THE PRO PATRIA PROJECT

GRANT-DALTON Stuart

Captain, Yorkshire Regiment and Royal Flying Corps

Wing Commander, New Zealand Permanent Air Force

CITATION

Distinguished Service Order

For conspicuous gallantry and resource.  When on return from escort duty, his observer, Second Lieutenant Paris discovered one of our machines which had been forced to land in enemy country owing to damage by hostile fire.  Captain Grant-Dalton with great gallantry, landed, destroyed the machine which was past repair, and returned ninety miles to his aerodrome with his observer and the pilot of the other machine.

(This incident was an aftermath of a bombing raid on the Turkish positions at El Arish, on 18 June 1916)

Bar to the Distinguished Service Order

For outstanding gallantry in action.  He attacked two hostile aeroplanes although quite unsupported.   Later after being attacked by another enemy machine and wounded in three places, he brought his machine back and landed safely

(He lost a leg as a result of wounds received in this action)

Air Force Cross

Awarded 3 June 1919

Citation not available - In the period preceeding the award Wing Commander GRANT-DALTON commanded 32 32 Training Wing RAF, with units at Suez, Ismailia, Kantara, Abu Sueir, and in Palestine.

Mention in Despatches

April 1915

For Distinguished Service in the field

Mention in Despatches

1 December 1916

From General Sir Archibald MURRAY's despatch.

More than half the month of Julu passed without any important occurrence on the Eastern Front.  On July 19th however, the situation suddenly changed.  A reconnaissance by the Royal Flying Corps revealed the fact that a large enemy force had moved westwards from El Arish and established itself on the line Bir El Abd - Bir Jameil - Bir Bayaud .... I cannot sppeak to highly of the work of the Royal Flying Corps during the whole period .  Thier work is extremely arduous and exhausting  The average total daily reconnaissance during the period amounted to 23hrs 15 mins, and during the first five days of August to as much as 31hrs 30mins.  many pilots and observers were outtwo or three times a day for several consecutive days under very accurate anti-aircraft fire and were frequently engaged in air combats with enemy machines of superior power. 

(Included in the list of officers 'mentioned' in this despatch was the name of Captain S. GRANT-DALTON, DSO)

Order of the Nile (Class 4)

Confered by the Sultan of Egypt 20 November 1916

Citation not available - During the period preceeding this award Flight Lieutenant GRANT-DALTON  served with 14 Squadron RFC in Egypt

KNOWN AWARDS

Distinguished Service Order and bar

Air Force Cross

1914 Star

British War Medal

Victory Medal

      Mention in Despatches (2)

Order of the Nile (Egypt)

NOTES

Born 5 April 1886, Bournemouth, Hampshire, England

Died 1971, Pinhoe, Devon, England

Served as OC NZ Permanent Air Force (NZPAF) 1 October 1929 to 30 September 1931 as a pilot