Geoffrey Allard

Geoffrey "Sammy" Allard DFC, DFM & Bar (12 August 1912 – 13 March 1941) was a Royal Air Force (RAF) flying ace of the Second World War. He is credited with having shot down at least nineteen aircraft, with several more shared and unconfirmed.

Born in York, Allard joined the RAF in 1929 as an aircraft apprentice. Qualifying as a metal rigger when his training was complete, in 1936 he applied for pilot training. He became a sergeant pilot in October 1937 and was posted to No. 87 Squadron. At the time of the outbreak of the Second World War, he was serving with No. 85 Squadron which was subsequently sent to France. He flew Hawker Hurricane fighters extensively during the Battle of France, claiming several aerial victories. Briefly rested due to the hectic nature of the French campaign, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM) in recognition of his successes. The squadron was heavily engaged during the Battle of Britain and Allard destroyed a number of aircraft, for which he was awarded a Bar to his DFM, and, after his commissioning as a pilot officer, the Distinguished Flying Cross. He died in a flying accident on 13 March 1941.