ALDERMAN F E Allen, representative for the East Ward, was elected Swindon’s 40th mayor this week in 1940.

Alderman Allen, pictured left, with his wife, was a former GWR oil gas chargeman, had served on the watch and pleasure grounds committee as well as the housing, health, rating and valuation, sewage works and allotments committees.

At the time of his election he was also serving on the No 2 public assistance committee and the local pensions committee.

“Acknowledging the honour conferred upon him, the mayor said he felt a sense of disappointment that it was not his privilege to take over the office from his predecessor, Councillor Hustings, whose recent sudden passing had created such a deep sense of loss to the people of Swindon,” reported the Adver.

In America, President Theodore Roosevelt was returned to serve a third term of office where, according to Colonel Knox, the secretary of the navy, the President had received a clear mandate to continue a firm and vigorous foreign policy and to accelerate national defence.

“Half a million New Yorkers, mainly pro-Democrat, jammed Times Square to watch election returns flash up, and firemen answered hundreds of calls to put out street bonfires,” reported the Advertiser.