"Within the past few days West Calder district has sustained severe losses in the fighting which has taken place in France. In addition to those already referred to, information has just come to hand about the death of another local soldier. Mr and Mrs Allen, 5 Tay Street, West Calder, have received a letter from an officer at the front stating that their son, Pte Martin Allen, of the 1st Seaforth Highlanders, was killed in action on Sunday, 9th May. Pte Allen enlisted last September and after a period of training he was drafted to France. Previous to the war he worked as a miner in West Mains coal mine. Sympathy will be felt for the parents in the sad loss they have been called upon to bear."

Midlothian Advertiser, May 21, 1915

Note : On the West Calder memorial the name is recorded as Allan, as it is in Soldiers Died; in the Advertiser article and at the CWGC website he is called Allen - this can be confusing when searching records. Do not give up if you cannot find a name you are researching, simply try another spelling !