Trafford

Born during the June quarter 1913 in the Prescott R.D. - ref: 8b/1450, the
only son of John James & Jemima Elten Alcock (nee Reedy).

In 1911 his parents resided at 28 Albert Street, Banbury, Oxfordshire which
is possibly where Jack was born.  His father was a 35 year old Brewer's
Clerk.  They had one daughter - Edith Marion Alcock born in 1907.

1921 Census - Convent of Mercy and Boarding Schools, Oxford Road, Abingdon,
Berkshire,    Boarder - aged;7 years 11 months - Pupil - born: Banbury,
Oxfordshire.   His parents resided at 5, Berrymoor, Banbury, Neithrop,
Oxfordshire.  His father employed as a Cashire at P.S. Alcock, Motor Works,
High Street, Brackley, Oxfordshire.

Educated at Northampton Grammar School and Salesian College, Battersea,
London.

He enlisted in the Coldstream Guards on the 24th October 1932 and remained
with them untl the 23rd October 1936 when he joined the Cheshire
Constabulary.

1939 National Registration - 13 Alexander Drive, Altrincham.   John P.
Alcock - Single - born on the 30th June 1913 - occ: Police Constable.  Army
'B' Reserve Coldstream Guardsman No. 2655780.   This address was Lodging or
Boarding House run by widow Sarah E. Brady.

On the 1st December 1939 he joined the Military Police, being transferred
into the R.A.F. on the 30th June 1941.  He was sent to Brough near Hull at
No. 4 E.F.T.S. and continued his training at Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada
and for advanced training at Alabama, U.S.A. 

His parents were residing at 3 Horse Fair, Banbury, Oxfordshire.

Married Dosie M. Harper on the 30th November 1942 at the Holy Trinity P.C.
Paddington, London.   The marriage being registered during the December
quarter 1942 in the Paddington R.D. - ref: 1a/32.   Jack gave his address
as 8 Colville Gardens, London W.11.   Jack & Dosie produced two children.

He received his 'Wings' on the 5th August 1942 and was Gazetted to the rank
of Pilot Officer.  He was posted to No.5 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit at
Ternhill, Shropshire for further training.  On the 14th March 1944 he was
posted to Farnborough for a Navigation Course and then posted to No. 161
Squadron on the 20th March 1944.

John was piloting a Lysander Mk IIIA No. V9758 MW-D, when he took off from
RAF Tempsford at 21.32 hrs on a S.O.E. (Special Operations Executive)
mission to Pirouge, France.  The a/c was shot down (possibly by a British
Mosquito), crashing near Messac in the Department of Ille-et-Villane, 32 Km
SSW of Rennes, France.   He was transporting an SOE Agent - Lucien
Germerau.  Lucien was a French Resistance Agent and the Director of the
Chateauroux sector of the "Raseau Ecarlate (Scarlet network) and was
returning to France after visiting London on the 8th July 1944.   When
found in the wreckage, Lucien was carrying a Identity Card No.316 issued on
the 28th September 1943 in the name of Lucien Pradier by the Mayor of
Honfleur.   He was buried in the next plot  to Jack Alcock.

Strangely, I cannot find any reference to John in 161 Sqn O.R.Bs in August
1944.   

CWGC - Husband of Dosie Margaret Alcock of Stevenage, Hertfordshire.

Much of the above has come from Jack's nephew - Tom O'Rafferty, Ontario,
Canada via a website.

Commemorated on the Cheshire Constabulary War Memorial and in their War
Memorial Book.