Cigarette case : Flying Officer J J Allen, 41 Squadron, RAF

Silver coloured cigarette case with decorative finish on the front and back. The case is hinged along the left side and opens by a spring clasp on the right. A band of blue elastic for securing the cigarettes is fastened across the inside of the right panel. The inside of the case has a chrome-plated finish. On the front of the case the initials 'J.J.A' are engraved in the top left corner. A small RAAF pilot's wings metal badge in silver, blue and red, adorns the lower right corner. The badge takes the form of a winged circle surmounted by a king's crown. The inner circle is blue and features the word 'RAAF' in stylised script.

Associated with the service of 404842 Flying Officer John James Allen. Allen was born in Charters Towers, Queensland in 1919. Prior to his military service, Allen worked as a Jackeroo in Queensland. He joined the Militia in 1939 serving with 26 Battalion and enlisted with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in December of 1940. Allen attained the rank of Flying Officer in March 1942 while attached to No.41 Squadron Royal Air Force (RAF) who were flying the famous Supermarine Spitfire. Flying Officer Allen was killed in an aircraft accident in Breighton, Yorkshire, England on 20 June 1942. He is buried at Holme-Upon-Spalding Moor (All Saints) Churchyard in Yorkshire.