Major-General William Allan

A History of the Services of the 41st (The Welch) Regiment by Lieutenant and Adjutant D.A.N. Lomax, published by Hiorns & Miller, Devonport in 1899.

(Appointed 23rd May, 1877)

William Allan entered the 41st Regiment as an ensign on 12th July, 1850, and received his lieutenancy on 11th November, 1853. He embarked with the 41st for the Crimea and served throughout the campaign, including the battle of the Alma, the repulse of the sortie of 26th October, 1854, the battle of Inkerman, the assaults on the Redan of 18th June and 8th September, 1855, and the siege and fall of Sevastopol. For his services in the campaign he received the English medal with three clasps and the Turkish medal, and was created a Knight of the Legion of Honour. He obtained his company on 25th December, 1854, and his majority on 18th April, 1865. On 23rd May, 1877, he succeeded Colonel Jordan in command of the 41st, and took the regiment to South Africa in 1881. He was succeeded in the command by Colonel Haydock, after thirty-two years’ continuous service in the 41st.

On the outbreak of hostilities in Egypt he was appointed to the command of the reserve depot in Alexandria; and on 19th December, 1882, received the command of the 21st Regimental District; on 2nd December, 1889, promoted major-general, and on 9th October, 1890, gazetted to the command in Cyprus.

In 1893, General Allan received the reward for distinguished service, and on 6th June, 1894, age compelled his retirement.

Battalion Order – Camp, Mooi River, 15th March 1882:

Colonel Allan regrets that circumstances oblige him to take leave and sever himself from the corps in which he has served for more than thirty-one years. In bidding farewell to the regiment whom he will always look upon as the old 41st, he wishes it every success. He thanks the officers, non-commissioned officers, and all for the ready support and willing assistance they have always given him in the duties connected with the Service generally, and the regiment in particular. This support and assistance have made his command during the last five years an easy task and a pleasure. To the men he expresses his thanks for the cordial and good spirit of discipline they have evinced in upholding the good character and name of the regiment, and the young soldiers for following the examples of their comrades in keeping up the well-known character of the regiment for smartness. Although obliged to retire and resign the honour of the command, Colonel Allan can never forget the regiment that has been his home almost from boyhood, and he will always watch its welfare with the deepest interest. He feels satisfied that if all continue to be animated with the same spirit, they will maintain the old traditions of the 41st wherever duty and fortune may lead them, and that should they be called on in the hour of need and danger to stand by their ‘colours,’ they will uphold the honour of England and the name of the Welch Regiment.