Eustace Grenfell
Encyclopedia
Major Eustace Osborne Grenfell (born 26 August 1890, date of death unknown) was an early flying ace
of World War I. He was credited with eight victories. He went on to make a career of the Royal Air Force. He was instrumental in developing the integrated radar/ground control system that won the Battle of Britain.
On 9 November 1914, he was granted Aviator's Certificate No. 966 after qualifying on a Maurice Farman
Biplane at the Central Flying School at Upavon
. On 22 December 1914, he was appointed a Flying Officer
On 17 August 1915, he was officially seconded to the Royal Flying Corps
in the rank of Lieutenant.
On 5 September 1915, he was a Lieutenant serving as a Temporary Captain and appointed a flight commander. Grenfell scored his first aerial victory on 13 September 1915, flying a Morane-Saulnier
and driving down an Albatros
reconnaissance plane. He used the Morane-Saunier L, which was the world's first airplane built with a gun firing forward through the propeller, which was armored with metal wedges to deflect untimely bullets. Grenfell used this same crude early fighter to down down a second Albatros recce plane on 7 December 1915.
By January 1916, Grenfell had upgraded to a Morane "Bullet", as it was the weapon he wielded in a quadruple victory on the 17th. On that day, in a forty minute dogfight over the Houthoulst Forest, he drove down a Fokker Eindekker, forced another to land, put another one out of control, and drove down an Albatros two-seater.
On 1 April 1916, he was appointed a Flight Commander at the Central Flying School back in England. On 12 July 1916, he was succeeded as an instructor by J. P. C. Cooper.
Grenfell returned to battle when he was assigned to 60 Squadron, which was commanded by Alan Scott
, and where he served with Albert Ball
. Now using a newer fighter, a Nieuport
, he drove an Albatros D.I
fighter down out of control on 20 October 1916. However, it was his last victory, on 28 December, that was the most memorable. Aided by Keith Caldwell
, Henry Meintjes
, and three other pilots, he forced an Albatros C.II
to land in a field. Because the German plane was a new type, the victors were anxious to capture it whole for its intelligence value. They landed surrounding it, four of them crashing their Nieuports in the process. Grenfell was one of them, and the only casualty, with a broken leg. The unwounded German observer managed to set the Albatros afire; it exploded, injuring the observer and several British infantrymen.
On 19 November 1917, Grenfell, who was a Lieutenant brevetted as a Temporary Major, reverted from Squadron Leader
back to Flight Commander and Temporary Captain with seniority set back 5 September 1915.
His next assignment(s) do not appear in the record, but circa 5 April 1923, he transferred from 27 Squadron (India) to 1 Squadron (Iraq). On 30 June 1923, he was promoted from Flight Lieutenant
to Squadron Leader
.
On 1 January 1924, he was transferred to the RAF Depot on Home Establishment. Then, while assigned to 7 Squadron, he and C F A Portal won the Laurence Minot
memorial bombing trophy in September 1927.
On 1 July 1931, he was promoted Squadron Leader
to Wing Commander
. On 3 August 1931, he was transferred to RAF Gosport for admin duties. It was during this stretch that he served as a Vice Wing Commander, as he was succeeded in the position by L. M Bailey circa 17 June 1932.
On January 1933, he was once again selected as OC of RAF Biggin Hill. This would be the most momentous assignment of his life. Beginning 4 August 1935 and extending for seven months, he was in charge of experiments in intercepting attacking enemy aircraft. The system of ground control that was developed was integrated with the brand new radar that was being developed; that same system would be the key to British victory in the Battle of Britain and the continued existence of Britain.
On 1 January 1937, Grenfell was promoted from Wing Commander to Group Captain
. He was assigned as OC of RAF Thornaby
on 12 May 1938. On 28 August 1938, he moved on to the same post at RAF Gosport. On 17 February 1942, he retired from the military.
Lieutenant (temporary Captain) Eustace Osborne Grenfell, Royal Artillery and Royal Flying Corps.
For conspicuous gallantry and skill. He attacked single-handed and brought down three Fokker aeroplanes.
Captain Grenfell has shown great bravery and initiative at all times. (Supplement to the London Gazette, 15 March 1916) 2877
Awarded the Air Force Cross on 2 November 1918.
Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross on 30 May 1924.
