Ian began his military service by enlisting in the Manchester Regiment at the outbreak of the war. After earning his commission, he transferred to The Gordon Highlanders. Driven by a desire for more challenging assignments, Ian volunteered for service with the Commandos. Unfortunately, his time with the Commandos was interrupted by illness, leading to plans for his discharge from active duty. Despite this setback, Ian managed to convince the Medical Board to allow him to continue his military service. Not only did he remain in the army, but he also successfully arranged a transfer to the Special Air Service (SAS).

At that time, the SAS was engaged in highly dangerous parachute operations behind enemy lines in France, as well as other special operations to support the Allied advance.

Operation Rupert

Ian was one of eight SAS members selected to participate in a critical mission. The team departed from RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire aboard a Stirling Bomber IV, designated LJ-882 [L9-H], accompanied by a crew of five. Alongside other aircraft from 190 Squadron, their objective was to carry out 'Operation Rupert'—a mission to deliver SAS specialists, weapons, and supplies to the French Resistance in France.

The Final Mission

The mission faced severe challenges due to poor weather conditions. The designated Drop Zone was in the area around Joinville, France. However, hazardous weather caused the crew to lose their bearings. In an attempt to re-establish their position, the aircraft descended to a lower altitude. Tragically, this manoeuvre resulted in the plane striking high ground west of Graffigny-Chemin, leading to the deaths of five airmen and eight Brittish soildiers from the SAS on board: there were three survivors. The SAS soldiers were from a reconnaissance party intending to attack the German lines of communications to the Normandy front around St.Dizier. In addition to carrying human cargo, the aircraft was also loaded with explosives, weapons, food and money for the French Resistance.

The Germans identified Ian Grant as one of the soldiers on board the aircraft when it came down on 23^rd July 1944 as evidenced by the Record Card.

After the crash, members of the French Resistance initially buried the bodies at the crash site so as to stop the Germans from finding them. In 1946, due to difficulties in positively identifying the remains, the bodies were exhumed and reburied with full military honours in a communal grave, each with a separate headstone.

Tragically, another aircraft on the same mission—LJ894—met a similar fate. It too lowered altitude to regain navigational accuracy and crashed into high ground, resulting in the loss of all crew members.

Second son of John Leslie Grant & Ida Emily Grant of Oxton, Birkenhead, Cheshire

A copy of Ian's story is available for download here.

Revised: November 2025