BORN FEBRUARY 16, 1918
DIED NOVEMBER 22, 1942 ON A BOMBING MISSION TO GERMANY
MIMICO, ONTARIO, CANADA
24 YEARS OLD
James McGregor Allan, a British citizen, was born in Aberdeen, Scotland and emigrated to Canada with his father and mother in 1922 when he was 4 years old. They settled in Mimico, a neighborhood in the southwest of Toronto, where James attended public schools. Two sisters were born in Ontario, Gertrude, and Gail. In 1934 after two years of high school, James was employed at Campbell’s Soups “working on filling machines”. He left for a better job as a warehouse worker at Roofers Supply Company from 1939-1940. His hobby was building model planes and his best sports were hockey and swimming although he occasionally boxed, played lacrosse and baseball. He was a reserve Royal Canadian Engineer.
His Royal Canadian Air Force interviewer described him as
“Splendid type of chap but lacks education. He is willing to work hard, very
keen and alert, good appearance, determined to make the grade and should
develop under training into good gunner material.” He was also “confident,
mature, and pleasant.” After completing Air Training, it was remarked James was
“Neat and mannerly, seems quite levelheaded. Has worked hard on course.” He received
his air gunner badge on December 6th, 1941. James overcame his lack
of formal education and made his way to Squadron 207.
The loss of their only son was hard on the Allan family.
James’ father died less than two years after his son.
Memorial Service - 80 Years Later
Promise to Lea
