Charles Peter Allen

Major Charles Peter Allen, PC (2 December 1861 – 18 September 1930) was an English Liberal politician who represented Stroud from 1900 to 1918. His professional career was as a solicitor and newspaper journalist. He served his country during World War I, as a major in the Gloucestershire Regiment, and as a sportsman played international rugby for Wales.

Personal history Charles Peter Allen was born in 1861 in Prestwich, Lancashire to Peter Allen, the manager of the Manchester Guardian and part owner of the Manchester Evening News. A younger brother was the Liberal politician Arthur Acland Allen. In 1865 the family moved to Beaumaris on the Isle of Anglesey in Wales, when they rented a property. The family purchased a house in the town in 1873. While in Constantinople he met Evelina Barker and the two were married in the city in 1890, before returning to live in Beaumaris. They had five children, four daughters and a son.

In 1900 he became Member of Parliament for Stroud, and he and his family moved to the area. While an MP, Allen was made a Privy Councillor, and was appointed a deputy lieutenant of Gloucestershire in 1911. He retained his position as MP until 1918. Allen had been a member of the 5th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment in the Territorial Force prior to the outbreak of war, and at the age of 53 he became a full-time soldier, helping to raise the 2/5th Gloucesters. Posted to France as a captain, he became a Town Major, dealing with troop movements. Allen was reselected for the next game of the tournament, in a home game to Scotland. Wales lost the game, and Allen was replaced for the final game by Cardiff's William Norton.

International matches played Wales 1884 1884