Sergeant Dudley Farquhar Allen, G.M., B.E.M., R.A.F.V.R.

[dbf]

Sergeant Dudley Farquhar Allen was awarded the George Medal in January, 1941.

In September, 1940, this airman was the turret gunner of an aircraft which crashed in dense mist. He was dazed by a heavy blow on the head, and his parachute harness was entangled in the seat. In spite of the fact that the aircraft was on fire he proceeded with great energy and resolution to extricate the unconscious bodies of three of the crew at the risk of his own life. Undeterred by the increasing intensity of the heat and fumes from the burning wreckage, and amid exploding ammunition, he tried to find the pilot, but was unsuccessful. He then removed the unconscious men to a safe distance.

Sergeant Allen was born in 1914, in Dublin, where his father still lives. He was educated at Skerries, Dublin, Drogheda Grammar School, and Rathmines School of Commerce. He was a commercial traveller before joining the R.A.F.V.R.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=7675091&queryType=1&resultcount =1

Name Allen, Dudley Farquhar
Rank: Serjeant
Service No: 960369
Regiment: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Theatre of Combat or Operation: Non-Combatant Gallantry
Award: The George Medal
Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 21 January 1941
Date 1941
Catalogue reference WO 373/66

Listed:
The Times, Wednesday, Jan 22, 1941

R.A.F. GALLANTRY
SERGEANT D.F. ALLEN, R.A.F.V.R.
In September, 1940, this airman was the turret gunner of an aircraft which crashed in dense mist; he was dazed by a heavy blow on the head and his parachute harness was entangled with the seat. Although the compartment door was jammed, Sergeant Allen succeeded in forcing his way out of the wreckage, and in spite of the fact that the aircraft was on fire he proceeded with great energy and resolution to extricate three of the crew, who were unconscious, at the risk of his own life. Undeterred by the increasing heat and fumes from the burning wreckage, and amid exploding ammunition, he endeavoured to find the pilot, but was unsuccessful. Sergeant Allen removed the unconscious men to a safe distance from the flames before assistance arrived. It was due to his efforts that the three men were not burnt with the aircraft, though unfortunately they subsequently died from the injuries sustained during the crash.

The Times, Monday, Jul 14, 1941

R.A.F. AWARDS
BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL
Sgt. D.F. ALLEN, G.M., R.A.F.
One evening in April an enemy aircraft dropped incendiary bombs on an aerodrome. One bomb fell into the cockpit of an aircraft on the ground and lodged beneath the seat and under the front of the fuselage petrol tank, in a position which prevented its removal. Allen attempted to extinguish the incendiary, but his efforts were unavailing, owing to its position. He therefore climed into the cockpit, and, although fully aware that the fuel tank was likely to explode at any moment, he applied fire extinguishers against the side of the tank and put soil on the incendiary until it was extinguished. At the time a large number of men were engaged in putting out other incendiaries near the aircraft. There is no doubt that Allen, by his initiative and gallant conduct in the face of extremely dangerous conditions, prevented many casualties which would certainly have occurred had the tank exploded.

See this thread for ref:
www.ww2talk.com/forum/research-material/19413-volunteers-eire-who-have-won-distinctions.html#post195852

[Peter Clare]

Posted in error

[Drew5233]

(May not be the correct man)

103 Squadron, Rheges

Battle. Forced-landed at Chalons engine badly damaged by flak during low-level attack on pontoon bridge near Abbeville 10.28am. Flying Officer R.D. Max hit in left knee. Sgt. D. Allen and LAC Dubois both wounded, admitted to hospital. Aircraft damaged but repairable-Later abandoned.

[Peter Clare]

28 May 1940

103 Squadron.
Battle I PM-
Battle area.

Crew.
F/O. R D. Max inj.
Sgt. D. Allen inj
AC1. Dubois

Took off Rheges / St-Lucien Ferme. Forced landed and left to its fate.

BCL Vol.1 W R. Chorley.