Trafford

Born during the March quarter 1917 in the West Derby R.D. - ref: - 8b/528,
the younger son of Henry & Agnes Ann Close (nee Kettlewell).

As a 13 year old lad, Alan was a witness in a 1931 murder case in
Liverpool.  I am grateful to Mark Russell who has researched this murder
and sent me the following:-

In one of the most infamous crimes of the 20th century, Julia Wallace was
found brutally murdered in the front parlour of her home in the Anfield
area of Liverpool. Her husband, William Herbert (an agent for the
Prudential) received a telephone message the previous night (19th January
1931) to call on a prospective client by the mysterious name of R.M.
Qualtrough at an address in the Allerton area of Liverpool. On the evening
of the 20th January Wallace went in search of the address but found that
neither address nor client existed. On his return, he found Julia
bludgeoned to death.

13 year-old Alan Croxton Close was born at 51 Sedley Street to Henry (who
was a master carter and dairyman) and Agnes Ann (nee Kettlewell). At the
time Alan was a pupil of the Liverpool Collegiate and worked delivering
milk for his father in the evening. Sometime between 6.30 and 6.45 Alan
delivered the milk to the home of Mrs Wallace. In fact, other than the
murderer, he was the last person to see her alive. After handing him back
the empty milk can Mrs Wallace told him to run along home out of the cold.

See -
http://inacityliving.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/the-wallace-murder-case.html

Alan married Daphne Edith Warren at St. Paul's P.C., Sale on the 15th March
1940 [during the March quarter 1940 in the Bucklow R.D. - ref: 8a/693].  
Marriage reported in the 28/06/40 edition of the local newspaper.    They
resided at 3 Baxter Road, Sale.

A Pilot with 6 years service in the RAF.

His death certificate states that he died on the 19th June and the cause of
death - "Air Combat with Enemy".   It was issued from the R.A.F. Station -
Sutton Bridge, Marsland, Kings Lynn, Norfolk.

He died at Terrington, St. Clements, Norfolk (just west of Kings Lynn,
south of The Wash).

Flying with 23 Sqn he took off as the pilot of a Blenheim Mark If - call
sign 'S' for a night patrol.   23 Sqn was stationed at RAF Collyweston,
Northamptonshire, from 31 st May 1940.   They were shot down early am
(which means he was killed on the 19th, not the 18th CWGC states the 18th).
   His buddy - LAC Lawrence Robert Karasek, baled out and survived the
crash, but was killed in action, three months later on the 25th September
1940.

At the beginning of WW2, 23 Squadron undertook shipping protection and
intruder missions in a night-fighter role.

From the BoB Memorial website - http://www.bbm.org.uk/Karasek.htm

Laurence Robert Karasek joined the RAF about July 1939 as a direct-entry
Airman u/t Observer. He completed his training and was posted to 23
Squadron at Collyweston. It is unclear when his posting took effect but it
must have been prior to the 18th June 1940 as he was in action that night
when the Luftwaffe mounted one of the first substantial night raids across
an area stretching from the Thames to the Humber estuaries. 

The Luftwaffe force was composed of aircraft KG4 and KG27. The raiders
approaching the Wash were from KG4 stationed at Merville and Lille-Roubaix.
Their targets were RAF Mildenhall, RAF Honington and RAF Marham.

An element of He111's from KG4 crossed the Norfolk coast near Wells and No
23 Squadron Blenheims were ordered to engage. From their standing patrol,
Sergeant Close with his gunner, LAC Karasek, headed east in Blenheim L1458
(coded YP-S) and intercepted a He111 in the vicinity of King’s Lynn.

Caught in a searchlight beam, it seemed an easy prey. However, to get
within range to fire, Sergeant Close was also caught in the beam and hit by
return fire as he engaged the bomber. Close was fatally
wounded by the burst of gunfire that shattered the cockpit.

Karasek managed to bale out just before ground impact and both were rushed
to sick quarters at nearby RAF Sutton Bridge where Close was officially
pronounced dead.

C.W. Clough & Son were the funeral directors and they arranged to collect
his remains from Sale railway station on the 21st June.

Buried 22/06/1940 - Burial No. 22995.

His death was reported in the 28/06/1940 edition of the Sale & Altrincham
Guardian which included a photograph of him.