Archibald Allan MC
Rank: Captain
Date of Death: 17/06/1918
Age: 28
Regiment/Service: Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry (4th Bn.)
Cemetery: Montecchio Precalcino Communal Cemetery
Additional information: Son of Rev. James and Mary Allan of Shettleston, Lanarkshire, M.A., BSc., N.D.A.
Rutherglen Lore information: Son of Rev. James and Mrs. Allan, 5 Huntly Terrace, Shettleston.
De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour information: s. of the Rev. James Allan of 5 Huntly Terrace, Shettleston. Minister of the Carntyne United Free Church, by his wife, Mary, dau. of John Muir; b Shettleston 31st December 1889; educ. Tollcross; Whitehill; Glasgow University and the West of Scotland Agricultural College; was a Research Student; joined the 6th Battn. The Cameron Highlanders 14th Oct. 1914; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from July 1915; was wounded 2 Sept.; returned to England at the end of the month and after a period of training at Rip was gazette 2nd Lieut. To the Scottish Rifles 23 Dec. 1915; transferred to the Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry in June 1917; promoted Lieut. 1 July and Acting Capt. 23 Aug. 1917; returned to France in Sept.1916 taking an active part in the Battle of the Somme; proceeded to Italy in Nov. 1917 and died at No. 24 Casualty Clearing Station 17 June 1918, from wounds received in action on the 15th of that month. Buried in the Communal Cemetery Extension, Montecchio, Precalcino. His Commanding Officer, Lieut.-Col. Bartlett, wrote: “I have lost a good comrade and a most gallant officer, whom it is impossible to replace,” and the Chaplain: “Capt. Allan was one of the best men in the battle from every point of view, and was greatly respected by his fellow officers and men.” He was awarded the M.C. for conspicuous courage and ability, coolness and initiative. Capt. Allan had a brilliant scholastic career. He graduated at the Glasgow University M.A. and B.Sc.
Glasgow University information: Archibald Allan was born on the 31st December 1889, in Shettleston, Lanarkshire. He was the son of the Reverend James and Mary Allan, nee Muir, living in Shettleston, Lanarkshire. Archibald came to Glasgow University in September 1908 and graduated MA on the 22nd November 1913, and also BSc in Agriculture on the 22nd June 1914. His home address during this time was listed as 5 Huntly Terrace, Shettleston, Lanarkshire.
The London Gazette, dated 28th December 1915, reports that Private Archibald Allan, from The Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders, was to be commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), dated 23rd December 1915.
2nd Lieutenant Archibald Allan was awarded the Military Cross (MC) on the 25th May 1917. The citation read:
2nd Lt. Archibald Allan, Sco. R., attd. Ox. & Bucks. L.I.
“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He led his platoon with great courage and initiative. On one occasion his coolness in dealing with an enemy strong point was largely responsible for the success of the operation.”
Subsequently, Archibald Allan was promoted to Lieutenant and then Captain while serving with the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. Captain Archibald Allan died of his wounds on the 17th June 1918, and is buried in the village of Montecchio Precalcino Communal Cemetery extension, some 10 miles north of Vicenza, Italy. He was 28 years of age. He is also commemorated on the Carntyne Old Church memorial, which is now housed in Shettleston New Parish Church, in the east end of Glasgow.
Soldier’s Effects information: Rev. James Allan.
1901 census information:
Address: Manse, 5 Huntly Terrace, Shettleston.
Father: James (42) Minister Carntyne UFCH, born about 1859 in Rutherglen.
Mother: Mary (42) born about 1859 in Rutherglen.
Self: Archibald (11) born about 1890 in Shettleston.
Sister: Bessie W (8) born about 1893 in Shettleston.
Sister: Maggie W (5) born about 1896 in Tollcross.
Commemorated on the family headstone in Rutherglen Cemetery.
