David Allen was from Kincardineshire in Scotland.  He was 27 when he formed part of the Crew that rescued the survivors of the Titanic.

He served with the Gordon Highlanders during the First World War and was a recipient of both the Distinguished Conduct Medal and the Military Medal.

On the 17th September 1922, David was serving aboard the Orontes when he was lost overboard at night while the ship lay at Tilbury Docks on the river Thames.  He body was recovered from the water the following day and it was found he had suffered severe head injuries, though the primary cause of death was drowning

He was buried in the parish church of Chadwell Saint Marys, Chelmsford.