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Operation: Unclear
Date: 20th June 1942 (Saturday)
Unit: No. 41 Squadron 9 Group (motto: 'Seek and Destroy')
Type: Spitfire Vb
Serial: AR426
Code: EB-?
Base: RAF Martlesham Heath, Suffolk
Location: RAF Breighton, Yorkshire
Pilot: F/O. John James Allen AUS/404842 RAAF Age 22. Killed
REASON FOR LOSS:
We are indebted to 'Aircraft Accidents In Yorkshire' for the brief details of this accident. The Australian Archives have not yet digitalised this loss so we are unable to expand on details. 'Fighter Command Losses' list him as being lost on the 20th July 1942 flying Spitfire AD356, however the loss from this date is that of Sgt. Reginald Connell Allan RAAF flying Spitfire AD356.
We welcome any further information on this loss.
The Operational Record Book from 460 Squadron states:
"A visiting Spitfire aircraft from Martlesham Heath and piloted by P/O. John Allen crashed in a field adjoining the aerodrome, P/O. Allen was killed immediately".
460 Squadron was a RAAF Bomber Command Squadron flying Wellingtons and later Lancasters. It is possible that perhaps he was visiting a relative but this is purely speculation. The Spitfire had been delivered to the Squadron just a week earlier on the 13th June.
Burial details:
F/O. John James Allen. Holme-Upon-Spalding Moor Churchyard (All Saints) Sec. A. Grave 1. Born on the 21st August 1919 at Charters Towers, Queensland, the son of Gerald Joseph and Rose Anne Allen, of Hughenden, North Queensland, Australia. Grave inscription reads: "Splendidly He Passed, The Great Sacrifice Made". Prior to service he worked at a trainee sheep station.
For further details our thanks to Aircraft Accidents In Yorkshire, Australian Archives and the following sources.
KTY 22.04.2019
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember
them. - Laurence
Binyon
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Last Modified: 20 March 2021, 10:51