Introduction
Arthur Allen was born in 1894 at New Gretna, NJ. While serving with the United States Army in France during World War I, he volunteered to serve in America’s first tank unit, where he rose to the rank of sergeant, under the command of George S. Patton, who went on to fame during World War II.
After returning to New Jersey after the Armistice was signed, he married his wife Vesta in 1919. The Allen family purchased a home at 3167 Merriel Avenue in Camden NJ early in 1930. At the time he was managing an automobile dealership. He later worked as a district manager for the R.M. Hollingshead Corporation, which operated a chemical manufacturing plant in Camden NJ. Vesta Allen worked in the 1940s at the James A. Garfield Elementary School at 2825 Cramer Street in East Camden. This school was closed in the 1960s.
Arthur Allen passed away at home on April 27, 1950. He was buried at the New Gretna Methodist Church cemetery.
Arthur Allen Dies; Fought in War I In 1st Tank Unit
Camden Courier-Post —
Arthur Allen, 55, who was a member of the first American Tank Corps formed in War I, died Thursday night in his home, 3167 Merriel avenue, after an illness of a year.
Born in New Gretna, he had been a resident of Camden since 1930. For the last seven years he was a district manager of the R. M. Hollingshead Corp., four years of which were in New York and three in Camden.
Mr. Allen was one of 700 young soldiers who had been sent from the then Camp Dix, now Ft. Dix, to France, unattached to any outfit. They were to be used where needed.
Volunteered for Tanks
The tank corps was formed at Celchershod, France, after an army colonel, “Spike” Hennessey, had explained that the plan was to form such a unit and the colonel asked for volunteers for such service. Mr. Allen was one of the volunteers.
He was in action with the tanks in the Meuse-Argonne sector as a driver in the tank group commanded by Gen. George S. Patton. He served 14 months in France, was promoted to corporal and then to sergeant on the field of battle.
Member of Masons
Mr. Allen was a member of Camden Lodge 15, F.A.M. for 27 years, and also was a member of the American Legion and VFW posts in New Gretna.
Surviving are his widow, Vesta M., who is a teacher of the second grade in the Garfield public school; a son, Arthur Jr.; a brother, Harry Allen, New Gretna, and a granddaughter.
Friends may call at the Mason E. Bradley funeral home, 3303 Federal street, Saturday night. Masonic services will be held at 8 o’clock. Funeral services will be held Sunday at 2.30 p. m. in the New Gretna Methodist Church. The Rev. Everett N. Hunt, pastor of the Asbury Methodist Church, Camden, will officiate. Burial will be in the cemetery at the church. Pallbearers will be six veterans of War I who served with Mr. Allen in France.