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Auction: 24113 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 557

(x) Six: Petty Officer Air Mechanic D. H. McGrandles, Royal Navy

1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Burma Star, clasp, Pacific; War Medal 1939-45, mounted as worn, sold together with an archive of original material, very fine (6)

Douglas Hugh McGrandles was born on 16 July 1920 at Govanhill, Glasgow and enlisted as a Boy 2nd Class on 31 December 1935 aboard H.M.S. Ganges. He reached his majority as Ordinary Seaman on 14 January 1938 whilst serving with Rodney. Stationed with Victory on the outbreak of the Second World War, McGrandles was posted to Daedalus from 1 October 1939 before transferring to become an Air Mechanic on 16 November 1939.

Posted to the Royal Naval Air Station H.M.S. Raven on 28 November 1939, he began working with Skua, Roe and Gladiator aircraft. Transferring to R.N.A.S. Donibristle on 13 April 1940 he was based at the aircraft repair yard working on Walrus and Skua aircraft. McGrandles joined the crew of the carrier Formidable on 1 November 1941 where he was attached to 888 Squadron with Martlet aircraft.

Remaining with her for nearly two years, McGrandles likely saw service during the Indian Ocean Raid and Operation Torch. Joining the Air Station at Jackdaw on 3 September 1943 with the Central Maintenance Electrical Station, he then served with Daedalus from 26 September 1943 until 3 January 1944. McGrandles service papers note 'Failed after completing P.O.s Course at School of Aircraft Maintenance'.

Transferring to another Scottish Air Station, Merlin from 4 January 1944 McGrandles served attached to 784 Squadron with Firefly aircraft. Joining 1790 Squadron he was posted first to Ringtail in Lancashire on 30 December 1944 and later to H.M.S. Nabthorpe in Western Australia on 25 June 1945 - where he remained until the end of the war.

McGrandles was promoted Petty Officer Air Mechanic on 1 November 1946 while stationed at Renfrew with both Firefly and Seafire aircraft. He saw further service aboard Vengeance from 11 June 1949 until 3 July 1950 with both 802 and 814 Squadrons operating both Sea Furys and Fireflys.

Finally enrolling into the Royal Fleet Reserve on 12 August 1950, he re-enrolled through 11 August 1960 but during this period was discharged on 31 March 1957 and enrolled into the R.N.E.R. the following day; sold together with an archive of original documentation:

i)
Certificate of Service which confirms full medal entitlement

ii)
History Sheet for Air Mechanics

iii)
Recommendations for Advancement and Conduct Record Sheet

iv)
Application for, and report of result of, Professional Examination

v)
P.T. Examination Results

vi)
Slip for Second World War medals

vii)
Photograph of him in uniform with H.M.S. Rodney cap tally

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£80

Starting price
£70