Lieutenant Colonel William Donald Allan, DSO was born November 25, 1879, the son of James D. Allan, of Toronto, Ontario, and the late Minnie C. Allan. He attended Harbord Collegiate in Toronto and was member of the Royal Canadian Yacht Club. In his civilian life he was a meteorologist.

Allan served in the First World War with the 3rd Battalion which he rose to command but unfortunately died later in England of wounds he had received at Langemarck and The Somme.

He is buried in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Toronto, Grave 11-27.

Military Service Record

• c. 1897 he joined the Queen’s Own Rifles probably as a rifleman (per WWI attestation papers)
• 5 June 1901 – Provisional Lieutenant
• 30 July 1901 – Gazetted 2nd Lieutenant
• 1910 – Captain of H Company during England trip
• September 1914 – he was a Captain when he attested for CEF at Valcartier
• 24 April 1915 – Slightly wounded
• 24 April 1915 – Promoted to Temporary Major
• 18 June 1915 – Colon infection
• 17 November 1915 – Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and appointed Commanding Officer 3rd Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF
• Awarded DSO – London Gazette 3.6.16
• 15 June 1916 – Wounded “at duty”
• 15 June 1916 – Recommended for gallantry and distinguished service in the field
• Mentioned in Despatches – London Gazette 15.6.16
• 1 September 1916 – Hospitalized with neuralgia and Influenza
• October 1, 1916 – Died of “an abscess on the brain”.
• First World War Service Record