“Goodbye” Chesney Allen Died 13 November 1982

William Ernest Chesney Allen (5 April 1893 – 13 November 1982) was a popular English entertainer of the Second World War period. He is best remembered for his double act with Bud Flanagan, Flanagan and Allen.

Flanagan and Allen were also members of the Crazy Gang and worked with that team for many years.

During World War II, they were famous for songs such as “We’re Going To Hang Out The Washing On The Siegfried Line” mocked the German defences (Siegfried Line), while others like “Miss You” sang of missing one’s sweetheart. Other songs such as their best known “Underneath the Arches” (which Flanagan co-wrote with Reg Connelly) had themes such as friendship, which helped people relate to the subject matter.

Flanagan and Allen stopped performing together when Chesney Allen retired on health grounds in the late. His last recording was for the album of the stage show Underneath the Arches in 1982.