Arthur Allan was born at Sunderland in 1908. He was married to Vera Allan and lived in Sunderland.
He went to sea as an apprentice, continued in the merchant service and rose to become Deptford’s second officer.
Arthur Allan was killed as a result of enemy action, by reason of a torpedo attack carried out on SS Deptford from U-38. He was 32.
A memorial service for him was held at the Missions to Seamen, Sunderland, on 21 January 1940.