Veterans' Memorial Project
Fred Ambrose Grove
River Forest, IL
World War II
Pilot Officer Grove was one of over 10,000 Americans who joined the British Royal Air Force and Royal Canadian Air Force prior to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and subsequent entry of their native country into World War II. Qualified American pilots like Grove were given a refresher course at one of four schools in the United States financed by the British Government. On May 29, 1941, Fred Grove completed the British Aviation Refresher Course at Polaris Flight Academy, Glendale, California. He was sent to Canada where he sailed from Halifax, Nova Scotia, to England. Upon arrival in England, Grove and his fellow American pilots traveled to London where they were commissioned Pilot Officers of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Pilot Officer Grove was training in Hawker Hurricanes at No. 56 Operational Training Unit, Sutton Bridge, England, at the time of his death. He is buried at St. Matthew Church, Sutton Bridge, England, Section Q, Grave 58.
-submitted by Andrea Thomas Ramsey, researcher, and Wally P. Fydenchuk, World War II researcher (**Ms. Ramsey has access to letters and photos related to Mr. Grove which she would like returned to family members. Contact this veterans’ Web site for further information.)
