My grandfather, Roy S. Grandy, OBE, was known by most of his friends and colleagues as Bill because of his Newfoundland heritage and the fact that although he was fairly well known for his aviation "exploits," his first love remained the sea. Grandy was born in Bay L'Argent, Newfoundland, on March 5, 1894. Although he had sailed to many points around the globe by the age of 16, he was denied entrance to the Navy because of "flat feet."
Grandy went off to what is now known as Thunder Bay to find work on the "lakers" and while there joined the Lake Superior Regiment as a reservist. With the outbreak of war in 1914, he enlisted with the Newfoundland Regiment [later Royal Newfoundland Regiment]. He was later shipped overseas and saw action in Gallipoli, Cairo, and Alexandria where along with many of his mates he contracted dysentery and pneumonia. Gravely ill, he was sent to England and endured a full recovery.
At this time he was to make a decision which would affect the rest of his life. He had seen enough of the war from ground level and discovered that the Royal Flying Corps [RFC] was looking for pilots. He decided not to return to his regiment, a fortunate choice given the very tragic fate of the "Blue Puttees" at the Somme on July 1, 1916, but strove to have wings pinned on his chest. In 1916 he graduated and was attached to 43 Squadron flying the legendary Sopwith Camel. He was Mentioned in Despatches more than once for missions over France. Early in his flying career superiors took notice of his natural talents. He was eventually posted to the RFC's prestigious School of Special Flying at Gosport, England, as an instructor. This was to become a lifelong love affair for my grandfather as he loved to pass on "what he had" to the younger pilots. His ability to teach and the manner in which he taught played no small part in his 1988 induction into Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame. |
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At war's end in 1918 and until April 1919, Grandy was a member of the newly formed Royal Air Force. Despite being from Newfoundland, he went back to Canada and joined the infant Canadian Air Force at Camp Borden, Ontario. This was to be the first of many postings to "The Birthplace of the RCAF." Before long he was instructing and named Flight Lieutenant, Officer Commanding "A" Flight. Most flying time was on Avro 504K's but included other aircraft like the Jenny. One name which will be familiar to many aviation buffs is C.H. "Punch" Dickens. Grandy provided the veteran western bush pilot with refresher training and Dickens spoke quite fondly of his association with the guy from the "Rock."
One of his senior officers, George Wakeham, wrote that "Grandy had earned the reputation as one of the ablest instructors in Canada as well as a precision pilot of note." While at Borden, Grandy was noted for landing his 504K (no brakes) on the tarmac between the World War One hangars and stopping on the flight line within a foot of where he had been parked, the leading edges within inches of the aircraft on the flightline.
Grandy left the CAF in 1923, joining the Vachon brothers and Mr. Jack Caldwell at Laurentide Air Services. He flew the first "regular" mail flight in Canada carrying treaty money to James Bay destinations. The aircraft flown was a Vickers Viking MkIV (Napier Lion II powered) registered G-CAEB. The actual engine is on display at the National Aviation Museum in Ottawa, Ontario. Between the conflicts Grandy did some early work spotting seals from the air and directing sealers to the herds. He was also asked to work and provide advice to Canadian Vickers on various flying boat endeavors, most notably the Vancouver and Vanessa. A note of possible interest, Grandy's license was # 105 in Canada.
January of 1925 saw Grandy returning to uniform. He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force at Borden and was immediately given his old title of F/L, OC "A" Flight. His exceptional skills were utilized in all phases of service flying including cold weather trials, photography, mapping and mail service. He was one of a select few pilots certified to test and qualify both military and civil pilots as flight instructors. He was also the testing pilot for the Webster Trophy contests.
