Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research.
Allan Luff was born on 1st February 1884 in Dorking, Surrey to bricklayer Benjamin and Eliza Luff (nee Martin).
Allan’s father Benjamin was born in the 1st quarter of 1850 in Ockley, Surrey to agricultural labourer Henry, born about 1810 and Mary, both born about 1811 in Ockley. Benjamin was baptised on 31st March 1850 at Christ Church in Coldharbour by Dorking. His mother; Eliza Martin was born in 4th quarter of 1845 at Forest Row, East Grinstead, Sussex to butcher Frederick, born about 1808, and laundress Louisa, born about 1809, both at Forest Row. Prior to her marriage, Eliza was working as a laundress. Benjamin married Eliza in the 3rd quarter of 1879 in Dorking.
Allan had four known siblings: Herbert born in 1880; Olive Louisa born in 1882; Mary born in 1887 and Walter Edwin, born in 1888, all in Dorking.
At the time of the 1881 Census, the family lived at Orchard Road in Dorking and comprised of Benjamin, Eliza and their son Herbert. Benjamin was working as a bricklayer.
Allan was baptised on 25th May 1884 at St Paul’s church in Dorking.
At the time of the 1891 Census, the family lived at 61 Orchard Road. Benjamin was working as a bricklayer and Eliza was looking after their children Herbert, Olive Louisa, Allan, Mary and Walter Edwin.
Benjamin Luff was buried on 17th December 1892 at the Dorking Cemetery.
At the time of the 1901 Census, the widowed Eliza and her children: laundress Olive, gardener Allan and schoolchildren; Mary and Walter, lived at 45 Orchard Road in Dorking. Eliza was also working as a laundress.
Allan Luff enlisted on 10th October 1902 in Guildford, Surrey and became part of the 11th Battalion the Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment. He was a private with a registration number L/7211. At the time of the enlistment, Allan lived in Reading, Berkshire and his trade was stated to be a gardener.
In the 1st quarter of 1910, Allan married Rosalind Sarah Hayes in Wokingham, Berkshire. Rosalind was born in the 1st quarter of 1889 in Hungerford, Berkshire.
At the time of the 1911 Census, Allan and Rosalind lived at 15 Bishops Road in Reading. Allan was working as a railway porter. The accommodation had three rooms.
Allan and Rosalind had two daughters: Noel born in the 4th quarter of 1911 and Gertrude born in the 4th quarter of 1913 in Reading.
After re-enlistment he became part of British Expeditionary Force and was transferred into the 1st Battalion the Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment. His regimental number remained L/7211 and he was still a private.
Allan Luff disembarked on 12th August 1914 to the Western Theatre of War.
Allan Luff was killed in action on the 26th of September 1914 in France.
He is commemorated at the La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial in France.
Rosalind Luff received £3, 6s and 2d on 15th February 1915 and £5 on 18th July 1919 in Soldier’s Effects.
Allan Luff received the British War and Victory medals and the 1914 Star.
| Born | Dorking, Surrey | |
| Lived | Reading, Berks | |
| Son of | Benjamin Luff and Eliza Luff (nee Martin) | |
| Husband of | Rosalind Sarah Hayes | |
| Father of | Noel A. L. Luff and Gertrude E. M. Luff | |
| Enlisted | Guildford | |
| Regiment | 1st Battalion, Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment | |
| Number | L/7211 | |
| Date of Death | 26th September 1914 | |
| Place of Death | Killed in Action | |
| Cause of Death | France | |
| Age | 30 | |
| Memorial | La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial |
