James Grant (RAF airman) facts for kids

Sergeant James Grant DFM was a brave Scottish airman during World War I. He was known as a flying ace, which means he helped shoot down at least five enemy aircraft. What made James special was that he wasn't a pilot; he was an observer and gunner on a bomber plane. Most flying aces were pilots and officers, but James was a young non-commissioned officer (a soldier who leads others but isn't an officer). He was very accurate with his machine gun and incredibly brave. Because of his actions, he received the Distinguished Flying Medal when he was only 18 years old.

Early life

James Grant was born in Argyll, Scotland, in 1899. When he decided to join the military, he was living in a place called Sandbank, Argyll and Bute.

World War I heroism

James Grant became a Sergeant Mechanic in No. 57 Squadron RAF. From March to September 1918, he flew as an observer and gunner. He was on board Airco DH.4 light bombers. His squadron was based in Le Quesnoy, France. Their job was to fly dangerous missions. These included taking photos of enemy areas (called photo reconnaissance) and dropping bombs. It was very risky work, and many airmen were injured or killed.

First victories

On June 10, 1918, James Grant started showing his amazing bravery. He was flying with Lieutenant C. W. Peckham on a bombing trip to Bapaume, France. Eight German Fokker planes attacked them. At 8:10 PM, between Grévillers and Vimy, Grant shot down a German Triplane. It crashed in flames. Just 15 minutes later, he destroyed another German Dreidecker (a type of triplane).

Nine days later, on June 19, Sergeant Grant was flying over Bapaume with Lieutenant J. T. Kirkham. A German Pfalz D.III fighter plane attacked them. Grant worked with another British air crew, Lieutenant Claud Stokes and Corporal J. H. Bowler. Together, they caught the German fighter in a crossfire, and it fell out of control.

Becoming an ace

On August 14, James was flying as a gunner with Lieutenant E. M. Coles. A German Fokker D.VII fighter was chasing their bomber. Grant shot it down. The British bomber was returning from a bombing raid. The German plane was destroyed over Roisel. In an early use of a parachute, the German pilot managed to bail out of his plane.

On September 1, 1918, 57 Squadron was on another bombing mission with Lieutenant Cole. They were attacked by about 20 German fighter planes! Grant destroyed another Fokker D.VII over Cambrai, France, at 2:00 PM. This victory made Grant a "flying ace." He had now helped shoot down five enemy planes while flying with three different pilots.

Three days later, on September 4, James was manning the guns for Captain Andrew MacGregor. He sent another Fokker D.VII crashing out of control into Bourlon Woods. This happened at 10:00 AM.

The very next day, September 5, Grant was still flying with Captain MacGregor. They flew two missions that day. At 11:25 AM, west of Marcoing, France, Grant destroyed his third Fokker D.VII. Later that day, at 4:05 PM, he destroyed his fourth D.VII west of Avesnes-le-Sec. One of the German Fokker planes he shot down that day caught fire. The pilot jumped out, but no parachute was seen. It seems the German pilot chose to fall rather than burn.

Post World War I

James Grant's amazing courage and shooting skills earned him the Distinguished Flying Medal. This important award was officially announced in the London Gazette on November 29, 1918. The official statement said:

100425 Sergt.-Mech. James Grant

A gallant and capable non-commissioned officer who has accounted for six enemy aeroplanes. On 1 September, whilst on a bomb raid his formation was attacked by fifteen Fokker biplanes and five triplanes. In the severe fighting that ensued Sergt. Grant served his gun with exceptional skill, crashing one enemy machine, and it was largely due to his good shooting that the enemy were eventually driven off.

This citation shows how important James Grant's actions were in helping his squadron survive tough battles.

See also

• Aerial victory standards of World War I