Reg Grant | |
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Reginald Joseph Cowan Grant c. 1943
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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 |
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.
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.
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. That same month he was promoted to the rank of pilot officer and posted to 485 Squadron, the all-New Zealand fighter unit. 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. 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.