Edward James Allman’s birth was registered at Hawarden in 1897 (HAW/44/33) and his brother George Thomas 3 years later in 1900 (HAW/46/73).   They both appear on the 1901 census when they were living with their parents at Bretton Lodge, (next to Broughton Hall).   Their father George Allman, 29  had been born in Saighton, Chester and was a General Forest Labourer (Woodman), probably on the Broughton Hall Estate.   Their mother was referred to as Mary Ann on this census (she is Mary Jane on the 1911 one). She was 28 and had been born in Broughton, Flintshire. The listed children were  Edward James, 3 and Baby George 1.

The 1911 census sees the family still at Bretton, no proper address was given, but George stated he was an Estate Worker, so it seems likely that they hadn’t moved house.  George was 39 and his wife of 14 years was MaryJane. 4 children had been born to them and they were all living.   They were Edward, 13, George T, 11  Annie C. (I believe Annie Cassandra), 9 and baby Fanny,1.

UK, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919 accessible on www.ancestry.co.uk  confirms the regimental details above and tells us that his residence was in Bretton, Nr. Chester and that he enlisted at Shotton.  His British Army WWI Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920  also on ‘Ancestry’ details his medal entitlement.

I cannot find any Service Records for Edward James, but there is an index card for him in the Flintshire Roll of Honour at The County Record office in Hawarden.  His  Card,  (Saltney Ferry F1) tells  us that his period of Service was 3 and 1/2 years.  The card was signed by his brother G.T. Allman on the 13th January 1920.

Edward James’s brother was also in the war, but he survived.  His Flintshire WW1 Index Card is (Saltney Ferry L 2).  Allman, Geo. Thomas, Bretton, 11635  K.L. Regt.  It says he  had served since 29th April 1918.  The card was signed by E.L.Roberts on the 26th October 1919. (This man distributed and collected the cards in Saltney Ferry).