk on duty in the past.