The Brecon Radnor Express - 30th September 1915

Flying in the Dark. RADNORSHIRE AVIATOR'S EXPERIENCES.

Second-lieutenant and Flying Officer William Tom Lloyd Allcock, younger son of Councillor J. L. and Mrs Allcock, Bourne House, Knighton, has just paid a hurried visit to his home, and, in an interview with a correspondent, related some of his most exciting experiences as a young airman. On the outbreak of the war. Lieutenant Allcock came from Canada, and, in about twelve weeks he was awarded his pilot's certificate. He at once offered his services to the War Office, and, on June 5th he received his commission. On August 23rd he was gazetted as a flying officer (R.F.C.), and, on August 29th, he took his first trip in an aeroplane across the Channel. He rose after leaving Folkestone to his record height so far 110,000 feet, and landed at Boulogne in about twelve minutes.

       On one occasion, after flying over a part of London and leaving there rather late in the evening he lost his way. He made a, good landing at Pewsey. found his "bearings," ascended to about 100 feet, and continued his journey to Netherhaven, about ten miles, at this height. Here he. made a capital landing in the dark. One evening he was flying over the Metropolis, and, about four hours after he left there, the Huns arrived in their Zeppelins.

 

The Brecon Radnor Express - 21st October 1915

Fight in Mid-Air.

Knighton Man's Pluck. 

DRIVES OFF TWO GERMANS. Second-Lieutenant and flying officer William T. Lloyd-Allcock, Royal Flying Corps, Knighton, says a Welsh contemporary, has had some thrilling experiences at the front in France. On one occasion he met two German machines in the air, an "Albatross" coming up in front of him, and a monoplane in the rear. The fire from his observer's machine-gun must have been effective, as after a contest lasting some five minutes, the two enemy machines made off and went to ground, as they generally do when they come in contact with British airmen. When patrolling over our lines he could not get his machine (which he piloted for the first time) to climb above 2,500ft., and a 'drift' caused him to pass over the lines. As he approached the German trenches, the enemy opened fire with machine-guns and rifles. Some damage was done to his petrol tank, but he succeeded in getting away safely.

       All previous experiences were eclipsed last week when his duties took him some four miles behind the enemy lines on a cloudy and misty day. When at a height of 8,000ft., coming towards his own lines, there was a big explosion, a column of smoke rising to a height of 500ft. The Germans evidently thought a bomb from the British machine had caused the explosion, and they opened a severe shell fire. After he had just registered a shot from a battery, two shells burst simultaneously under the front part of his aeroplane, blowing his and his observer's cockpits to pieces. The engine was hit, bullets passed through his clothing, and splinters were flying in all directions, but, fortunately, he so far escaped serious injury only, as he put it, being 'touched' on the leg and arm. With great presence of mind, he put the nose of this machine down gradually until she was almost in a vertical position. Travelling at great speed he had just passed over the German lines when his machine caught fire. He made straight for home, and succeeded in making a landing in a ploughed field behind the British lines. Airman and observer had to be pulled from under the burning wreckage. Lieutenant Allcock was advised to take a flight the next day for the benefit of his nerves, and after bringing a new machine up from the base to the firing lines, he was granted a week's leave.

 

The Brecon Radnor Express - 21st October 1915

Second-Lieutenant W T Lloyd-Allcock (RFC) of Knighton, paid a visit to his old school at Whitton on the 11th inst. and received a hearty welcome from Mr D R Davies (headmaster) and the scholars.

 

The Brecon Radnor Express - 2nd March 1916

Knighton, Promotion. - CAPTAINCY FOR MR W. T. L. ALLCOCK.

We are pleased to announce that Mr W. T. L. Allcock, son of Mr and Mrs J. L. Allcock, Knighton, and of the Royal Flying Corps, has been promoted to the rank of captain.

 

The Brecon Radnor Express - 23rd November 1916

Knighton Airman's miraculous Escape, Capt. T. W. Allcock, Royal Flying Corps (younger son of Mr and Mrs J. L. Allcock, Knighton) recently met with an accident in France, which might have produced fatal results. It appears that during a practice over the flying grounds, something went wrong, and his machine suddenly descended. His right ankle was broken and his left was sprained and badly bruised. He also received bruises and cuts on other parts of' his body. The accident happened on the 13th inst., and Captain Allcock now lies in the military hospital at Boulogne, where he is making slow but satisfactory progress. His Major, writing to Mr Allcock, states that he is quite unable to understand how Capt. Allcock managed to escape with his life.

