Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

His name is on the Local Roll of Honour- Goulburn NSW

Son of Eric Stanley Ross Grant and Kitty Grant, of Kenmore, New South Wales, Australia.

AT REST. YOUR MEMORY HALLOWED IN THE LAND YOU LOVED

THE LATE FLT./SGT. D. R. GRANT

KILLED IN ACTION OVER GERMANY Sergt. D. R. Grant As briefly reported in the Evenlng Post on Friday, the death of Sgt, Don Grant during air operations over Germany on June 14, has been officially confirmed through the casualty section of the Department of Air in Melbourne. Sergeant Grant is the oldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Eric Grant, of Sterne Street, Goulburn. The late Sgt Grant was born in Goulburn and would have reached his 23rd year in August last, and also have completed two years of service with the R. A. A. F. within a week of his birthday. He received his education in Goulburn, at Goulburn North Public School, and later at the Goulburn High School. He was among the first group of young men to join the Police Boys’ Club in Goulburn, and it was mainly through his training there that he attained a high standard of physical perfection even though previously he was a very strong swimmer, also a keen hockey player. His keenest interest at the Police Club was wrestling and in his final year there succeeded in winning the title and cup for his division. Don Grant would be best remembered by the travelling public as the genial buffet attendant on the Southern Highlands Express, a position he occupied with th Railway Department for about 3 years prior to the time of his release by them for service with the R. A. A. F. in 1941. Sgt. Grant completed the whole of his training in Australia between Queensland and Northern N. S. W., and proceeded to England, and apart from a few weeks in South Africa spent the last six months of his service on various Air Stations in that country; he finalised his flying with Wellington bombers and had been piloting these planes in night flying exercises as training as subsidiary bomber-pilot when he was transferred to a Lancaster Squadron. It was due to his expert air-gunnery that he achieved this ambition, proof of which is given by his winning two tests between nineteen and thirty five contestants respectively. In a letter to Mr. Grant, his Commanding Officer spoke of him as a very keen and conscientious air-man, and although missing he hoped later to be able to forward better news. As far as can be ascertained at present Sgt. Grant had taken part in two raids over Germany prior to their being detailed to attack Oberhausen, in the Ruhr district, on the night of June 14. During that night's operations eighteen bombers were reported as having failed to return. A report received later believed that his plane had made a landing in enemy territory, and hopes were entertained for the crew's safety, but so far as is now known in Australia only one member of the crew escaped with his life, a Sgt. Morrison, of Ashfield, N. S. W., who, after a period in hospital is in a prisoner-of-war camp in Germany. There were only three Australian airmen in the Lancaster, the remainder being Royal Air Force personnel. No particulars of Sgt. Grant's place of burial are yet available, but will be communicated by the Directorate of Graves Registration when known.

Mr. Eric Grant, of the staff at the Orange Mental Hospital, has received the following communication from the Directorate of War Graves Services, Melbourne, stating that advice had now been received that his late son, Flt./Sgt. D. R. Grant, was buried in the New East Cemetery Amsterdam, Holland Field 69, grave 58/4 The Imperial War Graves Commission was responsible for the care of the grave and everything possible was being done to ensure that every attention is given the grave to maintain it in a manner befitting one who has given his life in the service of his country.

Mr. and Mrs. E. S. R. Grant of Sterne Street, Goulburn, have received a letter from the Department of Air expressing regret at the loss of their son. The operation took place on the night of June 14 - 15. Advice was given that their son had been promoted retrospect-ively to the rank of Flight Sergeant, to take effect from December 25, 1942. In the Orange Leader appears the fol-lowing tribute from the cricket writer of that journal:-All local sportsmen, hockey players especially (writes "Silly Point"), who have the privilege of knowing Eric Grant will record him a two minutes' silence at his tragic loss. This adornment of the hockey field was president of the big and important Goulburn Association when the Kenmore evacuation resulted in his trans-fer to Orange. That was our gain. When Grant refereed it was a guarantee of good, clean and honest play with no comebacks. A few days ago he received official notification of the death of one one of his sons, Don, as the outcome of air operations over Germany. Some months ago the news was received that the bomber in which Don was an air - gunner had been brought down, with the deaths of the majority of the crew, but that young Grant was posted missing. Since then Eric Grant has been dreaming a dream; that Don had managed to evade things. The dream was shattered a few days ago. I saw the lad on his final leave, which seems so tragically recent. A fine type of that Empire airmen who have gained the admiration of the world. Like the father in his hey-day, young Don was also a hockey player, destined for the big games. Not now. He has given all to his country. Eric Grant himself is an old soldier of that other world war. Amongst other happenings in Flanders he went through the purga-tory of Passchendale Ridge. And now he has made the greatest gift an old warrior can make - this my son on the sacrificial alter of the Empire at war. If it is any comfort, old soldier, to you -also Mrs. Grant - In this your bitter hour, you have the sincerest sympathy of the many Orange sportsmen, whose respect for you and your qualities is deep and whole - hearted.