Cmdre T W McAllen CBE

1950 - 1953

Aboard Llangibby Castle 1944

Reading pre-invasion notes from Eisenhower. Left to right: Ship Adj. Capt G.S. McKay, O.C. Ship Lt. Col. P.L.M. Battye, Ship's Master Capt  T.W. McAllen, Maj. A.W. Gregory (Regina Rifles), and Chief Officer J.P. Aplin

In 1950 Captain McAllen became the Commodore master of the Union-Castle Line.   One of the most popular master's both with passengers and crew his career at sea was all that a seaman could wish for.

In 1944 he took over command from Captain Williams of "Llangibby Castle" and was master throughout the Normandy "D" day landings in which the "Llangibby" played an important and hazardous part.

Captain McAllen was a great friend of my father, (Captain C.S.G. Keen) who told me this story.   Captain McAllen was master of the "Edinburgh Castle" on her maiden voyage during which, whilst berthing in Cape Town in heavy weather she landed heavily and put a minor dent in one of the plates.   It was insignificant damage which would stay with the ship to the day she was scrapped - along with many other similar dents.

As was customary at the end of the voyage McAllen went to report to the Chairman, Sir Vernon Thompson and in passing mentioned the Cape Town incident.   My father met a very distressed Captain McAllen at Southampton station, he related how Vernon Thompson went into a fit of rage, McAllen was not sure that he still had a job with the Company.

Service Record

From

To

Hansa

4th Officer

1915


Warwick Castle

2nd Officer

1935


Stirling Castle

1st Officer

1936


Durban Castle

Chief Officer

9/1939

5/1940

Athlone Castle

Master

7/1940

8/1940

Roxburgh Castle

Master

8/1940

11/1940

Llanstephan Castle

Master

11/1940

1/1941

Dromore Castle

Master

2/1941

12/1941

Mined & sunk

Gloucester Castle

Master

1/1942

5/1942

Roslin Castle

Master

6/1942

2/1944

Llangibby Castle

Master

5/1944

5/1945

Dunnottar Castle

Master

5/1945

8/1945

Llangibby Castle

Master

10/1945

12/1946

Carnarvon Castle

Master

4/1947

1/1948

Warwick Castle

Master

1/1948

5/1948

Edinburgh Castle

Master

11/1948

12/1953

Retired

12/1953


Llangibby Castle

Master

6/1954

To breakers

Died

20 February 1957

Aged 67

Preparing for D Day Landings - 1944

Master of Edinburgh Castle

The master of Edinburgh Castle escorting King Neptune and his Queen to the Crossing the Line ceremony

Email from Angie Grimes 5th November 2009

I have managed to find myself on your web site after starting a family tree.  My Mother told me about a Great Uncle she was believed to of had who married a French Lady, they lived on the Channel Islands (Guernsey). Also that he was captain/commodore of the Union Castle Line.

To my surprise I came across T.W McAllen who you state knew and was a great friend of your Father.  I know this may just be a coincidence but maybe its not. If there is any more information you know we would be delighted to hear from you.

T. W. McAllen would be my Great Grandfathers Brother, Philip McAllen (who designed "Z" boats) and their sister Ellen McAllen.

Their Father and Grandfather where shipbuilders/carpenters Their Grandfather designed and built the royal cradle for Queen Victoria.

Thank you for your time.

Yours sincerely

Angie Grimes

Elevation to Commodore - 1950

Obituary - 1957

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