On 8th April 1794 he joined the 2nd Battalion of 90th Regiment of Foot and served until 14th November 1795 (Ref WO12/9238 Muster Rolls). On 16th November 1795 he
joined the Portsmouth Division of marines (Ref
ADM158/94 transcript) which also records 9th
September1814 as the date of his being ‘set off the rolls’
because of asthma.
At least from 1st September 1803 on ‘Britannia’ until 23rd
October 1805 –including battle of Trafalgar (Ref ADM136/15996
transcripts and s/s photocopies). Earlier muster rolls not yet examined. On 22nd
February 1812 he was with ‘Victorious’ when it captured the
74 gun French ship ‘Rivoli’. He was at least 24 days on the
‘Pembroke’ from 1st January 1813 to February 1913 (Ref
transcript of ADM96/326)
Received £1.17s.8d prize money, the Naval General Service Medal with Trafalgar Clasp (note the comment ‘last day in’ against 24 th October
1805 on photocopy of original master roll, the absence presumably due to injury received
during battle) and medal with clasp for ‘Victorious’ with
‘Rivoli’.
application by him for an increase to his pension of £12 per
year. The application was refused. (Ref ADM6/322) transcript)
Portsmouth. A son, Jeremiah, born of the above marriage was christened on 4th April 1803 at St Mary’s Church, Portsea. A second marriage, date and place not yet found, occurred sometime before 9th
June 1814 to Elizabeth (nee Markham) of Darsham, Suffolk where
their first
child, Thomas, was born at Bushby (adjoining Thurnby),
Leicestershire. Elizabeth, this (second) wife is buried, as is
William, in the churchyard of St Luke'’ Parish Church,
Thurnby, Leics. William Allen died 20th August 1853 at Thurnby and was interred on 23rd
August. Elizabeth, his wife, (8 years younger) died 25th December 1874. There were eight children by this marriage. A photocopy of the headstone (not in situ of the grave) is shown. His very interesting life, during which he travelled and lived in many places started in Thurnby and ended in Thurnby.