Sorry for the late reply to the newer threads.

I telephoned Irvin systems yesterday and they did confirm John Watson Allan,had been awarded a caterpiller in 1943 for a successful bail out from an aircraft.
But could give me no other details at all,i did mention the spelling Allen and they said it was quite possible that a miss spelling by the engraver was possibly.

Edward

Sorry Paul i am having internet difficulties.Upon removing the cotton wool from the box hand written in ink is 89617,i had just posted this and then removed the thread as i would not have thought this would have been long enough for a service number.The only other markings apart from the inside of the box lid are Mappin & Webb ltd on the outside base of the box in gold lettering.

Edward

Having now quizzed the wife and her brother this afternoon regarding this badge,it appears that my wifes mother was given this by a sweetheart.They lived from 1938 until 1943 in Hitcham Suffolk,before moving to the Whitby in 1943 until she passed last year. She was given the badge by an airforce pilot she befrended.The mother in laws maiden name was Francis Allen,and just by total coincidence the name on the badge is Allen.We now believe this is just a coincidence,and he wasnt a family member at all.My wifes brother has just given me this information,as my wifes mother died last year,and we have just come across this boxed badge in her belongings in the loft.

Edward

Thank you kindly for your replies,we will try and contact Irvin as my wife is a family member of the badge holder.We have tried to find anything regarding his service history but we cannot find a service number for him anywhere.

Martin,yes my user name does refer to the same,i spent many a summers day in my childhood finding bits on the crash site.

Thank you Edward