After leaving Borden early in 1926 he began a series of postings. Some of the stops were Winnipeg (his furthest posting west throughout his long career) where he became OC of a Bomber Reconnaissance Squadron flying Cansos. A very rewarding stop was at Shirley's Bay and Rockcliffe, Ontario, where he was named Commander of both stations at the rank of Squadron Leader. These postings led to him receiving the first Order of the British Empire for an RCAF Officer in peacetime, and a nomination for the McKee Trans Canada Trophy. On a somber note, he was CO at Rockcliffe and an eyewitness when Victoria Cross winner William Barker was killed in a Fairchild aircraft. Grandy also served as Liaison Officer to the RAF in London for one year. Another stop of note was RCAF Station Trenton where he took command of the floatplane base and the Air Navigation School. He would also be detached on occasion to a Flying Training School at Borden, Ontario. During the winter of 1937-38 there was a humorous encounter between the now Wing Commander Grandy and Pilot Officer Len J. Birchall. The story, as told to me by Mr. Birchall, went like this:
"My first encounter with your grandfather was when I was a new P/O Provisional at Trenton doing my ab initio flying training. At one stage we had to do a cross country to Camp Borden and return the same day. I had previously trained with Signals at Borden and had met some attractive young ladies in the area. I asked permission to do my trip with an overnight stay. This was refused and I was told the only way it could happen was if the weather closed in and would not allow a trip back to Trenton. So, every morning I would listen to the weather broadcast for a storm headed from Buffalo. When one appeared, I did my flight plan and headed for Borden.
All went well until Peterborough where I ran into a storm much earlier than anticipated. Determined to have my night out with the girls, I flew at ground level all the way to Lake Simcoe until I found the highway to Barrie. Now over familiar terrain, it was treetop level to Borden where I had to climb to clear the hangar line. They had to send a car out to find me in the blizzard and to lead me into the hangar line. There I was met by a very irate C/O, none other than your grandfather. We stood toe to toe while he gave me the worst dressing down I have ever had in my life!!
After I had been brought down to size, I was told everyone else had landed as soon as the storm hit and I was the only one not accounted for. The ENTIRE search and rescue organization was out looking for the "crashed" aircraft. I then told your grandfather what I had done and why. He walked me into his office and had me take off my flying suit only to find me wearing 'civvies' for my hopeful night out. He had me put the flight suit back on, had me come to attention then informed me I had been placed on charge, been found guilty of violating every rule in the book for flying through the storm, for wearing civilian clothes while on duty, etc. etc., and that he had given me a reprimand as punishment. This, in lieu of a 'SEVERE' reprimand which would have gone on my record. He then said that I had probably had a very bad experience and what I really needed was a drink. So, he took me to the Officers' Mess and bought me a couple!! Incidentally, my real punishment was being confined to the station so I never did get to see the gals in Barrie that night.
The next day he came to see me and my Fleet Finch off to Trenton. When I got back I was again met by a very irate C/O, Group Captain Allen Hull who promptly put me under arrest, confined me to quarters and started Court Martial proceedings to have me thrown out of the RCAF. This all came to a very abrupt halt when Wing Commander Grandy came to my rescue and informed G/C Hull that he had already put me on charge, found me guilty and punished me, thus I could not be tried again for the same 'crime'. I am positive your grandfather knew exactly what he was doing when he charged me in Borden. He was saving me from the wrath of G/C Hull who was known as an extremely strict disciplinarian."
With Mr. Birchall's career now safe, he remained in the RCAF and went on to become known as 'The Saviour of Ceylon'. The title was given after Birchall and his crew of 413 Squadron, RCAF, spotted a Japanese naval force destined to attack Ceylon. Sometimes I ponder as to what might have happened had grandfather not intervened on that blustery Ontario day.
Shortly after this incident, W/C Grandy found himself Commanding Officer of RCAF Station Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. He was quickly promoted to Group Captain and the day after a little gold trim was added to the peak of his cap, found himself along with Lewis Leigh aboard a ship in Halifax having a tot and seeing the boys from No. 1 Squadron off to Europe. As Mr. Leigh recalls in his book, "And I Shall Fly," they too almost wound up heading across the pond. When Grandy and Leigh tried to leave the troop carrier some sharp MPs reasoned that they were a couple of airmen who had turned yellow. After much wrangling they made it back to Dartmouth where my grandfather apparently said, "What damn good are these bloody scrambled eggs if they can't even get me off a ship"?!
Dartmouth was a wonderful posting for Grandy. He was once again close to the sea. Here he accumulated many flying hours on various aircraft. His logbook suggests that his favorite was the Supermarine Stranraer. I suspect from tales I have been told it was because it afforded him an occasional visit to places like Lunenburg where, tied up to the Bluenose I, he could have a tot with the boys and talk about the fishery. Before I go any further I should state that Grandy was always a very conscientious member of the Air Force. Many people have said, the late A/M C.R. Slemon included, that Grandy was one of the most liked and respected members of the RCAF by not only his peers and superiors but especially by the airmen and women serving under him. Another interesting point about Stranraers and Dartmouth was that Grandy seemed to like to fly as much as possible with a young 'Devil May Care' Flight Lieutenant Len J. Birchall!!
