Jean Allan giving an address at Holywood, Co. Down boarded the ill-fated S.S. Athenia from Belfast on 1st September 1939 along with her mother Margaret Allan.
Passenger on S.S. Athenia
Jean Allan departed from Belfast on the ill-fated S.S. Athenia on 1st September 1939 with her mother Margaret Allan. Her address given on boarding documents was that of her uncle Mr. H. Allan, Laurel Bank, Holywood, Co. Down and they appeared under a list of American and Canadian residents sailing in Tourist Cabin Class.
Jean and her mother had been holidaying in Belfast for five months. They were due to return home to Toronto, Ontario, Canada on 15th September 1939 but decided to take an earlier sailing owing to the impending situation across Europe.
Jean, aged 28 years old, survived the sinking, landing at Greenock, Renfrewshire, Scotland. On 5th September 1939, she was reported safe with fellow survivors at Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland.
Mr. H. Allan, Laurel Bank, Hollywood, received a telegram on Tuesday evening (5th September 1939) stating that Margaret and Jean Allan, two of his relatives who were on the Athenia had arrived in Glasgow uninjured but had lost all their belongings. They had been on a visit to Belfast and were returning to Toronto.