[1] Alington was eldest son of the Very Revd Dr Cyril Alington, headmaster of Eton College, Shrewsbury School, and dean at Durham Cathedral, and his wife, Hester Margaret, née Lyttelton.
[3] Before World War II, Alington was assistant secretary of the National Association of Probation Officers.
[4] Alington was unable to join up during World War II due to ill health.
Instead, he helped Arthur Goodhart as coordinator of the wartime Short Leave Courses at Balliol College, Oxford.
Another Prime Minister, Harold Wilson, who had connections with University College, was also a friend and colleague.