The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. H F Grubb
Henry Frank Grubb was born in Dalston, London on 30th March 1915 and educated at Owens School, Islington. He became a Chartered Surveyor and joined the RAFVR about July 1937 as an Airman u/t Pilot.
Called up on 1st September 1939, he qualified as a Sergeant-Pilot on 6th October and in November joined the newly-reformed 219 Squadron.
He served with the squadron throughout the Battle of Britain and on 22nd November 1940 he destroyed an enemy aircraft off Beachy Head during a night patrol.
Grubb was posted to 51 OTU Cranfield in late August 1941 as an
instructor. Promoted to Warrant Officer in October 1941, Grubb was commissioned in May 1942.
He joined 29 Squadron at West Malling in September. He then went to 287 Squadron at Croydon in January 1943, an anti-aircraft co-operation unit.
In early 1944 Grubb went overseas with 5 Ferry Unit to the Middle East, returned to the UK in September 1945 and was released from the RAF in October as a Flight Lieutenant.
He was the twin brother of EG Grubb and they remained together throughout their RAF service, something of a record. He died in 1981.
Above: the Grubb twins, it has not been possible to tell them apart
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