Samuel Spiers Allan

Died of cardiac dilation on the 21/09/1917 at the 66th Casualty Clearing Station, Palestine

Samuel arrived in the Balkans on the 27/09/1915. His Regiment was part of the 74th (Yeomanry) Division. This formation was created during the war. On the 14/01/1917 the GOC Egyptian Expeditionary Force, Sir Edmund Allenby, gave orders for the reorganisation of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Dismounted Brigades of Yeomanry – at the time all were serving on Suez Canal defences – and for their conversion and re-designation as the 229th, 230th and 231st Infantry Brigades. These Brigades were then organised as a Division, which began to assemble on the 04/03/1917 near El Arish. It was, strictly, a Division of the Territorial Force. The Divisional artillery did not join until July 1917 by which time the Division had already taken part in its first action, the Second Battle of Gaza (17th - 19th April). The role of the Royal Army Medical Corps - The R.A.M.C. operated the army medical units and provided medical detachments for the units of infantry, artillery and other arms. The Corps was assisted in its work by voluntary help from the British Red Cross, St John's Ambulance, the Friends Ambulance Unit, the Voluntary Aid Detachments and hundreds of private and charitable ventures. The Territorial Mounted Brigade Field Ambulances of the Royal Army Medical Corps - Each Mounted Brigade contained three regiments of yeomanry; a battery of the Royal Horse Artillery; a Brigade Transport & Supply Column of the Army Service Corps; and a Field Ambulance. There were fourteen Mounted Brigades established as part of the Territorial Force in 1908. No additional brigades were created during the war, although each raised a second and third line reserve. See Directory for Samuel's brother-in-law Private Moses Sefton's page. Samuel's Next of Kin listed as his brother Mr Henry Allan of 15 Mauldslie St, Dundyvan Rd, Coatbridge. A huge thank you to Samuel's Great Nephew Pat Allan for information and photos including a forwarded letter from Samuel's Colonel to his sister, photo of Moses Sefton (brother-in-law), Samuel's brother George William and Samuel, photo of Moses, Samuel's sister Mary and their daughter Sarah Spiers Sefton and a photo of Samuel's brother George's tribute by his fellow workmen at the Union Tube Works (see photos). Samuel's personal effects included 3 broken watches and a Red Cross diary (see Service Records 5 and 6). Samuel is also remembered on the St. Augustine's Parish (book) Roll of Honour and at the Family Plot in New Monkland Churchyard Cemetery and a tribute to his younger brother George by his workmates (see photos). See photos for Samuel's Medal Index Card, his Newspaper clippings x 2, his CWGC Grave Registration x 2, his Headstone Report x 2, his Service Medals and Awards Rolls, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Royal Army Medical Corps Cap Badge and his Service Records x 9. Samuel's grave inscription reads "TILL HE COME". Finally, see photos for the 66th Casualty Clearing Station, Palestine where Samuel died, PHOTOS x 61 FROM THE 74th (YEOMANRY) DIVISION BOOK MARCH -OCTOBER 1917 and the 74th (Yeomanry) Division Order of Battle x 11 (the Division Samuel was with when he died).