Alan Albert Pollock

Sub-Lieutenant Alan Albert Pollock served in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve during the Second World War. He was the son of Albert Thomas Pollock and Gwendoline Alice Pollock of Stevenage, Hertfordshire, England.

In civilian life, Alan attended Alleynes School, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, England where he was Head Boy, chairman of the literary and debating societies and secretary of the scientific society. He also had an interest in drama and once played Father Christmas in a production of ‘A Christmas Carol’. Alan was also a keen sportsman, captaining the school boxing team and he also took part in swimming, cricket, and football. On finishing school, he passed the civil service exam, joining his friend Eric Stanley in working at Adastral House.

In August 1941, Alan Albert Pollock joined the Fleet Air Arm as a leading aircraftman. He undertook pilot training in the United States of America and Canada. He received his commission on 9th June 1942 and was posted to No. 762 Naval Air Squadron at H.M.S. Heron, R.N.A.S. Yeovilton, Somerset, England. From there he undertook advanced training flying Sea Hurricanes. He was transferred to No. 893 Naval Air Squadron on 8th May 1943.

Sub-Lieutenant Pollock died on 5th January 1944 aged 23 years old while serving at H.M.S. Landrail, R.N.A.S. Machrihanish, Argyll and Bute, Scotland with No. 878 Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm. Pollock was the pilot on Stinson Reliant I FK914 of Eglinton Station Flight when it took off from H.M.S. Gannet, R.N.A.S. Eglinton, Eglinton, Co. Londonderry. The plane came down in poor weather conditions near Glenerin on the north-east side of Sawel Mountain, Co. Londonderry. All on board died as a result of the incident and heavy snow meant their bodies were not recovered until 29th January 1944.

Sub-Lieutenant Pollock’s grave is in Grave 8 of St. Canice’s Church of Ireland Churchyard, Eglinton, Co. Londonderry. His headstone bears the inscription: