French town seeks family of Birmingham wartime airman for commemoration

Aug 24 2009 by Jonny Greatrex, Birmingham Post

A French town is appealing for help finding relatives of a Birmingham airman killed when his Halifax bomber crashed in the Second World War.

Frederic George Allen, who was from Acocks Green and married to Mary Allen, died along with seven other men on October 23, 1942, near the town of Montcony, in Burgundy.

They were all members of 78 Squadron of the Fourth RAF group.

Sylvie Monin-Badey, of the Memories of Montcony group, is hoping to speak to relatives of Mr Allen before a commemorative service is held on October 25.

She said: “All eight were buried in Montcony’s cemetery. Each year we hold a memorial ceremony to value the sacrifice made by these young airmen.

“It would be very pleasant for me to receive any information.”

Anyone with information contact monin-badey@wanadoo.fr