Browse Items (75 total)
- Collection: Allen, Derrick
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Welcome letter from Secretary of State for Air
Welcome to the Royal Air Force and that selection for aircrew training is a great distinction. Explains how waiting list works and explains why he will have to wait. Encourages him to keep fit while waiting and to carry on with current job.
Two aircrew on a Lancaster engine
Two aircrew, one kneeling in front wearing a peaked cap, one standing behind on top of a Lancaster engine. Both are wearing battledress. Two propeller blades are visible. In the background a perimeter track and airfield. On the reverse 'F/Lt Evans,…
Trajectoire supposee du Lancater DV396B Du 467 Sqaudron Royal Austrailian Air Force
1:20,000 map showing the area to the west of Spa, Belgium with the possible track of Derrick Allen's Lancaster to the crash site near Vieux Pre marked in red. It is annotated with an arrow to Dusseldorf at the top and with figures 1 to 5. Captioned…
The Pilgrimage of an English airman who in 1944 came down in the Spa region
Recounts that Derrick Allen contacted a M Rudi Simon who lived in Tongess, Belgium through the Association of Veterans. M Simon was researching aircraft brought down in the local area. Derrick Allen had stated that he would like to visit the where…
The last flight of Lancaster DV396(B) - Derrick Allen
Derrick's account of being shot down 2/3 November 1944, after a successful attack on Dusseldorf, during which the Lancaster was severely damaged by a night fighter. He goes on to describe battle with FW 190 and and the order to abandon aircraft.…
The Homing Bomber
Poem written on RAF Waddington notepaper called The Homing Bomber. It describes a damaged bomber and its wounded crew making its way back to the UK.
Six aircrew in front of a Lancaster
Six aircrew in two rows, front three kneeling, rear three standing all wearing battledress. Derrick Allen is front row left. In the background the nose of a Lancaster on the left and a lorry on the right. Second photograph same as the first
Six aircrew
Formal portrait of six aircrew in two rows. Front row sitting, rear row standing, all in battledress. On the reverse 'Back row L to R, K Broch W/Op, Don Wills r/g, Bill Le[...], Front row L to R, W Mundy B/Aimr, K E J Tammel pilot, R [...] Nav'.
Silk escape map
Colour silk map of northern Europe covering Germany up to 13 degrees east as well as Holland, and parts of Belgium and France.
Seven aircrew in front of a Lancaster
Seven aircrew in two rows three kneeling in front and four standing behind. Derrick Allen is on the right of front row. Two in the centre of the back row are wearing peaked cap and remainder side caps. In the background part of the fuselage of a…
Seven aircrew and crew bus driver in front of a Lancaster
Five aircrew standing to the rear and two aircrew kneeling either side of an airwoman crew bus driver in front. All are wearing flying helmets. In the background part of a Lancaster fuselage with last squadron letter O and aircraft letter C.
Seven aircrew and a crew mascot in front of a Lancaster
Seven aircrew all wearing flying helmets in two rows. Five aircrew stand in the back row and two kneel either side of a airwoman crew mascot also wearing flying helmet in the centre of front row. In the background part of a Lancaster fuselage with…
Rear gunner
Rear turret of a Lancaster with aircrew sitting inside. The turret is pointing towards port side. The starboard tail plane is visible behind. On the reverse 'Rear Gunner'. Second photograph same as first. On the reverse 'F/Sgt Patton, rear gunner,…
Queen Elizabeth Queen Consort
Head and shoulders portrait of Queen Consort to King George VI, Queen Elizabeth wearing tiara and sleeveless dress and pearls.
Poem 'Spare a Thought', ticket to investiture at Buckingham palace, and Belgian bank notes
On the left a poem by Pte K R Hobbs (5th Northants Regt) entitled 'Spare a Thought' concerning mothers waiting in vain, Below ticket No 100 for entry of witness to investiture at Buckingham Palace. On the right, 20, 10 and 5 franc Belgian banknotes.
Perspex Lancaster components
Two perspex items, one of which is a navigation light cover.
Information on these items was kindly provided by the donor.
Information on these items was kindly provided by the donor.
Newspaper account of Derrick Allen's heroic actions leading to award of Conspicuous Gallantry Medal, congratulatory wedding telegrams and banknote
On the left a newspaper cutting with an account of how Derrick Allen freed the rear gunner from his jammed turret while his Lancaster was going down. On the right top and bottom, congratulatory wedding telegrams wishing future happiness. Between the…
Monument de la R.A.F. prés de l'empreinte de l'aviateur au Vieux-Pré à La Reid
Postcard with two photographs. The first captioned 'L'ARDENNE' show the front side of a stone memorial with a plaque to heroes of the RAF who fell 2 November 1944. In the background a three bar wooden fence, pasture and wooded hill. The second…
Map of La Reid area Belgium
Map of the area near La Reid, Belgium annotated to show the area of the farm at Vioux Pre near to Bois de la Reid.
Letters to Derrick Allen from the Caterpillar Club
First letter is a reply to Derrick Allen acknowledging his request to join the Caterpillar Club, welcoming him to the club and asking for further confirmatory information. It also states his club pin will be sent as soon as it is available. The…
Letter to Derrick Allen concerning details for investiture of Conspicuous Gallantry Medal
Gazetted on 6 March 1945, informs Derrick Allen that he will be awarded his medal by the King at an investiture at Buckingham palace on 12 March 1946. Goes on to discuss other relevant details concerned with investiture.
Lancaster DV396 crash site
Aircraft wreckage in the edge of a woods. Behind is a field and a road with a vehicle. In the background wooded hills. On the reverse '2-11-44, Lancaster B DV396, Ops Dusseldorf crash site at La Reid, Belgium'.
Lancaster DV396 crash site
Part of the fuselage of a Lancaster lying in a field. On the reverse '2-11-44, Lancaster B DV396, Operation Dusseldorf, crash site at La Reid, Belgium'.
Lancaster DV396 crash site
In both photographs a pile of aircraft wreckage lying in the middle of an open field. To its left a notice on a pole. In the background a forest. On the reverse of the first photograph '2-11-44 Lancaster B DV396, Ops Dusseldorf crash site at La Reid,…
interview with Derrick Allen's family
Derrick Allen was the mid-upper gunner on a Lancaster that crashed near Spa in Belgium. He had been making his way to bale out when the pilot asked him to help the rear gunner who was trapped in his turret. He managed to do this but the plane broke…