Educated at
Hutchesons' Grammar School in
Glasgow and the
Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, Allen joined the
Royal Navy in 1949. He became secretary to the
Naval Secretary in 1973, Fleet Supply Officer in 1975 and secretary to the
Controller of the Navy in 1978. He joined the staff of the Flag Officer, Naval Air Command in 1981 and became secretary to the
First Sea Lord in 1982 before becoming commanding officer of
HMS Cochrane in 1985. He was Chief Naval Supply and Secretariat Officer as well as
Defence Services Secretary from 1988 to 1991 when he retired. ==Personal life and death==