The Airmen's Stories - F/Lt. G Allard

Geoffrey Allard was born in York on August 20th 1912. He attended the Priory Higher Grade School there and then joined the RAF at Halton on September 3rd 1929 as an aircraft apprentice. He passed out as an LAC Metal Rigger on August 19th 1932 and was posted to the maintenance staff at RAF College, Cranwell, remaining there until March 3rd 1936 when he went to 2 Armament Training Camp, North Coates.

Allard had applied for pilot training. He was selected in 1936 and on December 21st began his ab-initio course at 2 E&RFTS, Filton. He went on to 9 FTS, Thornaby on March 20th 1937, moved with the unit to Hullavington on July 9th, passed out as a Sergeant-Pilot on October 23rd and joined 87 Squadron at Debden.

On June 1st 1938 Allard was posted to 85 Squadron, then reforming with Gladiators at Debden. These were replaced by Hurricanes in September 1938. On September 9th 1939 the squadron flew to France but saw little action before the blitzkrieg began in May 1940. Between the 10th and 16th Allard is believed to have destroyed at least ten enemy aircraft but the loss of the squadron records meant that only two confirmed He111's (May 10th and 15th) were recognised. After heavy losses 85 was withdrawn to Debden on May 21st. Allard was awarded the DFM (gazetted 31st May 1940).

On July 8th he claimed a He111 destroyed, on the 9th another, on the 30th a shared Me110, on August 6th a shared Do17, on the 24th a Me109, on the 26th a Do215, on the 28th two Me109’s, on the 30th two He111’s, on the 31st a Me109 and on September 1st a Do17 and a Me109.

Allard was commissioned in August and in a squadron severely depleted by losses he was promoted to Acting Flight Lieutenant and given command of 'A' Flight. He was awarded a Bar to the DFM (gazetted 13th September 1940) and the DFC (gazetted 8th October 1940).

85 Squadron was withdrawn from Croydon in early September 1940 and sent north to rest. On November 6th the squadron moved to Gravesend and prepared for a night-fighting role. Conversion from Hurricanes to Havocs began in February 1941 back at Debden.

On March 13th Allard, with Pilot Officer WH Hodgson and Sergeant FR Walker-Smith as passengers, took off from Debden in a Havoc. Shortly afterwards the aircraft crashed at Mill Field Ley, just south of Wimbish. The three pilots were killed. It is believed that an insecurely-fastened nose panel flew off and jammed in the rudder, causing the aircraft to become uncontrollable.

His portrait was done by Eric Kennington (below left) and Cuthbert Orde (below right).

Allard is buried in Saffron Walden Borough Cemetery, Essex.