On the 9th July 1943 the then Sergeant John Duncan Whyte Allen, born in Canada May 1908, was awarded the George Medal in recognition of conspicuous gallantry in carrying out hazardous work in a very brave manner. This was awarded for "saving a life in a rock-climbing accident in Gibraltar". Miraculously, he 'lassoed' a fallen climber at great risk to himself and hauled him to safety.
He had previously been Mentioned in Despatches whilst a Lance Sergeant for "gallant and distinguished services in successful combined operations against the enemy at Vaagso and Maaloy." Sadly, there are no details of John's life post 1949, with his death year not known, and neither the location. His last known address being 152 Redland Road in Bristol in 1949. At the time he was married with 5 children born between 1938 and 1945 at Colchester in Essex. Any help to establish his life's detail post 1949 would be most appreciated. Claims of his death occurring in Liskeard Cornwall in 1976 are likely to be false. Bob Lee