High Officer Killed

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 54, 7 March 1944, Page 6

High Officer Killed

WING-COMMANDER R. J. GRANT (Special Correspondent.) LONDON, March 3. R.N.Z.A.F. Headquarters in London regret to announce that Wing-Commander R. J. Grant, D.F.C. and bar, D.F.M., of Auckland, has been killed on active service. He was'buried to-day at Brookwood Cemetery after a service at the Gravesend Church. Wing-Commander Grant’s death is deeply mourned by New Zealand airmen as a distinct loss. Wing-Commander Grant haa an outstanding career as a fighter pilot. He won the D.F.M. before joining the New Zealand Spitfire Squadron in the autumn of 3941. He arrived as a flight-sergeant and by the summer of the following year was the squadron's commanding officer. He led the squadron with distinction arid for his rest period he made a lecture tour of Canadian stations. He recently returned to England and was promoted wing-commander. He led his wirg on several recent operations. Wing-Commander Grant had shot down eight enemy planes and was regarded as being among the best fighter pilots New Zealand had produced in this war. Wing-Commander Grant’s brother, lan, was shot down over France while with the New Zealand Spitfire Squadron, WingCommander Grant shooting down the German who got his brother. The New Zealand Spitfire Squadron, which recently ended a rest period and lias returned to “front line” operations, paid a last tribute to its former commanding officer. Led by Fliglit-Lieu t. Lindsay Black, of Levin, it circled twice over Brook wood Cemetery while the burial service was taking place. Mrs. H. Parker, of Tiakitahuna, is an aunt.