In Harry Patch's book "The Last Fighting Tommy", the author claims that Allingham planned to leave his body to medical science. In his own book, "Kitchener's Last Volunteer", Allingham confirmed that he was intending to leave his body to medical science. However he was persuaded by Denis Goodwin to change his mind, as he became a symbol of World War I to remind people of the sacrifices made during the conflict. To that end he agreed to a funeral and cremation.