A REDEDICATION SERVICE FOR FLYING OFFICER DEREK HURLSTONE ALLEN DFC POIX-DU-NORD COMMUNAL CEMETERY AND EXTENSION 20 JULY 2012
Flying Officer Derek Hurlstone Allen DFC Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross 31 May 1940 London Gazette: This officer has taken part in all combats with Flight Lieutenant R H A Lee, following his section leader with great loyalty. In May 1940, he took part in shooting down a Junkers, and the next day another enemy aircraft of the same type. On the latter day, after his aircraft had been severely damaged by anti-aircraft fire, he did not hesitate to attack with vigour and determination a Junkers 89 over enemy occupied territory and shot it down.
ORDER OF SERVICE Conducted by The Revd Dr (Sqn Ldr) Andrew W Wakeham-Dawson (Staff Chaplain to Chaplain-in-Chief) THE BIDDING PRAYER We have come together, family, friends, representatives of Her Majesty the Queen and the Royal Air Force, to give thanks for the life of Derek Hurlstone Allen who died here in his Hurricane aircraft on 18 May 1940: As we remember his life, devotion and sacrifices, we continue to commend Derek into the everlasting arms of God. Almighty God, you judge us with infinite mercy and justice and love everything you have made. In your mercy turn the darkness of death into the dawn of new life, and the sorrow of parting into the joy of heaven; through our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen. PSALM 23 The Lord is my shepherd therefore can I lack nothing. He shall feed me in a green pasture: and lead me forth beside the waters of comfort. He shall convert my soul: and bring me forth In the paths of righteousness, for his name s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me, they rod and thy staff comfort me. Thou shalt prepare a table before me against them that trouble me: thou hast anointed my head with oil, and my cup shall be full. But thy loving kindness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
THE FIRST READING THE SECOND READING Read by Air Commodore John Maas RAF (Defence Attaché, British Embassy Paris) High Flight Read by Mr Richard Allen (Brother) The Soldier Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; Sunward I ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth Of sun-split clouds and done a hundred things You have not dreamed of wheeled and soared and swung High in the sunlit silence. Hov ring there I ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung My eager craft through footless halls of air. Up, up the long delirious, burning blue, I ve topped the windswept heights with easy grace Where never lark, or even eagle flew And, while with silent lifting mind I ve trod The high untresspassed sanctity of space, Put out my hand and touched the face of God. Pilot Officer Gillespie Magee No 412 Squadron, RCAF Killed 11 December 1941 If I should die, think only this of me: That there s some corner of a foreign field That is for ever England. There shall be In that rich earth a richer dust concealed; A dust whom England bore, shaped, made aware, Gave, once, her flowers to love, her ways to roam, A body of England s, breathing English air, Washed by the rivers, blest by suns of home. And think, this heart, all evil shed away, A pulse in the eternal mind, no less Gives somewhere back the thoughts by England given; Her sights and sounds; dreams happy as her day; And laughter, learnt of friends; and gentleness, In hearts at peace, under an English heaven. Rupert Brooke
THE ACT OF REMEMBRANCE Let us remember before God, and commend to his sure keeping those who have died for their country, those whom we knew and whose memory we treasure, and all who have lived and died in the service of humanity. They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them. Response: We will remember them. Last Post THE SILENCE (2 mins) Reveille [Wreath laying] Most merciful and ever-living God, We remember Derek and all those you have gathered From the storm of war into the peace of your presence: Grant that we, being faithful till death, May receive with them the crown of life that never fades, through Jesus Christ. Amen. THE PRAYERS Almighty God, we give thanks for Derek s life, for the grace and mercy he received from you, for all that was good in his life and for the memories we treasure today. We give thanks for his courage, devotion to duty and his sacrifice. Almighty God, from you alone come wisdom and understanding. We humbly ask you to bless and inspire the hearts and minds of those who bear the responsibility of government in every land, and especially our Queen and all those in authority under her. Give to them the vision of your truth and righteousness, and guide them to work together for justice and peace. Almighty Father, your love enfolds us in both life and death, we thank you for all the men and women who have served in the Royal Air Force and her allies, especially for those who gave their lives or health; for their families and all who have supported them. We thank you for their sacrifice, their loyalty, their commitment, their courage and their devotion to duty. Keep us, through their example, always loyal in our service; in danger calm, in conflict bold, in resolve undaunted and in success free of pride.
Almighty Father, we thank you for those whose lives were defended by the service of the Royal Air Force and her allies and offer our debt of gratitude for our own lives and liberty. We pray for all those who suffer as a result of war or conflict; for the injured, the wounded, the hurt and the bereaved; for the homeless and the refugee; for the fearful and the oppressed; for the prisoner and the vulnerable; for those who seek to bring relief and protection. FOR THE ROYAL AIR FORCE Almighty God, who has promised that they who wait upon thee shall renew their strength and mount with wings, as eagles; we commend to thy fatherly protection all who serve in the Royal Air Force. Uplift and support them in their endeavour, that they may be a safeguard unto our most gracious Sovereign Lady Queen Elizabeth, and a sure defence to our homeland, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. In praise, thanksgiving, remembrance and hope, we pray for the coming of God s Kingdom on earth in the world that Jesus taught us: THE LORD S PRAYER Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name; They kingdom come; They will be done; On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil, For thine is the kingdom, The power, and the glory, For ever and ever. Amen. THE BLESSING May God grant to the living, grace; to the departed, rest; to the Queen, Commonwealth, and all people, peace and concord; and to us and all his servants, life everlasting. And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you always. Amen.