David Allan (police officer)
Lieutenant-Colonel William David Allan OBE (4 November 1879 – 9 January 1961), known as David Allan, was a British soldier and police officer.
Allan was born in Elgin, Moray, Scotland. He was educated at Elgin Academy and Blundell's School and commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the 3rd (Morayshire) Volunteer Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders on 4 January 1902.[1] He transferred to the Regular Army, in the Black Watch, on 8 February 1902.[2] He served in the South African War and had been promoted Lieutenant by 1910.[3] On 20 June 1910, he became Adjutant (and temporary Captain) of the 10th (Cyclist) Battalion, Royal Scots (Territorial Force).[4] He was promoted Major in 1917. On 1 January 1919 he was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).[5]
Allan served as Chief Constable of Bootle from 1919 to 1920, and Chief Constable of Argyll from 1920 until 22 June 1927.[6][7] He was then appointed HM Inspector of Constabulary for Scotland.[8] He was promoted Lieutenant-Colonel in the Reserve of Officers on 27 March 1929.[9] On 1 December 1930 he was appointed one of the two HM Inspectors of Constabulary for England and Wales.[10][11]
On 8 June 1931 he became Assistant Commissioner "A" of the London Metropolitan Police, in charge of uniformed policing.[12][13] However, on 3 November 1931 he returned to the post of Inspector of Constabulary for England and Wales.[14] He retired on 31 August 1938.[15]
Allan married Eve Crozier; they had three sons. He died at his home in Elgin in 1961, aged 81.[16]
| Police appointments | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Unknown |
Chief Constable of Bootle 1919–1920 |
Succeeded by Unknown |
| Preceded by Unknown |
Chief Constable of Argyll 1920–1927 |
Succeeded by Unknown |
| Preceded by Arthur Ferguson |
HM Inspector of Constabulary for Scotland 1927–1930 |
Succeeded by Robert Maxwell Dudgeon |
| Preceded by Sir Leonard Dunning |
HM Inspector of Constabulary for England and Wales 1930–1931 |
Succeeded by Unknown |
| Preceded by Sir Trevor Bigham |
Assistant Commissioner "A", Metropolitan Police 1931 |
Succeeded by James Whitehead |
| Preceded by Unknown |
HM Inspector of Constabulary for England and Wales 1931–1938 |
Succeeded by Gordon Halland |
Footnotes
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 27393. p. 12. 3 January 1902. Retrieved 2007-11-21.
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 27404. p. 785. 7 February 1902. Retrieved 2007-11-21.
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 28421. p. 6979. 4 October 1910. Retrieved 2007-11-21.
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 28390. p. 4576. 28 June 1910. Retrieved 2007-11-21.
- ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 31097. p. 83. 31 December 1918. Retrieved 2007-11-21.
- ↑ "Assistant Commissioner of Police: Lieut.-Colonel W. D. Allan's Appointment", The Times, 21 May 1931
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 33276. p. 3289. 20 May 1927. Retrieved 2007-11-21.
- ↑ "Inspector of Constabulary for Scotland", The Times, 18 May 1927
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 33480. p. 2086. 26 March 1929. Retrieved 2007-11-21.
- ↑ "New Inspector of Constabulary", The Times, 5 September 1930
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 33666. p. 7687. 2 December 1930. Retrieved 2007-11-21.
- ↑ "New Assistant Commissioner at Scotland Yard", The Times, 9 June 1931
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 33725. p. 3837. 12 June 1931. Retrieved 2007-11-21.
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 33775. p. 7658. 27 November 1931. Retrieved 2007-11-21.
- ↑ "New Post for Head of Police College", The Times, 18 July 1938
- ↑ Obituary, The Times, 10 January 1961