F/O Derek Hurlstone Allen May 1940
 

Re: F/O Derek Hurlstone Allen May 1940
 

Yesterday at Poix-du-Nord, France, the brother and family of Fg Off Derek Allen DFC gathered for the dedication of the newly named headstone to Derek Allen after the grave of the unknown aviator at Poix-du-Nord had been identified as that of Allen's. The moving ceremony was conducted by an RAF padre, with the Defence Attache from the Paris Embassy and an RAF bugler also present.

The ceremeny was followed immediately afterwards by the burial of an unknown pilot at nearby Neuvilly (Solesmes) CWGC cemetery. This was also attended by the Allen family. The remains of this unknown pilot had been discovered in the quest for Derek Allen, although that discovery had 'unlocked' the mystery of the grave of the unknown airman who was subsequently identified as Allen.

A very satisfactory outcome to research initiated some four years ago, albeit that a mystery of another RAF pilot has been created.

Whilst the 'missing llink' was found by AHB it might be worth mentioning that the catalyst to the work by AHB followed a great deal of work by private individuals (mostly contributors to this forum), including the tracing of next-of-kin, who co-operated to conduct a pro-active search for Derek Allen in the Neuvilly area. The fruits of that pro-active research was the re-active work by AHB in pulling out casualty reports (ordinarily 'closed' to researchers) to find the link that had been made possible by others.

Here is the RAF News link to the story:

http://www.raf.mod.uk/news/archive/m...-more-20072012

Again, one is led to suppose that all of this came about due to the 'discovery' by AHB of the facts of this case in their archives - but without acknowledging how this all came about, or what the catalyst for their 'discovery' actually was.

The main thing is that the family now know where derek lies. But......!!

Re: F/O Derek Hurlstone Allen May 1940
 

Andy,

As you have no doubt come to accept over the many years in which you have been actively engaged in such research, recognition by way of any public plaudits or even simple acknowledgement is rarely forthcoming. So you should take satisfaction for initiating this investigation (and others) from its eventual outcome which is, after all, the over-riding objective and something that I know you do. Given restraints of budgets and other finite resources, one can maybe fully understand and well appreciate the authorities' less than proactive stance in such matters. That said, my view is that there would be undoubted benefit in their adopting a much more collaborative approach and allowing limited/controlled access to official casualty files by accredited/approved civilian researchers who have extensive relevant knowledge and necessary experience to offer. I guarantee that the clear-up rate on 'Unknown' RAF burials would improve.

Keep at it,

Peter C

Re: F/O Derek Hurlstone Allen May 1940
 

A photograph of the newly erected headstone at Poix-du-Nord.

It would certainly be intriguing to have access to the casualty reports from whence the grave location of Allen was confirmed, or at least to be privy to the content of that specific report.

Re: F/O Derek Hurlstone Allen May 1940
 

Andy,

Given your work on this and other cases have not any of the next of kin traced asked the MOD/AHB for these documents (or at least extracts)? It seems to me it would be a tiny thing to do. I have had family members obtain extracts from casualty reports and captured Luftwaffe documentation (the much sought-after KE Reports) and they have then provided me with copies.

Getting a straight answer out of the AHB is trying at best. Without mentioning names some there have said "relatives only" while others have said "we don't have the documents in question" and later turns out they do.

Dave

Re: F/O Derek Hurlstone Allen May 1940
 

Dave

I think the information provided to the next of kin in this case was fairly non-specific; just that information was on file linking the burial at Poix-du-Nord to the Hurricane in which Allen was lost. I can only assume that this was either (a) in the casualty file for Allen following MREU investigations but had then been missed or never followed up/actioned, or, (b) in CWGC records relating to local information on the 1940 burial. If it was (b) then it is possibly the case that AHB picked up that information when trawling around after the Allen case was raised, and were then able to link the aircraft serial number that had been recorded in relation to the Poix-du-Nord grave to the serial number of the Hurricane in which Allen had been lost which, presumably, was in turn noted in the otherwise 'closed' casualty file for Derek Allen.

Maybe we will find out in due course.

Re: F/O Derek Hurlstone Allen May 1940
 

Re: F/O Derek Hurlstone Allen May 1940
 

Hello,

very interesting story! I have one little question. Does anyone know the date of birth of this pilot? I found only year - 1917.

Thanks!

Michal