The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. L C Allton

Leslie Charles Allton was born in Nuneaton in 1920, the son of a coal miner. He attended King Edward VI Grammar School from 1931 to 1937, where he was Captain of the School.

After leaving school he was approached by Warwickshire County Cricket Club but he opted for a position at the Midland Bank at Athelstone.

On 22nd March 1939 Allton joined the RAFVR and began his weekend flying at 9 E&RFTS Ansty. He was called to full-time service on 1st September and on 7th October went to 2 FTS Brize Norton.

With his training completed, Allton went to 12 OTU Benson on 25th March 1940 to convert to Fairey Battles. He joined 98 Squadron in France on 18th May. After suffering heavy losses, the squadron was withdrawn to Gatwick on 10th June.

Allton was posted to 4 Ferry Pilots Pool at Kemble on 1st August 1940. He moved to 7 OTU Hawarden on 3rd September, converted to Spitfires and joined 266 Squadron on the 16th. He moved to 92 Squadron on the 30th.

He was killed on 19th October 1940 when 92 Squadron was ordered up to the Maidstone patrol line. His Spitfire R6922 was seen to fall out of the formation and enter a spiral dive before crashing at Tuesnoad Farm, Smarden, Kent. The cause was never discovered though oxygen failure was suspected.

Allton is buried in Oaston Road Cemetery in Nuneaton.