Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A scarce Northern Kurdistan and Battle of Britain group of seven awarded to Squadron Leader G. J. Grogan, Royal Air Force - also a veteran of the North West Frontier he went on to serve as a Blenheim Air Gunner with 23 (Night Fighter) Squadron during the Battle of Britain

General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Northern Kurdistan (560970 L.A.C. G. J. Grogan. R.A.F.); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1935 (560970 G. J. Grogan. R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star, 1 clasp, Battle of Britain; Air Crew Europe Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Royal Air Force L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue (Act. Sqn. Ldr. G. J. Grogan. R.A.F.) small edge bruise to the first, otherwise good very fine (7) £3,000-£4,000

Provenance: Glendining’s, September 1990.

George Jacques Grogan was born in Ireland, 24 October 1909, and joined the Royal Air Force as an Aircraft Apprentice on 14 September 1926. He passed out in August 1929, and served in Iraq in 1932 with either 30 or 55 Squadron, taking part in the operations in Northern Kurdistan, and on the North West Frontier in 1935 with 20 Squadron (Wapiti 2A’s).

Grogan volunteered for aircrew duties at the outbreak of the Second War, and was commissioned Pilot Officer on 17 January 1940. He was posted for operational service as an Air Gunner to 23 Squadron (Blenheims) at Wittering in February 1940, and was with the squadron in a night fighter capacity throughout the Battle of Britain. Grogan was promoted to Flying Officer on 17 January 1941; Flight Lieutenant, 17 January 1942 and Squadron Leader (Armament Branch), 1 August 1947. He received his L.S. & G.C. medal in 1946, and retired, 1 November 1956. Squadron Leader Grogan died in 1983.

Sold with some research including details of patrols flown during July to October, 1940. A small photograph of him can be found in Men of the Battle of Britain.