Trivia

A member of "The Crazy Gang" of popular WWII comedians. Partner to Bud Flanagan

In 1915 he enlisted in the 9th Lancers, was sent overseas and rode as a cavalry soldier. He was part of the mounted escort to the 14th Army Corps Commander, Lt. Gen. The Earl of Cavan. When the cavalry was reorganized into infantry, he saw service in Bapaume as a sergeant in the 10th Battalion Royal West Kents and was twice gassed.

English pop singer Chesney Hawkes is named after Chesney Allen.

Flanagan and Allen stopped performing together with Chesney Allen's retirement on health grounds in the late 1950s, although he continued working in theatrical management and returned to make occasional guest appearances.

He was a popular English entertainer of the Second World War period.

Serving in Flanders in the First World War, he made friends with Bud Flanagan, but they did not work together until 1926, touring with a Florrie Forde show called "Here's to You".

His last recording was for the album of the stage show Underneath the Arches in 1982.

He began his career in straight acting, making his debut in stock at the Wimbledon Theatre in London.

Although nominally a comedy double act, Flanagan & Allen were also known for their renditions of popular songs, the most famous of which was "Underneath The Arches."

The son of a builder, he was on stage from 1912.

Was semi-retired from 1945.