Current Information:

Age-25

Born-Eastbourne

Enlisted-Canterbury

The Great Retreat  of the British Amy finally came to an end on 5th September after thirteen days of continuous falling back whilst fighting rearguard actions from Mons in Belgium to the River Marne. Over the next four days the decisive Battle of the Marne took place and as a result the French army, assisted by the much smaller British Army forced the Germans back to the River Aisne.

On 8th  September, 1914, 2nd Division  crossed the Petit Morin river on both sides of Orly putting the Germans there in an precarious position. The 2nd Oxford & Buckingham Light Infantry of 5 Brigade turned west from Bécherelle and approached Orly from the east while 4 Brigade moved up behind the German position. This pincer movement and an artillery bombardment of the enemy forced their withdrawal. 2nd Oxford & Buckingham Light Infantry suffered some casualties during this action, one of whom was Arthur Allen.