VINTAGE AND RARE HONOURABLE ORDER OF THE BATH C.B. CASED MEDAL SET 1960 AWARD

Offered is an original example of The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, Companion (C.B.), Military, in original case of issue as awarded to Air Marshal Sir E.M.F. Grundy, Royal Air Force whose distinguished career saw him take a role in the 'Battle of the Beams', become Chief Signals Officer of SHAPE and Senior Air Staff Officer for the British Joint Services Mission to Washington.

Silver-gilt and white enamel Maltese cross with ball-tipped finials, with a silver-gilt lion between each of the arms and with leaf-decorated fan and eyelet between the upper arms with ribbed ring for neck ribbon suspension; the face with a circular central white enamel medallion imposed bearing a gilt sceptre from which issue a rose (for England), a thistle (for Scotland) and a shamrock (for Ireland), red-enamel-lined gilt crowns above and to left and right below, within a red enamel ring inscribed in gilt letters ‘TRIA JUNCTA IN UNO’ (three joined in one) within a green enamel and silver-gilt laurel wreath with amber and orange berries, a blue enamel ribbon below inscribed in gilt letters ‘ICH DIEN’ (Old German = I serve), a gilt outline to each arm panel; the reverse identical; height excluding suspension ring 58.64mm (2.31) inches, diameter 50.82mm (2 inches); on correct thin neck ribbon with hook and eye fastenings; in original fitted embossed leatherette case of issue by Garrard & Co. of Regent Street, London, by appointment to Her Majesty the Queen. This came from an auction of his medals and effects and comes with a copy of his service history.

The Order was instituted by King George I on 18 May 1725 and restructured in 1815 when the numbers of members increased and again in 1847 when a civil division was added. Membership is limited to citizens of the United Kingdom and of other Commonwealth countries of which the monarch is sovereign, though honorary awards may be made to prominent foreigners. The statutes limit membership (other than honorary awards to foreigners) to 120 Knights or Dames Grand Cross (G.C.B.), 355 Knights Commander (K.C.B.) or Dames Commander (D.C.B.) and 1,925 Companions (C.B.). Appointments to Membership the Military Division are limited to senior serving officers. Appointments as Knight or Dame Grand Cross (G.C.B.) must be of the rank of at least Rear Admiral, Major General or Air Vice Marshal, to Knight Commander (K.C.B.) or Dame Commander (D.C.B.) of Captain in the Royal Navy, Colonel or Group Captain and Companions (C.B.) of Lieutenant Commander, Major or Squadron Leader and to have been mentioned in despatches whilst in a command role in combat. The appointment of non-line officers to Membership of the Order may only be made for service in combat. A superb example.

C.B. London Gazette 1 January 1960.

Air Marshal Sir Edouard Michael Fitzfrederick Grundy was born on 29 September 1908 and was educated at St Paul's School before entering the RAF College at Cranwell in 1926 as a Flight Cadet with 'A' Squadron. While studying here, he joined the College fencing team and was promoted Cadet Flight Sergeant. Graduated to the rank of Pilot Officer with No 56 Squadron at North Weald on 28 July 1928. Transferred to No. 403 flight, (Fleet Air Arm) on 2 May 1929, he was promoted Flying Officer on 28 January 1930. After falling ill Grundy was listed as Supernumerary and remained such from 26 September 1931-25 April 1932. Having completed a specialist course at the Electrical and Wireless School he took up a staff role at Biggin Hill.

Grundy took part in an exchange posting with the Royal New Zealand Air Force on 11 June 1937 and promoted Squadron Leader that same year on 1 October. Promoted to Temporary Wing Commander on 1 June 1940. Appointed C.O. of No. 80 (Signals) Squadron on 22 April 1942, this unit was formed two years earlier to deal with the threat of German Bombers being radar-guided to their targets. This led to the so called 'Battle of the Beams', an arms race between German radar and British countermeasures. Fortunately No. 80 Squadron were able to limit the damage of German night bombing raids. Promoted Temporary Group Captain on 1 September 1942 and Wing Commander on 23 October 1942, being confirmed in the rank the next year.

Posted to North-West Africa, Grundy took a position in Air Staff Headquarters on 1 March 1943, receiving a 'mention' for his work (London Gazette 2 June 1943). He later took on the role of Deputy Chief Signals Officer of the Mediterranean Allied Air Forces on 15 Jan 1944. However he did not remain in the role long moving to HQ Middle East Command 27 April 1944 and received his second 'mention' here (London Gazette 8 June 1944). Promoted Group Captain 4 September 1944. With the end of the war in 1945 Grundy was appointed Commandant of the Empire Radio School before moving to become Deputy Director of Air Staff Policy in 1947.

With the founding of NATO in 1949 Grundy became Air Advisor to the Royal Norwegian Air Force and helped with their post-war development, the RNoAF having acquired radar in 1947. Appointed Chief Signals Officer of the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe in 1951, promoted Air Commodore here on 1 January 1952. After studying at the Imperial Defence College 1953 he became Senior Air Staff Officer for the British Joint Services Mission to Washington. The next year Grundy was made Chairman of the NATO Military Agency for Standardisation, being promoted Air Vice Marshal while serving in this role on 1 January 1955. He continued in this role until becoming the Air Officer Admin for Headquarters Far East Air Force on 1 November 1958. Having left East Asia he was appointed Commandant-General of the RAF Regiment & Inspector of Ground Defence on 5 May 1961. Finally he became Controller in Guided Weapons and Electronics for the Ministry of Aviation on 1 June 1962; promoted Air Marshal on 1 July 1963.

Upon retiring from the Royal Air Force on 7 January 1966, Grundy joined Short Brothers and Harland as Chairman in 1968. This role saw him take on the Presidency of the Society of British Aerospace Engineers in 1975. He retired from business in 1976 and died on 15 June 1987.