From Richard Dainty, Alan's friend from childhood and best man:

"One of the strongest memories I have of Alan was of him as a demon bowler when we played cricket in the local park. We would use a small tree stump for wickets and Alan would take such a long run up he would be hidden in some nearby bushes, only to zoom out and strike fear into anyone batting. 70 years on I am still afraid of being whacked by one of Alan’s lightning fast balls!!"