Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Sergeant (Navigator) A. R. Grindley, 114 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, who was killed in action when his Blenheim was shot down by a enemy fighters whilst on a reconnaissance mission, and crashed into the sea off Bergen, on 13 January 1941

1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; War Medal 1939-45, with named Air Council enclosure and medal tickets, in card box of issue, addressed to ‘Mrs. L. Pearl Bird, Alton Pancras, Nr. Dorchester, Dorset.’, extremely fine (3) £300-£400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to Second World War Royal Air Force Casualties.

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Alfred Richard Grindley was born in Willesden, Middlesex, on 20 December 1899 and was a chauffeur by occupation. He qualified as a pilot at Bournemouth Aero Club on 17 August 1939 and trained as a bomber pilot but was subsequently posted for service during the Second World War as an Observer with 114 Squadron. His first operational sortie was against the dock installations at Boulogne on 11 December 1940.

Grindley was killed in action when Blenheim L9020, piloted by Pilot Officer D. Lowther-Clarke, were intercepted and shot down by an enemy Me.109 piloted by FW Rudi Mickel of 1/JG1, over the North Sea some 15 miles West of Bergen, whilst on an armed reconnaissance, on 13 January 1941. All the crew were killed.

Grindley is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. His medals were sent to his widow, Lilian Pearl Grindley, who had subsequently re-married.

Sold with four photographic images of the recipient, and copied research.