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Allen, John Laurence

    Date of death:
    July 24th, 1940
    Buried on:
    Commonwealth War Graves Margate Cemetery
    Plot: 50. Grave: 15936.
    Service number:
    70008
    Nationality:
    British (1801-present, Kingdom)

    Biography

    On July 24 1940, at the age of 24, he died when his plane stalled and crash landed into a substation in Omer Avenue, Cliftonville. He was attempting to reach RAF Manston after his Spitfire had suffered engine damage during combat with renowned German fighter pilot, Adolf Galland.
    A memorial service took place at Canterbury Christ Church University's Broadstairs Campus on Saturday, 24 July, 2010 to commemorate Allen.

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    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Pilot Officer
    Unit:
    No. 54 Squadron, Royal Air Force
    Awarded on:
    June 11th, 1940
    Citation:
    "In May 1940, this officer was detailed to intercept an enemy raider approaching this country. He proceeded as far as Dunkerque and between that place and Calais on his return journey, he observed thirty Junkers 88's engaged in bombing Calais. Although alone, he climbed to attack an badly damaged one enemy aircraft, whereupon the remainder of the formation disappeared in the clouds. Two days later, in company with a second aircraft, he escorted a trainer aircraft to Calais Marck aerodrome, for the purpose of rescuing a squadron commander who had been shot down there. The trainer aircraft was attacked by twelve Messerschmitt 109's whilst taking off after the rescue, but Pilot Officer Allen in company with the other escorting aircraft immediately engaged these forces. Three of the enemy aircraft were shot down and a further three badly damaged."

    London Gazette dated 11th June 1940.
    Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

    Sources

    Photo