Alan was made a 2nd Lt in April 1943 whilst working for the Intelligence Corps. (Published in the 25 May 1943 London Gazette).

Entered Service From: WEYBRIDGE, SURREY, UNITED KINGDOM

Previously, he had served in the Royal Armoured Corps - which explains his 'tankers' uniform in the photo.

Alan only joined the KOSB from the Border Regiment on the 1st of August 1944.

War Diary for 1st August 1944 states:

"A draft of 3 Offrs and 100 ORs chiefly from the Border Regt. arrived."

"On the afternoon of the 1st August we received a warning to prepare for a long move. Reinforcements of three officers and one hundred other ranks appeared and the day was fully occupied in sorting them out and in preparation for another battle. The Quartermaster's Department was working at full pressure to replace clothing and equipment, both sadly depleted by the events of July".

WIG Wilson, A Short History of the 1st Bttn KOSB in North West Europe

Extract below from Beyond Radio interview with Geoff Hogg (6th Border Regt/1st KOSB) - published 12th June 2025.

Full interview here

"After the 6th Border Regiment was disbanded, Geoff was seconded to the 1st Battalion KOSB.

On August 6 they successfully occupied Montisanger without opposition. However, later that day, two companies attempted another attack on positions south of a river near Pissot. They reached their first objective and pushed on but against heavy opposition, with many men killed, wounded or missing.

On the following day, patrols were sent out and reported enemy still occupying the position of the previous day while a later patrol reported no enemy in a wood nearby.

On this day, Geoff was out on a reconnaissance mission in a platoon with Lt. Alan McQueen Don.

Lt. Don said to Geoff: "You will have to help me through this as I’ve had no infantry training." *[Lt Don was in Intelligence and the Royal Armoured Corps previously]

Geoff stayed very close to him after that.

They came across a gap in the hedge and Lt Don was about to cross the gap but Geoff held him back saying there could be snipers about - but Lt Don said “I will just have a quick look."

As soon as he did a sniper shot him through the head and he fell backwards on to Geoff.

They carried his body to a shallow ditch and wanted to make a cross for him with a rifle - but being an officer he only had a sidearm which they left with him.

Lt. Don has no known grave and was never found.

He is remembered at Bayeux War Cemetery.

-*-

Extract from War Diary on date of death: 

Patrols were sent out and reported enemy still occupying position of previous day.

Enemy shelling and mortaring of Bn area occurred at midday.

A later patrol reported no enemy in wood 684335.

Further shelling and mortar fire occurred later in the day. One casualty.

Bn left for conc area after advance party from the Suffolk Regt arrived, and the take over was done Coy by Coy.

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