Alan was born on 4 July 1915 in Willesden to Oscar and Blanche née Fay. The family surname was changed from Berliner in 1913 by Alan’s grandfather Louis who was born in Poland. Alan’s father Oscar served as a Sergeant Major in the Royal Flying Corps as an aviation mechanic machinist after transferring from the British Army.

After Alan gained his degree he worked as a school teacher. In 1939 he was living at 29 Tanza Road, Hampstead listed as single and a schoolteacher. At the same address is Kathleen Jenkins who was working as a shop assistant. They both married later that year on 4 October in Hampstead Registry office. Their son Michael was born on 13 May 1941 in Newport, Wales.

Details of Alan’s service can be found on the link below.