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The Airmen's Stories - P/O H E Grellis

 

Horace Eustace Grellis, of Portobello, Edinburgh, was born in 1906.

He joined the RAF in September 1921 as an Aircraft Apprentice and passed out in August 1924.

On 7th April 1925 he was aloft in Vickers Virginia J7439 of 9 Squadron when it came down in the sea off Birchington, Kent in fog. The pilot, P/O EAC Bushell, was rescued slightly injured but Grellis had serious injuries. P/O NC Coull and AC1 EE Mills were recorded as missing, presumed drowned.

 

 

He was serving in India in the late twenties and received a Mention in Despatches (gazetted 26th June 1931) for operations on the North-West Frontier during the period 23rd April to 12th September 1930. He was then an LAC but in 1931 he was promoted to Corporal.

Some time in the latter part of the thirties Grellis completed his twelve-year engagement and at the age of 30 he went on to the RAF Class 'E' Reserve for four years, as a Corporal.

On 17th January 1936 he married Evelyn Helena Sibyl Steel at St. Marks, Musselburgh, East Lothian.

Recalled at the outbreak of war, Grellis remustered as an Airman u/t Air Gunner. He completed his training, was commissioned and had joined 23 Squadron at Collyweston by June 1940. He was still with the squadron in November 1940.

His subsequent service is currently undocumented. Grellis was released from the RAF in 1946 as a Flight Lieutenant.

He died on 7th March 1950.

 

 

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