Derek Arthur Allen

A Flying Officer with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Derek died on 15th of February 1943 aged 23.

Derek was born at Lowestoft on 4 June 1920, a son of Arthur and Agnes May Allen. He was baptised at Saint Peter's Church, Oulton Broad, on 18 July 1920 and his family lived at Dyke House, Oulton Broad. In 1921 their address was Bridge Road, Oulton, and later they lived at Saint Elms, Beccles Road, Oulton Broad.  

Derek was commissioned as a Pilot Officer on 10 December 1941 and Flying Officer on 1 October 1942. By February 1943 he was a Pilot serving with 155 Squadron. On 28 January 1943 he was flying a Mohawk IV fighter on a sortie to Taungup. The aircraft engine seized. Derek bailed out but was not seen again. The date of his death, given in various records, seems to have been the date on which it was accepted that he must have been killed. 

WITH THANKS TO: Malcolm Barrass