Allen James Bastable

Story:
Allen (sometimes known as Allan) James Bastable was born in Dameren, Fordingbridge, Hampshire, on 5th Nov 1895 the son of Hugh Bastable and Ada Jane Bastable (nee Foster).  He lived his early life in Dameren and later in Woodcutts, Sixpenny Handley, Dorset, from where he enlisted in the Royal Navy as a Boy Class 3 on 5 Nov 1913 (Service No. J. 13017).  He served in many ships and shore establishments and eventually was promoted to Chief Petty Officer.  At the end of hostilities he was awarded the Victory and British War Medals along with the 1914/1915 Star.  He remained in the Navy until retiring on pension on 2 Nov 1935,  He had married Alice Price in Lanchester, Durham, during 1920 and by 1938 was living at 9 Myddelton Square, London, E.C.1.  The 1939 Register shows him at 54 - 64 Broadway, Westminster, London, working as a Watchman in the War Office (M.I.6).   He had moved to 25 Dartford Road, Bexley, Kent, where his death was recorded on 18 Dec 1969.   His brother, Arthur Cecil Bastable, had also served for a short period before being discharged as medically unfit and he died in 1919.