Medal Bar of Flight Lieutenant Geoffrey Allard

‘Sammy’ Allard was an exceptional and highly popular pilot who destroyed at least ten German aircraft during the Battle of Britain.

Despite joining RAF Halton in 1929 as an aircraft apprentice, Allard fulfilled his ambition to become a pilot, flying Hurricanes with No. 85 Squadron. On one day during the Battle of France in May 1940 he flew four sorties and was so exhausted he had to be helped from the cockpit of his plane. In March 1941, after the rudder of his Douglas Havoc night fighter jammed, the aircraft crashed, killing all on board. Medals, from left to right: Distinguished Flying Cross, Distinguished Flying Medal and bar, 1939–1945 Star with Battle of Britain clasp, Air Crew Europe Star War Medal 1939–1945.