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
of World War I. He was credited with eight victories. He went on to make a career of the Royal Air Force. He was instrumental in developing the integrated radar/ground control system that won the Battle of Britain.
World War I service
On 2 June 1913, Eustace Osborne Grenfell was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Duke of Cornwall's Light InfantryDuke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
The Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry was an infantry regiment of the British Army from 1881 to 1959. Its lineage is continued today by The Rifles....
On 9 November 1914, he was granted Aviator's Certificate No. 966 after qualifying on a Maurice Farman
Maurice Farman
Maurice Alain Farman was a French Grand Prix motor racing champion, an aviator, and an aircraft manufacturer and designer.-Biography:...
Biplane at the Central Flying School at Upavon
Upavon
Upavon is a rural village in the English County of Wiltshire, England. As its name suggests, it is on the upper portions of the River Avon which runs from the north to the south through the village. It is situated about south of Pewsey, about southeast of the market town of Devizes, and about ...
. On 22 December 1914, he was appointed a Flying Officer
Flying Officer
Flying officer is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence...
On 17 August 1915, he was officially seconded to the Royal Flying Corps
Royal Flying Corps
The Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance...
in the rank of Lieutenant.
On 5 September 1915, he was a Lieutenant serving as a Temporary Captain and appointed a flight commander. Grenfell scored his first aerial victory on 13 September 1915, flying a Morane-Saulnier
Morane-Saulnier
Aéroplanes Morane-Saulnier is a French aircraft manufacturing company formed in October 1911 by Raymond Saulnier and the Morane brothers, Leon and Robert...
and driving down an Albatros
Albatros Flugzeugwerke
Albatros-Flugzeugwerke was a German aircraft manufacturer best known for supplying the German airforces during World War I.The company was based in Johannisthal, Berlin, where it was founded by Walter Huth and Otto Wiener on December 20, 1909. It produced some of the most capable fighter aircraft...
reconnaissance plane. He used the Morane-Saunier L, which was the world's first airplane built with a gun firing forward through the propeller, which was armored with metal wedges to deflect untimely bullets. Grenfell used this same crude early fighter to down down a second Albatros recce plane on 7 December 1915.
By January 1916, Grenfell had upgraded to a Morane "Bullet", as it was the weapon he wielded in a quadruple victory on the 17th. On that day, in a forty minute dogfight over the Houthoulst Forest, he drove down a Fokker Eindekker, forced another to land, put another one out of control, and drove down an Albatros two-seater.
On 1 April 1916, he was appointed a Flight Commander at the Central Flying School back in England. On 12 July 1916, he was succeeded as an instructor by J. P. C. Cooper.
Grenfell returned to battle when he was assigned to 60 Squadron, which was commanded by Alan Scott
Alan Scott (British Army officer)
Group Captain Alan John Lance Scott CB MC AFC was an officer in the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force during World War I and the following years....
, and where he served with Albert Ball
Albert Ball
Albert Ball VC, DSO & Two Bars, MC was an English fighter pilot of the First World War and a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest decoration for gallantry "in the face of the enemy" that can be awarded to members of the British or Commonwealth armed forces...
. Now using a newer fighter, a Nieuport
Nieuport
Nieuport, later Nieuport-Delage, was a French aeroplane company that primarily built racing aircraft before World War I and fighter aircraft during World War I and between the wars.-Beginnings:...
, he drove an Albatros D.I
Albatros D.I
|-See also:...
fighter down out of control on 20 October 1916. However, it was his last victory, on 28 December, that was the most memorable. Aided by Keith Caldwell
Keith Caldwell
Air Commodore Keith Logan "Grid" Caldwell CBE, MC, DFC & Bar was a New Zealand fighter ace of the Royal Flying Corps in World War I who also rose to the rank of Air Commodore in the Royal New Zealand Air Force during World War II.-Early life:Born in Wellington, the son of David Robert Caldwell and...
, Henry Meintjes
Henry Meintjes
Captain Henry Meintjes was a World War I flying ace credited with eight aerial victories. He participated in Albert Ball's final dogfight, during which he was wounded in the wrist .-Reference:...
