John William Allmark was born on the 19th February 1902 in Burslem, Staffordshire, to parents John William Allmark born 4th February 1881 and Nellie nee Hulstone born 3rd September 1882. His parents married on the 12th May 1901 at St. John's Church, Burslem, Staffordshire. 

John was known as William and was the eldest of six children all born in Burslem, Joseph born 13.09.1903, Minnie born 23.07.1906, Ada born 08.09.1908, Annie born 18.09.1910 and Charles born in 1918. 

The 1911 census shows 9 year old William living at 53 Reid Street, Burslem, Stoke-On-Trent with parents, John William Allmark (30) a Potter Presser, Nellie (28) and siblings Joseph (7), Minnie (4), Ada (2) and Annie 6 months. 

The 1921 census shows William aged 19 Years 4 Months, Single, working as a Colliery Pony Driver at Chatterley Whitfield Colliery Co, Tunstall. Living at 32 Hanover St, Burslem with parents John William Allmark, 40 Years 4 Months a Pottery Pressman. Nellie 38 Years 9 Months, Home Duties, siblings Joseph Allmark 17 Years 9 Months, Single, also working as a Colliery Pony Driver for Chatterley Whitfield Colliery Co, Tunstall, Minnie Allmark 14 Years 11 Months working as a Warehouse Girl at Doultons Potters, Ada Allmark 12 Years 9 Months, Annie Allmark 10 Years 9 Months and Charles Allmark aged 3 Years 1 Month. 

We found an article in the Sentinel Newspaper dated the 8th November 1920, although it isn't clear if it was John senior or William junior! 

A BET ON THE VALE. John William Alllmark, of 32, Hanover-Street, Burslem, and Peter McQuillan, of 36, Enoch-Street, Burslem, were summoned for fighting in Grange-Road, Burslem, on October 30th.-A constable said he found the couple engaged in a stand-up fight. McQuillan said they had had a five-bob bet" on the South Shields and Port Vale match, and Allmark would not pay up. Both men said only two blows were struck. They were fined 20s. each. 

John William Allmark married in 1927 at Stoke upon Trent, Staffordshire, to Rose Ford. In the 1921 census Rose Ford was working in a Pottery Warehouse (Glost) at this time she was living with her widowed Grandmother Elizabeth Durber, (67), Home Duties, her Uncle Joseph Durber (23) Single, working as an Underground Motorman Colliery. Both her parents Charles Ford (46) working as an Underground Fireman Colliery, Ann Ford (45), Home Duties and siblings Lily (17) Single, working as Pottery Warehouse Bisque for Messrs Doulton, May (14) in Education and Florrie Ford (10) also in Education.

Rose and William Allmark had their only son Roy in 1928, in the 1939 register his file is redacted.  

Between the 1921 census and 1939 most of William's siblings got married, Joseph Allmark married in 1930 in Stoke upon Trent, Staffordshire, to Millicent Tinsley. Minnie Allmark married in 1927 in Stoke upon Trent, Staffordshire to John West. Ada Allmark married in 1933 in Stoke upon Trent, Staffordshire, to Fred Robinson and Annie married in 1937, Newcastle-Under-Lyme, Staffordshire, to John T Gadd. 

The 1939 register shows John W Allmark and wife Rose living at 39 Elm Street, Burslem, William working as a Pottery Ware Carrier to Kiln at Royal Doulton Ltd also registered as ARP with a private firm, Rose working in the Potteries, her exact occupation is illegible. 

The Allmark family can be found in various locations around Burslem and Stoke on Trent, father John William was living at 92 Waterloo Road, Burslem working as a  Potter's Press Man, given he was one of 9 men in this accommodation we can assume it was a boarding house. John William Allmark died 1945 aged 64.

Mother Nellie Allmark meanwhile was living at 45 North Road, Cobridge as Unpaid House-Keeper for Leonard Booth born 29 July 1887, a Widow working as a Brick Burner Heavy Work, his daughter Florence Booth born 1st October 1920, Single, working as a Potters Presser. Nellie Allmark Married Leonard Booth in 1945. 

Joseph Allmark was found living at 13 Lower St, Burslem, working as a Colliery Ripper (Underground H W.) with his wife Millicent Allmark born 7th October 1903, she was working as a Charwoman. 

Minnie West was living at 32 Hanover St, Burslem, working as a Pottery Warehouse Woman, her husband John West born 10th July 1906, worked as a Colliery Hewer Heavy. Their son Barry West was born 21 August 1939. 

