Alan was born in Wallasey and brought up in Knotty Ash, Liverpool, where his dad, Jack Potts, was a butcher. His love of music and humour started at an early age. He was at school with Ken Dodd and his mum, Ethel, mixed in theatrical circles and was a champion of the young Frankie Vaughan. Alan fell in love with jazz and big band music as a young man in the 1930's and soon acquired a collection of 78 rpm records. He became well known for carrying them around wherever he went! His favorites were the American big bands, the pop music of their day; Artie Shaw, Gene Krupa, Glen Miller, etc. This love stayed with him throughout his life. Little did he know, in his early teens that circumstances would present him with the opportunity to listen to them, live, much sooner than expected. When war was declared in 1939, Alan enlisted in the army and, because of his schooling as a draughtsman, after basic training was (at aged 18), he was posted for staff duties in London. He often talked about having a 'good war!' Strange but true. Based in the Union Jack Club! A civilian billet! His senior commanding officer was Colonel Fleetwood Hesketh of Southport fame. After security vetting (by no other than Anthony Blunt), Alan was assigned to Chief of Staff - Supreme Allied Command (COSSAC), later to become Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Forces (SHAEF) and set to work as a draughtsman preparing battle maps for the Normandy landings and European invasion. He was also BIGOTTED (no not intolerant!). This was 'need to know' clearance to work on the deception plans to disguise the true invasion sites. Under General Eisenhower's command, SHAEF moved to Versailles and Alan followed there in 1944, prior to which he had been able to spend his free time in London listening to his favorite U.S. bands over here to entertain the troops. He was present at the Signing of the Surrender Document in 1945. He was then transferred to Dusseldorf and stayed in the army as Sergeant in charge of the German military government Intelligence Division Drawing Office until 1947. Alan met his wife, Dorothy, when she was working for the U.S. Army Air Force in Bushey Park. They were married in 1956 and have two children, Colin and Janet. Alan trained as an architect, working for local authorities, a job which brought him to Southport and the family home in Walmer Road. He was a magistrate there for 17 years. He became a Captain in The Territorial Army and was awarded the Territorial Decoration. He raised thousands of pounds for the Army Benevolent Fund through promotion of over 40 military band concerts in Southport. Alan was a founding member of what is now Southport Melodic Jazz Club. Initially he was Treasurer and later a Director of the club. When his health started to decline, he was appointed Honorary Lifetime President in April 2004. Branch of Service details: Royal Army.