The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. H H Allgood

Harold Henry Allgood was born in Cambridge on 19th July 1915, the son of James Allgood and Florence Greef Allgood (nee Overton).

He was educated at the Central School there. He left in July 1931 and joined the RAF at Halton as an apprentice metal rigger in September.

He passed out as a Metal Rigger in August 1934. He had won the Barrington-Kennett trophy for swimming in 1932.

Allgood later volunteered for pilot training and was accepted on 13th September 1938 but did not begin training until 1939. He was at 11 FTS Shawbury from 25th September until 6th April 1940.

After converting to Hurricanes he was posted to 85 Squadron at Lille-Seclin in France on 14th May. Two days later, on the 16th, he was detailed to fly Hurricane L1898 (which appears to have been unserviceable and due for repair) to Merville when he was shot down shortly after take-off (possibly by Oberleutnant Bolz of 5/JG52) coming to rest north-west of Lille.

Allgood had a damaged collar bone and this explains why, when 85 Squadron was withdrawn to Debden on the 21st, Allgood was not with them.

He was officially reported back on 22nd June and rejoined 85 Squadron at Martlesham Heath in early July. On 11th August 1940 Allgood claimed a Me109 but the same day returned to base with his mainplane damaged by a Me110, engaged over a convoy off the east coast.

He escaped unhurt from Hurricane P2827 when he crashed making a dusk landing at Church Fenton on 9th September. Allgood was posted to 253 Squadron at Kenley on 28th September.

He was killed on 10th October when his aircraft, Hurricane L1928, fell out of formation and crashed into houses at Albion Place, Maidstone.

The aircraft hit No. 63 but cut through the two adjoining houses, Nos. 61 and 59. The Merlin engine was found in the cellar of No 59. Three women and five children were killed, from two families.

Both husbands were working away at the time. The civilians, all killed at 61 Albion Place, were buried at Maidstone Municipal Borough Cemetery.

Elizabeth Annie Wooding, age 49 of 4 Astley Street, wife of AE Wooding.

The following were children of the above:
Vera Margaret Wooding, age 18.
Brenda Naomi Wooding, age 14.
Mavis Patricia Wooding, age 12.
Sylvia Wooding, age 10.
Brian Wooding, age 6.

Doris Elizabeth Woods, age 29, wife of Charles H Woods.
Patricia Audrey Woods, age 7 months, daughter of the above.

*****************

The cause of the crash was never established but was probably oxygen failure.

Allgood is buried in St Mark's Burial Ground, Grantchester, Cambridge.

***********************************

His brother, F/Sgt. EA Allgood was killed in Liberator AM924 of 120 Squadron on 28th May 1942. The aircraft was operating from Stornoway and engaged on operations to the south of the Lofoten Islands, north Norway when it was engaged by several Me109s. The Liberator was badly damaged but outran its pursuers only to crash into the sea following the failure of a third engine.

Allgood, F/Sgt. J Culnane and Sgt. BF Smith were killed but four other crew were able to paddle their dinghy to Norway and escape via Sweden.

Allgood is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.