Alan Otho's Story.
Alan’s parents were Edward Otho Glover and Minnie Mary Glover, formerly Heyder, of Frodsham, and he was born in Q4 1916. His birth was registered in the first part of 1917, and his mother’s maiden name was Heyder.
The family appear on the 1921 Census, where it shows that Edward Glover was the Manager of the Castner Kellner Alkali Company Works, aged 45. Later he would be appointed a Director of I.C.I., was Chairman of the Finance Committee for Cheshire County Council for many years, and finally became Chairman of Cheshire County Council between 1948-52.
The family lived at ‘The Bent’, which is now called ‘Bentwood House’, on Simon’s Lane, Frodsham. Alan had three older sisters (Wilhemina, Elinor and Ruth) and two younger brothers, Alexander and Peter. His school record shows that he left Shrewsbury School in 1934, and was a trainee at I.C.I., and that his brother and father had both attended the school. After leaving school Alan had gone to a commercial school in Lausanne, then joined I.C.I. in the Newcastle region, working in the sales department.
The family lived at ‘The Bent’, which is now called ‘Bentwood House’, on Simon’s Lane, Frodsham. Alan had three older sisters (Wilhemina, Elinor and Ruth) and two younger brothers, Alexander and Peter. His school record shows that he left Shrewsbury School in 1934, and was a trainee at I.C.I., and that his brother and father had both attended the school. After leaving school Alan had gone to a commercial school in Lausanne, then joined I.C.I. in the Newcastle region, working in the sales department.
He married Lilian Audrey Dainty in Q4 1938, only child of Dr Jabez and Mrs Maud Dainty of 8 Churchill Gardens, Newcastle on Tyne, in Newcastle upon Tyne, and they had a baby daughter, Diana, who was born in the summer of 1939.
In the 1939 Register, taken on Friday 29 September, Lilian was in her parents’ house with her daughter, a housekeeper and a housemaid. Alan Glover was commissioned as a pilot officer to the Auxiliary Air Force on 4 July 1937, and was promoted from being a pilot to Flying Officer rank on 4 January 1939, in 607 Squadron. His service number was 90286. He was based at Acklington in Northumberland, and on 29 October 1939, he was the pilot of a Gladiator 1 aircraft, serial number K7997. The notes in the record state that he lost control of the aircraft during aerobatic practice at Swarland Dene, five miles outside of Acklington; the engine stalled, causing the plane to spin, which then crashed to the ground. Alan was 22 years old when he died, and his death was registered in Northumberland.
In the 1939 Register, taken on Friday 29 September, Lilian was in her parents’ house with her daughter, a housekeeper and a housemaid. Alan Glover was commissioned as a pilot officer to the Auxiliary Air Force on 4 July 1937, and was promoted from being a pilot to Flying Officer rank on 4 January 1939, in 607 Squadron. His service number was 90286. He was based at Acklington in Northumberland, and on 29 October 1939, he was the pilot of a Gladiator 1 aircraft, serial number K7997. The notes in the record state that he lost control of the aircraft during aerobatic practice at Swarland Dene, five miles outside of Acklington; the engine stalled, causing the plane to spin, which then crashed to the ground. Alan was 22 years old when he died, and his death was registered in Northumberland.
The probate record gives his address at the date of death as being The Hirsel, Western Way, Darras Hall, Northumberland. Probate was granted on 30 January 1940 at Liverpool Registry to his widow Lilian Audrey Glover, effects £1389.
His funeral was held at St Lawrence’s Church on 3 November 1939, with full military honours, the coffin draped in a Union Jack flag. Rev. M.W. Myres took the service attended by two clergymen, one of whom, Rev. Christopher Cardale, was Alan Glover’s cousin. The cortege filed out of the church between two lines of airmen, and three volleys of shots were fired by RAF airmen over the grave.
Chester Chronicle 4 November, 1939.
Chester Chronicle 4 November, 1939.
His younger brother Midshipman Alexander John Glover was at the service, however within 8 months he too would perish in the service of his country.
The memorial stone reads:
“This porch was renovated in 1946 in memory of Alan Otho Glover, Flying Officer A.A.F. 607 Squadron, killed on active service October 29, 1939. And Alexander John Glover, Sub Lieut. R.N.V.R. (Dover Patrol) who lost his life while helping in the evacuation of the Army from Dunkirk, May 29, 1940.“
Alan’s grave is in the ‘New Churchyard’, grave reference NG/08/38. His brother’s name is also inscribed on the same memorial.
Research by Fiona Barry.
The memorial stone reads:
“This porch was renovated in 1946 in memory of Alan Otho Glover, Flying Officer A.A.F. 607 Squadron, killed on active service October 29, 1939. And Alexander John Glover, Sub Lieut. R.N.V.R. (Dover Patrol) who lost his life while helping in the evacuation of the Army from Dunkirk, May 29, 1940.“
Alan’s grave is in the ‘New Churchyard’, grave reference NG/08/38. His brother’s name is also inscribed on the same memorial.
Research by Fiona Barry.