 

Western Mail - 11th June 1917       

KNIGHTON AVIATOR MISSING News was received at Knighton on Saturday that Captain William T. Lloyd-AlIcock. is missing after an air battle on the Western front. Captain Allcock is the son of Mr. .J. L. Allcock, vice-chairman of the Knighton Urban Council and at the outbreak of war, was in Canada. He gave up a good post in Winnipeg, and, on reaching home, went into training at a Hendon flying school, where he quickly qualified as a pilot, receiving his certificate while in his 'teens. He had, however, after one of several hairbreadth escapes, in which he sustained injury to his ankle, been in this country for some time, and only recently returned to France.

 

The Brecon Radnor Express - 14th June 1917

Knighton Airman Missing. CAPTAIN W. T. L. ALLCOCK'S NON RETURN. Sympathy is everywhere felt for Mr and Mrs J. L. Allcock, who received a telegram, on Saturday afternoon, to the effect that their younger son, Capt. W. T. L. Allcock, of the Royal Flying Corps, had been missing since the 5th inst. In a letter, dated June 4th (the last day his companions saw him), Capt. Allcock told his parents that he had been up that morning and had destroyed one of two enemy air balloons, which he had attacked. The letter contained expressions indicating that he was in the best of health and spirits at the time. In the absence of the C.O., who was on leave at the time, Rev. B. W. Keymer, chaplain to the Royal Flying Corps, made the following statements in his letter to Mr J. L. Allcock: I deeply regret the great lose we have sustained by Capt. Allcock's non-return. On Monday (June 4th) he was leading a patrol of our machines and three others in a most courageous and gallant way. In an attack, upon a greater number of enemy machines, he certainly brought down one Hun machine himself, and, when last seen, he was engaged in a fierce fight with other machines. If he were able to land safely, though in enemy territory, you will be the first to have news of him. He had, as you know, only been with us for a short time, but he had already won the admiration and respect of us all, as a most skilful, as well as a dashing and dauntless, pilot."

       At the service of the P.M. Church (conducted by Rev. E. E. W. Ramm) on Sunday morning, a vote of sympathy was accorded to Mr and Mrs Allcock and family in their sorrow, and a similar vote was passed at Victoria Road Church in the evening, the preacher being Prof. Owen, Carmarthen.

 

The Brecon Radnor Express - 27th September 1917

KNIGHTON. Mr J. L. Allcock received news from the War Office, on Saturday morning, to the effect that his younger son, Capt. W. T. L. Allcock R.F.C., who had been reported missing on June 5th was killed in action on that date. It will be remembered that, when Mr Allcock was last seen by his comrades, he was surrounded by hostile machines. Much sympathy is felt by a large circle of friends in this neighbourhood for Mr and Mrs Allcock and the other relatives.

 

Birmingham Daily Mail - 28th September 1917

Mr J. L. Allcock, Knighton, Radnorshire vice chairman of the Urban District Council, has received official intimation that his second son, Captain William T. L. Allcock, Royal Flying Corps, previously reported missing, has been killed in action. Captain Allcock completed his education at Bourne College, Birmingham, and then sailed for Canada. He was at Winnipeg when be decided to come home in January, 1915, to join the Army. He saw a great deal of active service and much severe fighting, on two occasions at least narrowly escaping death. A few months ago he was mentioned in Sir Douglas Haig's despatch, and had been complimented by superior officers for his many successful and daring flights. Captain Allcock was 20 years of age.

 

The Brecon Radnor Express - 18th October 1917

MR. and Mrs. J. L. ALLCOCK and family, Bourne House, Knighton, tender their deep gratitude to the numerous friends who have sent letters and other expressions of sympathy, during the time that Capt. W. T. L. Allcock (Royal Flying Corps), was reported "missing," and also, since the sad news of his death has been received.

 

Administration

William Thomas Lloyd Allcock of Bourne House, Knighton, Radnorshire, died 5th June 1917 at Douai in France.

Administration: Hereford, 22nd May to John Lloyd Allcock, grocer and provision dealer.

Effects: £309 18s 8d.

 

When Charles John Greenwood  Allcock, William's brother, died on April 12th 1932, William was remembered on his headstone.