Sgt. R. H. Gretton joined No. 266 Squadron in late May 1940. He was posted to No 222 Squadron in mid-September.
While on patrol on the 27th of September 1940 he was bounced by  Bf 109's and shot down, crashing his Spitfire (R6720) near Rainham, Essex at 12:00hrs. He spent the next five months recovering from a fractured pelvis and spine.
He returned to operational flying in November 1941 for three months before being posted for a further two months treatment and rehabilitation in February 1942, when he was also awarded the D.F.C.
He returned to duty in April with the Aircraft Delivery Flight, where he remained for the duration.