Allan signed up for the Navy on his 18th birthday and two weeks later was posted to Skegness for training.
He became a radio mechanic and as part of his training, undertook a radar course on the Isle of Man and wireless telegraphy in Hampshire.
His ship, the HMS Swale, saw action sinking two submarines. For his efforts using radar to locate the submarines, on 17th February 1949 Allan was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal.