Frank Rodgers Allen

A Civilian, Frank died on 10th of February 1942 at the age of 67. 

Frank was born at Stratford Saint Mary, Suffolk, in 1874, a son of James and Harriett Allen. In 1881 his family were living at 14 Magdalene Street, Norwich, and by 1891 at 45 Calvert Street, Norwich, and Frank worked as a draper's assistant. 

On 20 September 1898 Frank married Edith Gertrude Mansfield at a Baptist Church in Norwich. In 1901 they lived at 45 Havelock Road, Norwich, and Frank was a wholesale draper. By 1911 they were living at 169 Saint Margaret's Road, Lowestoft, and Frank was a travelling draper. By 1915 they were living at 27 Gladstone Cottages, Tonning Street, Lowestoft, and he worked as an assurance agent. During World War One their address was 24 Bruce Street, Lowestoft.   

From 1909 worked for Mr. Elkington of the North Suffolk Liberal Association compiling the register of electors for the Lowestoft area. 

Frank enlisted in the Army at Lowestoft on 9 February 1915. He was specially enlisted to serve with the Army Service Corps as a clerk. His service number was S/4/065082. On 21 May 1915 he was appointed Acting Sergeant and served with 204 D.A.S. On 2 June 1915 he arrived in the Mediterranean. On 27 July 1915 he was promoted to Acting Squadron Sergeant Major. Frank arrived at Salonika on 6 November 1915. He was promoted Squadron Sergeant Major on 1 September 1916. At the end of the war he was serving with the 27th Lines of Communication Supply Company. Frank returned to the U.K. on 18 Jun 1919. He was discharged to the Class Z Army Reserve on 16 July 1919. A medical board found that he had debility and he was granted a 30% disability pension. At a subsequent board he was diagnosed with neurasthenia and his disability pension was reduced as he was judged to have 20% disability. His address on discharge was 78 Portisfield Road, Norwich.

In 1921 Frank and Edith lived at 77 Portisfield Road, Norwich, and Frank worked as an assurance agent for Pearl Assurance at Lowestoft. 

By 1933, when Edith died, they were living at Kirkley. In 1939 Frank lived at 6 Pier Terrace with his children Sidney and Elsie and the 1939 Register shows Frank as 'incapacitated'. 

Frank was injured during an air raid and he died at the Lowestoft and North Suffolk Hospital.