Reg Grant

Reg Grant

Reginald Joseph Cowan Grant c. 1943
Nickname(s) Reg
Born 3 June 1914
Woodville, New Zealand
Died 28 February 1944
Allegiance  New Zealand
Service/branch  Royal New Zealand Air Force
Years of service 1939–1944
Rank Wing Commander[1]
Unit No. 145 Squadron RAF
Commands held No. 65 Squadron RAF
No. 485 Squadron RNZAF
Battles/wars Second World War
Awards Distinguished Flying Cross & Bar
Distinguished Flying Medal

Reginald Joseph Cowan "Reg" Grant DFC & Bar, DFM (3 June 1914 – 28 February 1944) was an officer of the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) who was killed in flying operations during the Second World War.[1][2]

Early life

Grant was born on 3 June 1914, in Woodville, a small town in New Zealand's North Island. He was educated at Auckland Grammar School. After schooling, he commenced working as a metal spinner. Grant joined the RNZAF in November 1939 and having completed his flying training, he was posted to the United Kingdom as a sergeant pilot to join 145 Squadron at Tangmere in March 1941.[3]

Second World War

In June and July 1941, Grant was flying Spitfires from Manston, and during that period he destroyed four Messerschmitt Bf 109s. By August 1941, and having taken part in 22 operations, Grant was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal.[4] That same month he was promoted to the rank of pilot officer and posted to 485 Squadron, the all-New Zealand fighter unit.[3] In March 1942, Grant was promoted to flight lieutenant and the same month he destroyed a Focke-Wulf FW 190 during a sweep from Cap Gris Nez to Dunkirk.[3] In May 1942, he took command of 485 Squadron and four months later was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for setting an excellent example of leadership and efficiency.[5]

In November 1942, Grant's younger brother, Ian, was posted to 485 Squadron. On 13 February 1943, the squadron took off for a mission across northern France and shortly after crossing the French coast the Spitfires sighted and engaged a force of FW 190's. However, a further 20 German fighters attacked out of the sun. Ian Grant was killed during the attack, one of three Spitfires to be shot down.[6] Reg Grant saw the threat but was unable to warn his brother in time. He immediately engaged the FW 190 which had carried out the attack and shot it down.[7]

Grant completed his operational tour in March 1943, having carried out 150 sorties and destroying eight enemy aircraft. He was awarded a bar to his DFC in June.[3] After some months in Canada, where he lectured New Zealand air crew trainees, Grant returned to England in November 1943 and was given command of 65 Squadron. Early in 1944 he was appointed Wing Commander Flying of 122 Wing, equipped with Mustangs.[2] On 28 February 1944, Grant took off for a sortie across the English Channel. Shortly after take off, in cloud, the engine of his fighter cut out. After ordering the wing to carry on without him, he turned back to base. On coming out of cloud at 1000 feet, he baled out but was too low for his parachute to open properly and fell to his death.[3] The crash site is located on the eastbound A13 carriageway approximately 100 metres east of the A128 flyover above the main A13 London to Southend Road.[7] Grant was buried at Brookwood Military Cemetery.[1]

On 28 February 2004, 60 years to the day after Grant's death, a dedication of memorial and service was held for his remembrance.[8] In September 2010, a room naming and unveiling ceremony was held at HQ 485 Wing at Whenuapai, outside Auckland, in honour of three former World War II Commanding Officers of No 485 (NZ) Spitfire Squadron, one being Grant.[9]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Grant, Reginald Joseph Cowan. Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Retrieved 2010-05-18
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Jack Rae. Thameside Aviation Museum. Retrieved 2011-05-18.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Wing Commander Reginald Joseph Cowan Grant. New Zealand Fighter Pilots Museum. Retrieved 2011-05-18.
  4. ↑ D.F.M. for New Zealander. Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 35, 9 August 1941, Page 8. Retrieved 2011-05-18.
  5. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 35721. p. 4216. 7 August 1942. Retrieved 2011-05-17.
  6. ↑ 485 (NZ) Squadron R.A.F. Retrieved 2011-05-18.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Wing Commander Reginald Joseph Cowan Grant. Thameside Aviation Museum. Retrieved 2011-05-18.
  8. ↑ Wing Commander RJC Grant. Thameside Aviation Museum. Retrieved 2011-05-18.
  9. ↑ Link to History with Room Naming. Royal New Zealand Air Force. Retrieved 2011-05-18.

Further reading