Sergeant Harold Henry Allgood
By the time Harold Allgood was posted to 253 Squadron, on 28 September 1940, he could be considered to be an experienced pilot having already served with 85 Squadron in France.
Harold Henry Allgood was born in Cambridge in July 1915. His parents were James Allgood, a gardener, and Florence Greef Allgood (nee. Overton). He had two older brothers, Cyril and Edwin. Harold was educated at the Central School. On completing his education, in July 1931, he joined the RAF at Halton as an apprentice metal rigger that September.
Harold later volunteered for pilot training and was accepted in September 1938 but did not begin training until the following year. His training took place at No.11 Flying Training School at Shawbury, between September 1939 and April 1940.
Following his conversion to Hurricanes he was posted to No.85 Squadron at Lille-Seclin in France on 14th May. Two days later, on the 16th, he was detailed to fly Hurricane L1898 (apparently unserviceable and due for repair) to Merville when he was shot down shortly after take-off, coming to rest north-west of Lille. It appears he was injured in the crash and did not move with the squadron to Debden on 21 May.
Allgood was reunited with 85 Squadron on 22 June at Martlesham Heath. He claimed a Me.109 on 11 August but later that day returned to base with a damaged aircraft following an engagement with a Me.110 whilst on convoy patrol off the east coast.
Later, he escaped unhurt from Hurricane P2827, when he crashed making a dusk landing on 9 September after the squadron had moved north to Church Fenton.
Allgood was posted to 253 Squadron at Kenley on 28th September. By this stage of the Battle of Britain, No.253 had a significant number of Sergeant Pilots and their commander was a Flight Lieutenant as Acting Squadron Leader, indicating the intensity of the fighting during the previous 30 days; with three squadron leaders killed or wounded during this period.
Allgood flew regularly with the squadron during October, until on the 10th his Hurricane crashed in unexplained circumstances into Albion Place, Maidstone (See linked article below).
Rest in peace Sir and thank you for your service.
Rest in peace gentlemen.
No Comments
Add a comment about this page