Lot 5200

Description

Group of Seven: Distinguished Flying Cross (GRI of GVI type); Distinguished Flying Medal (GVIR Ind:Imp); 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star, - clasp - France and Germany; Defence Medal 1939-45; War Medal 1939-45; Australia Service Medal 1939-45. The year 1944 on reverse of bottom arm of first medal, Aus.402571. Sgt. C.R.G.Grant. R.A.A.F. on second medal, third and fourth medals unnamed as issued, 402571 C.R.G.Grant. on last three medals. The first and second medals engraved, the other named medals impressed. Swing mounted, very fine - extremely fine.

Together with Bomber Command Medal 1939-1945, unnamed, with brooch mounting; Returned from Active Service badge (KC), reverse numbered AF6338; transcript of a radio interview for 'Wings of War' series; 'G' for George magazine; three folders containing various b&w wartime photos, numerous newspaper cuttings, copies of log books and other documents.

DFC: LG 15/9/1944, p4272; CAG 21/9/1944, p2179 to Flt Lt C.R.G.Grant RAAF with 109 Sqn (RAF).

Citation: Flight Lieutenant Grant has completed a great number of sorties against heavily defended targets in North West Germany. He is a most skilful and determined pilot who has always pressed home his attacks regardless of heavy enemy opposition.

DFM: LG 20/11/1942, p5033 to Sgt C.R.G.Grant 460 Sqn RAAF.

Citation: Sergeant Grant has taken part in night operations over enemy territory displaying consistent skill and determination. Grant's quiet courage and exceptional leadership have been inspirational to his squadron.

Presented by the King at Buckingham Palace on 28Mar1944.

Awarded Path Finder Force Badge 5/8/1944.

Charles Robert Gordon Grant, known as Gordon Grant, born 07Apr1911 at Lavender Bay, Sydney, NSW; employed prior to WWII as an Overseer on a sheep and cattle property at Bingara, NSW, served for 9 months in the militia with 24 Light Horse Regiment at Tamworth, NSW and also was a bookkeeping clerk; Enl.16Sep1940 as an Airman and trained at Mascot, Wagga Wagga and Point Cook before leaving Australia for Vancouver on 08Aug1941; training continued in England with 27OTU and on 09May1942 was posted to 460 Sqn; commissioned as a Pilot Officer 17Jul1942, Flying Officer 17Jan1943, Flt Lieutenant 17Jul1944; flew as a captain and pilot on 28 operations with RAAF 460 Squadron flying Wellingtons and Lancasters and flew a further 62 operations with RAF 109 'Pathfinder' Squadron flying Mosquito aircraft. These operations included flights over Europe with Bomber Command between May 1942 and July 1944 with targets being most major cities in Germany, the flying bomb sites and culminated with operations on D-Day 6 June 1944; RTA via New York, USA in Aug1944 and was first Bomber Command pilot to return with 90 operational flights to his credit; Disch.16April1945 as Flight Lieutenant ex 109 Sqn; during his service he flew various aircraft types including Tiger Moth, Wirraway, Anson, Wellington, Oxford, Halifax, Lancaster and Mosquito.