Alan was born on 5 December 1921 in Islington, London to Polish born Joseph and Tilly née Orgel who was born in Devon. Alan had three sisters, Gladys who died aged six, Eileen and Ruby. The family surname was originally Wulkan.

In 1939, the family were living at 215 Chamberlayne Road, Willesden. Alan was working as an assistant sales manager and his father was a travelling sales manager. At the outbreak of war Joseph was placed on the male enemy alien list but was made exempt from internment in 1940.

While serving in 156 Squadron, Alan took part in the following operations:
20 October 1943 Leipzig
22 October 1943 Frankfurt
3 November 1943 Cologne
10 November 1943 Modane
18 November 1943 Berlin
2 December 1943 Berlin
16 December 1943 Berlin
20 December 1943 Frankfurt
23 December 1943 Berlin
29 December 1943 Berlin
1 January 1944 Berlin
2 January 1944 Berlin KIA

Alan was an air gunner on Lancaster JB553 which departed RAF Warboys on a night operation to Berlin. The aircraft was hit by flak and was lost without trace.

A/G, Leslie James Adair, RCAF R/133591

Pilot, James Borland, 157303

W/Op, Duncan Benjamin Grant Mackenzie, 991795

Pilot, Alexander Neill McGlashan, 110887

Nav, Vincent Robert Purmal, RCAF J/19506

F/E, John Simpson Scott, 1553200

A/B, Dennis Cyril George Snelling, 1389270