Albert Medal 2nd Class in Bronze, Front
Albert Medal 2nd Class in Bronze, Obverse
Photo : K. Buckland. Private Collection 1999
Chris White has submitted the following:
John Thomas Allan was born in County Durham and lived with his wife and family in South Shields on the River Tyne. His father, also named John, was a blacksmith.
Donkeyman John Allan signed on Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessel Mixol ship number 139159, on the 18th October 1916. His service number was MMR M.M.R. No. 942760.
He was awarded the Albert Medal on the 16th September 1918 when he gallantly 'Mixol'. The citation for the award says: -
As the RFA 'Mixol' was dropping alongside to fuel one of HM Battle Cruisers on the 19th June 1918, the Able Seaman slipped and fell overboard between the 'Mixol' and the Cruiser; 'Mixol' was only about ten feet clear of the Cruiser, and was closing at the time.
Donkeyman John Allan, who was standing on the fore well deck of 'Mixol', saw the man fall and that he was struggling in the water. Although it was clear that the man in the water was in imminent danger of being crushed between the two ships, Allan at once jumped overboard in the clothes he was wearing to save him. He assisted the Able Seaman to keep afloat until a rope was thrown, which he gave to him, the Able Seaman being hauled on board before Allan took the rope himself. The ship was in an open anchorage, and the temperature of the water was 50º.
John Allan signed off RFA 'Mixol' on the 10th August 1919 and was posted to HMS Eaglet at Liverpool.
He died on the 29th December 1936 and is buried in Harton Cemetery, South Shields - in an unmarked grave No: 10708. This is a common grave and he is buried with a number of others.
The Albert Medal was withdrawn in 1971 and replaced with the George Cross.
John Thomas Allan is remembered on our List of Ships’ crews
History of RFA Mixol
Naval History Net
Royal Fleet Association