Person Record
Metadata
Name |
Allen, Leigh Wilton |
Genealogy ID |
91258 |
Born |
02 FEB 1896 |
Birthplace |
Mansfield, Tioga PA |
Deceased |
31 DEC 1984 |
Deceased where |
Florida |
Cemetery |
Burial: Cremated, Ashes scattered at sea. |
Education |
Mansfield State Normal School Princeton University 1917 |
Occupation |
Actor Architect R. H. Macy and Co. |
Titles & honors |
World War One Sgt 30 May 1917 World War One Memorial Wall M.S.N.S. Honor Roll (Carontawan 1918 - 1208.msns.1918) 32nd degree Mason |
Military |
World War One |
Father |
Wilton W. Allen |
Mother |
Myra Baldwin |
Reference |
Obit SSDI Fl Death Military |
Notes |
Name:Leigh Wilton Allen Residence Age:38 Birth Date: abt 1896 Birth Place:Mansfield, Pennsylvania Residence Date:18 May 1934 Residence Place:Mansfield, Tioga, Pennsylvania Military Branch:Army Military Year:1917-1918 Military Age:21 Record Type:Service Card Florida Death Index Name:Leigh Wilton Allen Race:White Age at Death:88 Birth Date:2 Feb 1896 Death Date:31 Dec 1984 Death Place:Palm Beach, Florida, United States SSDI Name:Leigh Allen SSN:060-01-4755 Last Residence: 33401 West Palm Beach, Palm Beach, Florida, USA BORN:2 Feb 1896 Died:Dec 1984 State (Year) SSN issued:New York (Before 1951) Burial: Cremated, Ashes scattered at sea. Specifically: Ashes scattered off West Palm Beach, Florida FAG memorial # 119043820 Served 30 May 1917 - 21 July 1919 Served Overseas 14 Nov 1917 - 13 July 1919 ALLEN, Leigh Wilton [SRGP 91258] - Leigh Wilton Allen, a well-known resident of Palm Beach, died on New Year's Eve in St. Mary's Hospital. Mr. Allen, who was born in Mansfield, PA, in 1896, was graduated from Princeton in 1917, and served for two years in France with the U.S. Army. His acting ability, good looks and charm led him to Hollywood to play in a Myrna Loy film and the popular "Skippy" series. He then spent a season on Broadway appearing in light operettas, before launching his life-long career in architecture and design with R.H. Macy in New York. His expertise in that field resulted in his rapid rise to become vice president in charge of Macy's Antique Gallery, which has become famous throughout the world. Mr. Allen, who was a member of the Everglades Club, and a 32nd degree Mason, is survived by a niece, Mrs. Sylvia Milne of Morgantown, NC, and three nephews, Dr. John Doane of Winston-Salem, NC, Dr. Wilton Doane, of Santa Barbara, Calif., and Dr. Joseph Doane of West Palm Beach. Services will be private. - Palm Beach Daily News, Florida, 3 January 1985, p.5 Mansfield Advertiser, 4 December 1918, p.1 From Leigh Allen [SRGP 91258] -- The following is a letter from Sergeant Leigh Allen written from Tours, France, on October 24, 1918, to his sister, Miss Gertrude Allen: Dearest Sister: Am writing on paper which don's match the envelope - but can you imagine how much this tablet cost? Six francs and a half, or about a dollar and sixteen cents. Just imagine!! And it is the cheapest I can find. Writing paper in box form is not to be had for fifteen francs any more, so I will have to write on toilet paper, I guess. One might as well as to try to use the paper the YMCA has and they claim it is the best they can get. Well, we should worry, it can't last forever. I returned day before yesterday from a trip to the front to find your letter here for me. I went to the front on my truck to take some officers luggage, etc., to a certain division and bring back some German machine guns. About noon of the third day I reached a city which the Germans had recently held and it was a strange sight to see a deserted city, locked, barred, shuttered and closed in every way and yet trucks, motorcycles, touring cars, supply wagons, etc., rushing madly helter-skelter everywhere. The only ones on the streets were soldiers, all intent on their duties. The buildings in their closed condition, shattered in places, gave the strangest, most weird effect to the place imaginable. I felt as though I were in some lonely cavern, deserted for years, until it had become actually dead; then suddenly invaded with a Myriad of busy ants. I was wondering where I was going to eat when I saw a sign pointing to a Red Cross canteen and I made for it. Found it by the station and run by American women. They told me that they fed as high as 10,000 men in a day, and that during the German invasion only had they left their post. They are the only women in the town and the manual labor is done by old or retired French soldiers, who stay with them always. The Red Cross is doing a marvelous work in this war. We are all worried about the notes Germany seems to be trying to force from us about peace and hope they will cease at once. I wish you might know and see conditions as she has forced them on France and England. Am sure that would settle it once and for all. We feel as though Germany feels us the weak link in the chain and is trying to finish it thru us, but am confident that the notes will cease presently. But I've wandered from my trip. From this city I proceeded on toward the lines and some way out of the city began seeing graves which looked very new. I inquired of the traffic cops when these fellows had gone west and he said some of the graves, in fact most of them, were not more than three days old as the country there had not long been liberated. Poor, brave Americans! It makes one shudder to think of the sacrifice which must continue for perhaps a long while yet. Had it not been forbidden I believe I would have stopped to see what the regiments and divisions were. When I see these things it makes me very much dissatisfied to think I must stay here in the S.O.S. and not be making a bigger sacrifice. I finally caught up with the division to which I was going, as they were marching toward the lines. I delivered the boxes and received the guns. Brought one back and put it in the Amer. Exp. in storage for the lieutenant who took it. He took the machine gun and its whole crew and was so proud of the gun. He is such a fine young fellow, and I suppose he's right in the thick of it tonight. I stopped in Paris a few hours to see the flags and trophies being displayed about the streets in honor of the country already liberated. It seemed great to be in the city again, but I didn't stay long as I felt I should hurry here with the guns. Am writing this in the YMCA while waiting for the movies to begin. There had already been a reel on the Third Liberty Loan as it was launched in New York. Rather behind times now, isn't it? Loads of love to all from, LEIGH ----------------- --The following is a letter written from Tours, on November 10, 1918, to his parents: Dearest Folks at Home: What fairy tale like days are passing. Every day it seems as though something of the utmost importance happens, only to be followed by news of some greater occurrence. But luckily for us it all is for the Allies and peace, whether thru armistice or otherwise, is surely about here. The cute little letter from Grace was very interesting. If I only had more time I would write them a letter, but time is rather scarce, as usual. I suppose by now they are back home. Tom left yesterday to take charge of his company. I surely hated to have him leave and he was sorry to go, but we will have plenty of timer after we get back to renew our friendship. He is going to be a fine officer, I know. My gracious! The yelling going on outside is something fierce I suppose - some more startling news. Must go out and find out what it is. Hooray!! The Kaiser has abdicated. I can just imagine the wild excitement in the wild excitement in the States today, and I suppose that by tomorrow we will hear that they have accepted the armistice terms. I must stop and read the papers. Am so excited can think of nothing to write. Will try to write a real letter next time. Am keeping well as an ox. Nothing seems to faze me anymore. Love from, LEIGH |
Places of residence |
Mansfield, Tioga, PA 7 Feb 1934 Hollywood, CA New York, NY |