Ada Robinson was living at 201 Hamil Road, Burslem, working as a Draper's Assistant, her husband Fred Robinson born 20 December 1908 was a Grocer's Assistant.

Annie Gadd a Housewife Unpaid, was living at 4 Barker Street, Chesterton with her husband John T Gadd born19 March 1906, he was working as a Coal Hewer. John T Gadd died in 1944 and  Annie remarried Reginald Newell in 1945.

The location of Charles Allmark isn't known but he married Marjorie Woodcock in 1947. Charles died in 1967 - City General Hospital Stoke on Trent, aged 49 years old. 

From records we can build a picture of William's activities throughout the war beginning in 1939 where we can see that John W. Allmark volunteered as an ARP Warden whilst working for Royal Doulton, he is recorded as joining the forces in August 1941. From records we can see he was a Gunner in the 184 Heavy Anti Aircraft Z Regiment. The 184 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment did not exist as a standard regiment. Instead, the unit was formally known as 184 Z Battery, Royal Artillery (RA). Z Batteries were unique units armed with UP (Unrotated Projectile) rocket launchers, designed to supplement standard anti-aircraft guns. Unlike many other Z Regiments (which were usually manned by the Home Guard or ATS in the UK), the 184 Z Battery served as an independent mobile unit overseas. In May 1943 they were part of the 52 Anti-Aircraft Brigade at Bizerta, Tunisia, the sentinel newspaper states that John had served in Tunisia prior to his movement to Italy. In December 1943 the 184 Z Battery was attached to the 25 Anti-Aircraft Brigade and deployed to defend the crucial port of Bari in mainland Italy.

On the 7th April 1944 records show William died result of accident in Italy whilst serving with the British Army, Royal Artillery Regiment, Secondary Unit, 184 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment. 

According to the Army Casualty Lists, 1939-45 War; Reference: WO 417/74, on the same day as William was killed two other soldiers were reported killed in an accident.  The circumstances of the accident are unclear but three men from three different Regiments were killed. The Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, the 1st Bn The Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire) and the 184 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment. The other two men were;  

7642456 Serjeant William James Mayo, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, born in Southampton Hampshire on the 25th July 1910. In 1939 he was working as a Lorry Driver and lived at 121 Cannon Street, Southampton, Hampshire with his wife Laura E. Mayo born 7th August 1909. Unpaid Domestic Duties. 

Died 07.04.1944 aged 33 years old, buried at CASERTA WAR CEMETERY VI, A, 18. Italy. 

Son of William P. and Eliza Mayo, of Southampton; husband of Laura Evelyn Mayo, of Millbrook, Southampton.. DUTY NOBLY DONE WITH SWEET MEMORIES LEFT BEHIND. LOVING WIFE LAURA. 

The second soldier being  3860878 Lance Corporal Colin Williamson, 1st Bn The Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire), born 13th January 1914 in Stoke on Trent. In 1939 he was single working as Painter & Decorator & Savager, his Civil Defense Role Auxiliary Fireman. He was living with his parents Percy J Williamson Railway Telegraph Clerk and Hannah Williamson, Unpaid domestic at 20 Palatine Ave, Lancaster. Colin married Margaret Laggan McFarlane on the 29th April 1942 at Carfin, Lanarkshire, Scotland. 

He died 07 April 1944 Age 30 years old he is buried at BARI WAR CEMETERY XV. A. 20.Italy.

Son of Percy J. and Hannah Williamson; husband of Margaret Williamson, of Newarthill, Lanarkshire. MAY HE SLEEP IN PEACE. IN OUR HEARTS HE LIVES FOR EVER.

On April 25th 1944 the Sentinel Newspaper reported  

CASUALTIES

Death of Cobridge Gunner.

Notification has been received by relatives of the death, while in action overseas of Gunner J. W. Allmark, whose home address is 3, Elm-Street, Cobridge. Aged 42, Gunner Allmark joined the Forces in August 1941. He took part in the Tunisian campaign and subsequently served in Italy. In civilian life he was employed by Messrs. Ltd.. Doulton and Company, Bursiem. Deep sympathy will be extended to his relatives.

Probate records. 

ALLMARK John William of 39 Elm-Street Cobridge Stoke-on-Trent died 7 April 1944 on war service Administration (with Will) Manchester 20 October to Rose Allmark widow. Effects £537 13s. 10d.

