Raymond John Allen was born on 21st May 1922, the only son of John Allen and Mabel Emma (née Wetherall) of 24 Chinnor Road*, Thame. He was baptized at St Mary’s Church on 9th July 1922. His father John was a postman.

Raymond joined the Army at the start of World War Two as a Private in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps (RAOC) and served with the 2 AA Division Workshop in Leicester.

On Saturday 7th December 1940, he was involved in an accident when the driver of the lorry in which he was travelling swerved to avoid a collision and Raymond and two others were thrown out. Raymond received injuries to his head from which he died at just 18 years of age.

7588611 Private Raymond John Allen, Royal Army Ordnance Corps, was buried in the family grave in St Mary’s churchyard on 12th December 1940. He is remembered in Thame on the War Memorial and on St Mary’s Church Memorial Board.

* Note on address:
Following various re-numbering post WW1 and again post WW2, 24 Chinnor Road became No. 85 Chinnor Road.