On September 28, 1940, G/C Grandy landed at RCAF Station Borden once again. This trip he was named Commanding Officer of the station and No. 1 Service Flying Training School. According to my Mom, he enjoyed it thoroughly and managed a lot of flying and instruction time. With all of the wing parades that took place between his arrival and his posting out again in 1942, plus his early instruction days, Air Marshall Roy Slemon stated that G/C Grandy had pinned more wings on aspiring young airmen than any RCAF Officer. A rather grandiose statement to make and probably not provable, but Slemon was adamant. One gent of note was a fellow Newfoundlander, Harry Hayward, who went on to many accomplishments in Europe as a Spitfire pilot. Grandfather must have been especially tickled as his photo album contains three endorsed shots of the 'pinning.' Two things worth noting during his stay was the visit by Air Commodore, HRH, The Duke of Kent in 1941, and the filming of 'Captain of the Clouds,' starring James Cagney.
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May 11, 1942 was a special day for 'Sailor Bill' as he was given the task to once again command an operational station. This time, Torbay in his native Newfoundland. He probably could not have been happier. Although away from directly instructing fledglings, he was once again close to the sea. I have just recently been introduced to a wonderful gentleman from Harbour Grace. His name is Mr. Lamont Parsons and he resides in St. John's. |
Mr. Parsons was a Squadron Leader Spitfire and Hurricane pilot of note during World War Two, although he is far too humble to say much about it. Lal, as he is known by family and friends has written me on various occasions with memories of Grandy while they were both serving at Torbay. I'll share one brief one with you:
"He and I were the only Newfoundland pilots on the station which, I suppose, led to a few quiet conversations. I will always remember him going around in his unpretentious way in his battle dress, wedge cap and knee rubber boots in the mud and slop of construction. Having time to stop and speak with the Newfoundland workmen. He never forgot he was a Newfoundlander. I particularly remember one morning before daylight in June 1942 when he came in to my room and said ,"Get up Parsons, the caplin are rolling." And we were off to the beach in Outer Cove in his staff car. By breakfast time there were caplin on the table and the CO defied anybody not to try this Newfoundland dish".
Although not overseas during World War II, Grandy was once again Mentioned in Despatches as he had during World War One.
The Citation Reads: "This officer has been an operational station commander over a long period. At all times he has maintained a high degree of efficiency in the units under his command and the energy, tact and understanding shown by him have earned the respect and loyal support of all who have served under him."
At war's end in 1945, my grandfather was offered a promotion to Air Commodore but retired as the prospect of "flying a desk" was unappealing. Instead, the family moved to Eastern Passage, Nova Scotia, and he became an instructor at the Halifax Aero Club. He and my grandmother, Lilias Collett, originally from Harbour Buffett, Newfoundland, eventually retired to Middle Lahave, Nova Scotia. Over the next fifteen years he taught many including a very large number of Air Cadets, some of whom went on to careers as pilots in the Air Force. His dedication and natural ability for passing-on his knowledge to others really became a lifelong endeavor and love affair.
In 1988, G/C Grandy, OBE, was inducted into Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame at Wetaskawin, Alberta.
The Citation Reads: "Roy S. Grandy's flying expertise was remarkable as were his leadership abilities. Despite adversity he took the guess-work out of the centuries old industry of sealing. Perhaps of greatest benefit to Canadian Aviation was his dedication to the younger generations of pilots whom he trained and groomed to his own standards of excellence."
Sailor Bill Grandy passed away in 1965 at Toronto, Ontario, after a lengthy battle with cancer. I was only nine at the time and not all of my memories of him are clear. But I do remember that he was a wonderful and giving family man. I would liked to have known him much better, but thanks to people like Mr. Lamont Parsons and Mr. Len Birchall, I have become extremely proud of not only his accomplishments, but especially how he treated other people in and out of the military. I would like to thank Mr. Darrell Hillier for asking me to write this. I hope it is enjoyed especially by the people of Newfoundland. My grandfather was a very humble, even self effacing gentleman. He was asked on more than one occasion to write his autobiography, but refused saying that all he did was his job and treat others as he would like to be treated. As Grandy would say, "CHEERS and HAPPY LANDINGS".
Mike Vacheresse
Spruce Grove, Alberta
August 13, 2000
All photos compliments Mike Vacheresse
