Flying Officer Harry Grinham

Henry Perry Grinham enlisted in the RAF on the 20th May 1942. As a Pilot Officer he was posted to "G" Squadron, The Glider Pilot Regiment, and began to fly with them on the 4th February 1945, and was promoted to Flying Officer on the 22nd March 1945. On Operation Varsity, he was the 1st Pilot of RX 875, a Horsa Mk II glider, with Sergeant Macrae as his 2nd Pilot, carrying a Jeep, trailer and men of the 12th Devons. The Horsa is recorded in his log book as having been shot down, but despite being shot through the leg, Grinham managed to land the craft though all aboard were immediately taken prisoner by German paratroopers. Locked in a barn, Grinham feared they would be shot, but all were subsequently released by American troops and he was evacuated to a hospital in Holland on the 1st April. He passed away in 1981. Copyright: Rowena Smith.

Harry Grinham on the day of his wedding to W.M. Simpkins on the 20th December 1944. Sergeant Macrae, 2nd pilot and Best Man, stands at the right. Copyright: Rowena Smith.

"C" Flight, No.3 Squadron, No.8 Initial Training Wing (ITW), June 1943. Harry Grinham is first from the left on the second row from the front. Larger image. Copyright: Rowena Smith.

No.1 Glider Training School, Croughton, 1st December 1944. Harry Grinham is fourth from the right on the middle row. Copyright: Rowena Smith.

No.1 Glider Training School, Croughton, 1st December 1944. Cyril Henson is fifth from the left on the middle row. Copyright: Rowena Smith.

Harry Grinham's original Pegasus patch. Copyright: Rowena Smith.

An accommodation list for "G" Squadron officers at Great Dunmow, 10th February 1945. Copyright: Rowena Smith.