Maj.
Hazlett Samuel Allison

Information about birth

Date of birth:
06/01/1894
Place of birth:
Madras, Madras Presidency, British Raj

General information

Profession:
Medical Student

Army information

Country:
Ireland
Force:
British Expeditionary Force
Rank:
Major
Service number:
/
Enlistment date:
08/08/1914
Units:
 —  Royal Irish Rifles, 7/8th Bn.  (Last known unit)

Information about death

Date of death:
09/08/1917
Place of death:
Frezenberg, Zonnebeke, Belgium
Cause of death:
Killed in action (K.I.A.)
Age:
23

Memorial

Distinctions and medals 4

1914-15 Star
Medal
British War Medal
Medal
Mentioned in Despatches
Honourable mentioning
Victory Medal
Medal

Points of interest 2

#1 Place of birth
#2 Place of death (approximate)

My story

On 7 August 1917 the 7th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (48th Brigade, 16th Division) marched to the frontline and relieved the 2nd Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers. D Comany was posioned on the left of the Ypres-Roulers Railway, near Frezenberg. The next they the Germans shelled the frontline during the whole day. They hit the battalion Headquarters, killing or wounding all the runners and observers. On 9 August 1917 Major Allison was killed, probably by a shell. He was buried near to the place were he was killed, but afterwards his body was never found. He is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres.
Major Allison was mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette, 4 Jan. 1917) for gallant and distinguised service in the field, the official record station: "Near Hulluch, on the night of 31 July - 1 Aug, he was in charge of an enterprise against the German trenches. Shortly after the return of his party, the enemy made a bombing attack on our saps. Capt. Allison immediately returned to the saps and organized a couter-attack, which not only drove off the Germans, but followed them up and bombed them back into their own trenches. Durin gthe past nine months Capt. Allison has repeatedly shown great courage and resource whilst leading petrols, and has set a splendid example to all ranks".

Sources 1

7 Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (The National Archives, KEW (TNA), WO 95/1975/2).
https://nationalarchives.gov.uk
Sources used

More information 3