He is buried at BARI WAR CEMETERY II. D. 40. Italy.

"INTO THY HANDS". FONDLY REMEMBERED BY HIS LOVING WIFE AND SON ROY.

For his service John William Allmark was entitled to The 1939-45 Star, The Italy Star, The Defense Medal and The War Medal 1939-45. 

He is remembered on the Royal Doulton Burslem Memorial and the Christ Church WW2 memorial Cobridge, Stoke on Trent. 

The following was published Saturday April 7th 1945. 

ALLMARK (Billy) -In loving memory of my dear son, killed on active service. April 7th, 1944 Too good in life to be forgotten in death-Remembered by Mother, brother Charlie (H.M.F.).

ALLMARK (Billy) - It is one year dear brother since God called you away, we think of you in silence though we are far away-Ada. Fred, Shirley..

ALLMARK.-Constant thoughts and loving memories of Will who died in Italy, April 7th, 1944. From Aunt Cassie and Uncle Tom.

ALLMARK. -Memories of Will. died of wounds. April 7th 1944. He sleeps with England's heroes in the watchful care of God - Mother-in-law, Father-in-law, and Joe.

ALLMARK-Loving memories of John William. died of wounds. April 7th. 1944, whilst serving in Italy:-Fondly remembered by loving wife Rose and son Roy

ALLMARK.-Treasured memories of our friend Bill who lost his life in Italy. April 7th. 1944-From J.m, Rachel and Barry.

ALLMARK (Billie) - Killed on active service April 7th. 1944. Too good in life to be forgotten in death.Remembered by sister Minnie, Jack, Donald.

ALLMARK.-Memories of Will, died April 7th 1944. Without farewell you fell asleep, so we are keeping memories Just as we saw you: last:-Lily: May, Florrie. Brothers-in-law, and Nephews.

Sentinel Newspaper 1947 

ALLMARK.-Treasured memories of Will, died April 7th. 1944. - From two who always remember, loving Wife and son Roy (M.E.L.F.).

ALLMARK.-Every day in some sweet way, memories of Will come our way, died April 7th, 1944.-From Sisters-in-law. Brothers-in-law, Dad. Joe and Nephews

IN MEMORIAM (1949 Sentinel Newspaper)

ALLMARK (Will).-At times when are lonely, your voice it seems to say. don't grieve. I'm still with you, to help you on your way.-Wife Rose and son Roy.

From these newspaper memorials we can see that brother Charles Allmark served in H.M.F. although no service records have been found as yet. 

Also Roy Allmark (M.E.L.F) In 1947 Roy was 19 years old and this M.E.L.F. probably stood for Middle East Land Forces which was the new name for the post-WWII British Army's Middle East Command. Headquartered in Egypt, the command oversaw troops in North Africa, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East, managing significant postwar demobilisation and strategic realignments. 

Sources

• https://www.freebmd.org.uk/cgi/information.pl?cite=KP3mgjKWX7AoKNKG0x87lg&scan=1
• The National Archives of the UK (TNA); Kew, Surrey, England; Census Returns of England and Wales, 1911
• The National Archives of the UK (TNA); Kew, Surrey, England; 1921 Census Returns; Reference: RG 15/12631, ED 17, Sch 210; Book: 12631
• General Register Office; United Kingdom; Volume: 6b; Page: 252
• The National Archives; Kew, London, England; 1939 Register; Reference: RG 101/5283G
• https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000347/19201108/059/0004
• https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000525/19440425/004/0001
• https://ra39-45.co.uk/units/field-regiments/183-field-regiment-ra 
• Commonwealth War Graves Commission; Author: Peter Singlehurst; Series Title: British Commonwealth War Graves Registers, 1914-1918; Archive Name: London, United Kingdom 
• The National Archives of the UK (TNA); Kew, Surrey, England; War Office: Roll of Honour, Second World War.; Publication Title: Army Roll of Honour 1939-45. Soldiers Died in World War Two. (WO304); Publication Format: CD Rom; Publisher: Naval & Military Press
• Principal Probate Registry; London, England; Calendar of the Grants of Probate and Letters of Administration made in the Probate Registries of the High Court of Justice in England
• WO423/1175791 National Archives.
• Archive Reference WO417/74
• https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000525/19490407/044/0002
• https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000525/19470405/056/0002
• https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000525/19450407/056/000
• The National Archives; London, England, UK;WO 417: Army Casualty Lists.1939-45 War; Reference; WO 417/74.