T. W. Allen (co-operator)
Sir Thomas William Allen (6 February 1864 – 24 November 1943) was a British co-operator.[1] BiographyAllen was born in Abertillery, Monmouthshire, Wales. His father, Thomas Allen, was a Baptist minister.[2] After leaving school he worked for the Tillery Colliery office where he apprenticed in a grocery store. After completing his apprenticeship he began working for the Abertillery Co-operative Society which later merged with the Blaina Co-operative Industrial Society.[1] In 1893 Allen became general manager of the Blaina society.[3] In 1906 he became a director of the Co-operative Insurance Society and in 1910 became a director of the English Co-operative Wholesale Society, holding both positions until 1933.[3] In 1908 he served as President of Co-operative Congress. From 1929 to 1933 he was on the executive committee of the International Co-operative Alliance, serving as vice-president.[4] He was chairman of the Consumers' Council during the First World War and was knighted in 1919 for his wartime work.[3] He served as President of the English Co-operative Wholesale Society from 1929 to 1933. References
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