Service of Commemoration Pilot Officer John L Allen DFC

A Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving
for the Life of
Pilot Officer John Lawrence Allen DFC
(1916 – 24/7/40)
Saturday, 24th July 2010

2.30pm
Canterbury Christ Church University
Broadstairs Campus
Northwood Road
Broadstairs
CT10 2WA

ALL WELCOME
Tel 01843 609120 for further information

The University’s Chaplain, Revd Dr Jeremy Law will conduct the service to honour John L Allen, in the courtyard of the Broadstairs Campus at 2.30pm on Saturday 24th July. All are welcome to attend and join together in the service of remembrance. Refreshments will follow in the Allen building where attendees will be able to view a small display of documents on John Allen’s life as a WW II pilot. Pilot Officer John L Allen DFC, who has a University building at the Broadstairs Campus named after him,flew with the 54 Squadron and received his DFC (Distinguished Flying Cross) from King George VI only a few weeks before his death. He is also credited with the 54 Squadrons first claim of the war when he shot down a Ju88 in the Dunkirk area on 21st May 1940.
John L Allen’s Spitfire was the first RAF aircraft brought down in Thanet during the Battle of Britain, when on 24th July 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 R6812 had suffered engine damage during combat with a ME 109, flown by renowned German fighter pilot Adolf Galland.
He is buried in a Commonwealth War Grave in Margate Cemetery. His funeral was reported in the Isle of Thanet Gazette on August 4th 1940, which also recorded funerals on the same day of another RAF pilot plus a German pilot, saying: “All three were buried with the homage due to gallant young men”.
Along with many others, John L Allen’s name can also be seen on the “The Battle of Britain Monument London”, first unveiled by Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall on the 18th September 2005. This memorial was built to recognise one of the key battles of World War II and to raise the awareness of its importance amongst subsequent generations.
The Broadstairs Campus will also host a public lecture on Thursday 7th October 2010 on the subject of the Battle of Britain. Military historian Mr Richard C Smith will discuss ‘Memories of the Battle of Britain’, which will include events over the Thanet skies during the Second World War and the role of RAF Manston.
The lecture will take place at the Canterbury Christ Church University’s Broadstairs Campus, Northwood Road, Broadstairs, CT10 2WA. It will start at 6pm and is open to all members of the public. Booking is required in advance.
To book a place and seek or to provide further information about John L Allen DFC
please contact Sharon Quy-Verlander Tel 01843 609120.