Orders, Decorations and Medals

A superb Royal Flying Corps Ace’s group of ten to Group Captain E. O. ‘Black’ Grenfell, M.C., D.F.C., A.F.C., Royal Air Force
Military Cross, G.V.R.; Distinguished Flying Cross, G.V.R.; Air Force Cross, G.V.R.; 1914-15 Star (Lieut., D. of Corn. L.I.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. (Major, R.F.C.; India General Service 1908-35, 2 clasps, Waziristan 1919-21, Waziristan 1921-24 (Flt. Lt., R.A.F.) naming officially re-impressed; War Medal; Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937, together with a small photograph album containing 48 photographs, including many of R.F.C. aircraft, and R.F.C. and R.A.F. cap badges, very fine and better (10)

M.C. London Gazette 15 March, 1916: ‘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.’
A.F.C. London Gazette 2 November, 1918.
D.F.C. London Gazette 30 May, 1924: ‘In recognition of distinguished services rendered with the Waziristan Force during January 1922 and April 1923.’ The following details are taken from the official recommendation for the D.F.C.: ‘This officer has shown the greatest gallantry and devotion to duty during the operations. He has led his flight on every raid and has never failed to carry out the task set him. He has consistently set a high example of hard work and efficiency both in the air and on the ground.’

Eustace Osborne Grenfell was first commissioned in the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, as Lieutenant, on 1 March, 1914. On the outbreak of the War he took pilot training and gained Pilot Licence No. 966 on 9 November, 1914. He proceeded to France with No. 1 Aeroplane Squadron on 7 March, 1915, and, flying a Morane, shot down an Albatross C on 13 September. This was followed by another Albatross C on 7 December, 1915. He was on duty during the battle of Neuve Chapelle and one of his sorties is reported in War in the Air (Vol. 2 p.97). On the 17th January, 1916, he bagged three Fokkers and an Albatross in one operation over Northern France before breakfast for which he was later awarded the Military Cross. “I was flying the first Morane Bullet”, he later recalled, “that was a replica of the Fokker and they did not recognise me as British.” Of his early experiences in France Grenfell relates: “The bombs were just rolling about in the cockpit and we had to find them with our feet and them drop them over the side. We fired revolvers and cut down rifles. Once I attacked a Zeppelin with a revolver and, running out of ammunition, I just threw my revolver at it.”
After a spell at the Central Flying School, Grenfell became a Flight Commander in 60 Squadrn late in September 1916. He destroyed an Albatross DI on 20 October, and an Albatross CII on 11 December. It was whilst he was circling over this, his eighth and last victim, that he crashed and broke a leg. Later in the War he commanded 23 Squadron, but it is with No. 1 Squadron that Grenfell will remain synonymous having served in it three times and commanded it twice - at Tangmere and Irik. The lot is sold with a considerable amount of additional research, including combat reports.