, and three other pilots, he forced an Albatros C.II
Albatros Flugzeugwerke
Albatros-Flugzeugwerke was a German aircraft manufacturer best known for supplying the German airforces during World War I.The company was based in Johannisthal, Berlin, where it was founded by Walter Huth and Otto Wiener on December 20, 1909. It produced some of the most capable fighter aircraft...
to land in a field. Because the German plane was a new type, the victors were anxious to capture it whole for its intelligence value. They landed surrounding it, four of them crashing their Nieuports in the process. Grenfell was one of them, and the only casualty, with a broken leg. The unwounded German observer managed to set the Albatros afire; it exploded, injuring the observer and several British infantrymen.
On 19 November 1917, Grenfell, who was a Lieutenant brevetted as a Temporary Major, reverted from Squadron Leader
Squadron Leader
Squadron Leader is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence. It is also sometimes used as the English translation of an equivalent rank in countries which have a non-English air force-specific rank structure. In these...
back to Flight Commander and Temporary Captain with seniority set back 5 September 1915.
Post World War I service
Despite his setback, Grenfell remained in the Royal Air Force. In December 1918, he was selected as Officer Commanding of RAF Biggin Hill. Nevertheless, on 21 December 1918, he reverted from major back to captain.His next assignment(s) do not appear in the record, but circa 5 April 1923, he transferred from 27 Squadron (India) to 1 Squadron (Iraq). On 30 June 1923, he was promoted from Flight Lieutenant
Flight Lieutenant
Flight lieutenant is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many Commonwealth countries. It ranks above flying officer and immediately below squadron leader. The name of the rank is the complete phrase; it is never shortened to "lieutenant"...
to Squadron Leader
Squadron Leader
Squadron Leader is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence. It is also sometimes used as the English translation of an equivalent rank in countries which have a non-English air force-specific rank structure. In these...
.
On 1 January 1924, he was transferred to the RAF Depot on Home Establishment. Then, while assigned to 7 Squadron, he and C F A Portal won the Laurence Minot
Laurence Minot
Laurence Minot was an English poet. Nothing is certainly known of him. He may have been a soldier. Eleven poems are attributed to them, all of which appear uniquely in...
memorial bombing trophy in September 1927.
On 1 July 1931, he was promoted Squadron Leader
Squadron Leader
Squadron Leader is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence. It is also sometimes used as the English translation of an equivalent rank in countries which have a non-English air force-specific rank structure. In these...
to Wing Commander
Wing Commander (rank)
Wing commander is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries...
. On 3 August 1931, he was transferred to RAF Gosport for admin duties. It was during this stretch that he served as a Vice Wing Commander, as he was succeeded in the position by L. M Bailey circa 17 June 1932.
On January 1933, he was once again selected as OC of RAF Biggin Hill. This would be the most momentous assignment of his life. Beginning 4 August 1935 and extending for seven months, he was in charge of experiments in intercepting attacking enemy aircraft. The system of ground control that was developed was integrated with the brand new radar that was being developed; that same system would be the key to British victory in the Battle of Britain and the continued existence of Britain.
On 1 January 1937, Grenfell was promoted from Wing Commander to Group Captain
Group Captain
Group captain is a senior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries. It ranks above wing commander and immediately below air commodore...
. He was assigned as OC of RAF Thornaby
RAF Thornaby
RAF Thornaby was a former RAF Station located at the Teesside town of Thornaby-on-Tees, North Yorkshire. The station was created in the mid 1920s and came under the control of No. 18 Group, RAF Coastal Command in 1939. Being used mostly for reconnaissance work, anti shipping strikes, and attacks on...
on 12 May 1938. On 28 August 1938, he moved on to the same post at RAF Gosport. On 17 February 1942, he retired from the military.
Honors and awards
Military Cross (MC)Lieutenant (temporary Captain) Eustace Osborne Grenfell, Royal Artillery and Royal Flying Corps.
For conspicuous gallantry and skill. He attacked single-handed and brought down three Fokker aeroplanes.
Captain Grenfell has shown great bravery and initiative at all times. (Supplement to the London Gazette, 15 March 1916) 2877
Awarded the Air Force Cross on 2 November 1918.
Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross on 30 May 1924.
Reference
- Information and Revolutions in Military Affairs. Author and Editor Emily O. Goldman. Routledge, 2005. ISBN 0415701392, 9780415701396.
- Sixty Squadron, R.A.F.: A History of the Squadron From its Formation. Alan John Lance Scott. W. Heinemann, 1920. Original from the University of Michigan. Digitized 17 November 2006