Stanley James Allen was born in Thame in 1912 the son of Thomas Charles Allen and Annie Caroline (nee Waghorn) of High Street, Thame, who later moved to 29 Horton Avenue. In 1939 Stanley married Beryl Irene Jones in Cheltenham and they lived in Little Shurdington, near Cheltenham.

Stanley joined the 7th Battalion, Oxon and Bucks Light Infantry when it was formed in 1940 and served with A company through their conflicts. The Battalion sailed with the 56th London Division in July 1942 to join the 8th Army in the North Africa and Italy campaigns.

During the fighting following the Battle of Monte Camino west of Salerno in Italy, Stanley was awarded the Military Medal,

“for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in command of his platoon in a forward position west of Salerno. Sergeant Allen’s platoon held the road through a defile on September 15th. A reconnaissance unit reported the approach of German tanks and infantry, and he laid a mine trap across the road. The German tanks and infantry developed strong attacks against this vital position. Sergeant Allen, disregarding his own safety, handled his platoon with such skill and determination that all attacks were driven back and a large number of Germans killed. Sergeant Allen’s dogged courage and personal example ensured that the road was barred to the enemy.”

Unfortunately Sergeant Allen was killed in the actions that followed on 12th November 1943.

5379224 Sergeant Stanley Allen MM is buried in Naples War Cemetery, Italy. He is remembered in Thame on the War Memorial and on the memorial board in St Mary’s Church