Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria, to include the Brian Ritchie Collection (Part III)

A good Second World War A.F.C. group of seven awarded to Wing Commander G. Greaves, Royal Auxiliary Air Force, who flew patrols in Hurricanes of No. 504 Squadron in the winter of 1939

Air Force Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated ‘1941’; 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals; Air Efficiency Award, G.VI.R., 1st issue (Sqn. Ldr., A.A.F.), extremely fine (7) £1200-1500

A.F.C. London Gazette 24 September 1941. The original recommendation states:

‘This officer has displayed great energy in commanding a training flight. During the period January 1940 to February 1941, his flight completed 6200 hours flying and trained 250 pupils. His personal flying time for that period was 340 hours.

George Greaves was originally commissioned into the R.A.F’s Special Reserve as a Pilot Officer in October 1935, and joined No. 504 (County of Nottingham) Squadron, A.A.F., in the same rank in May 1936. Advanced to Flying Officer in April 1937 and to Flight Lieutenant in September 1939, he was still serving in No. 504 Squadron, at Digby, on the commencement of hostilities.

In common with other Auxiliary Air Force squadrons, No. 504 boasted an array of colourful personalities, among them Prince Obolensky, the famous rugby player, and, inevitably, a number of future aces, such as Victor Beamish and Count Czernin. For his own part, Greaves must have undoubtedly flown patrols in the Squadron’s Hurricanes up until the end of 1939, not least on convoy protection duties along the Lincolnshire-Yorkshire coast, but in the new year he was posted as an instructor to No. 56 Operational Training Unit.

Greaves was advanced to Temporary Squadron Leader in March 1941 and to Temporary Wing Commander in January 1943, and was awarded his Air Efficiency Award in April of the latter year. He was released from active service in October 1945, but remained on the strength of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force until 1955, when he finally relinquished his commission but was allowed to retain the rank of Wing Commander (London Gazette 1 March 1955 refers).