Ian Grant was the son of William Edward and Gertrude Isabella Grant (nee Rowntree), of Mission Bay, Auckland, New Zealand. Brother of Veronique.

Student of Mount Albert Grammar School

Three brothers died in service: William Edward Grant, died of illness on the 2 February 1932 while serving with the Royal Air Force; Ian Allan Charles Grant (NZ391351) was killed on 13 February 1943 and Reginald Joseph Cowan Grant (NZ421969) was killed on the 28 February 1944.

He was flying under the command of his brother, Squadron Leader R.J. Grant (NZ421969), in the Tangmere sector of No 20 Fighter Group. In their first patrols from Tangmere the New Zealanders saw little action, but early in February there was a lively engagement with German fighters over Abbeville. Shortly after crossing the French coast the Spitfires were directed by their ground control towards a formation of some fifteen FW190's which they soon sighted and attacked. But while they were engaged with this force a further twenty Focke-Wulfs suddenly swept down out of the sun, and in the hard fighting that followed three New Zealand Spitfires were shot down. In the midst of the battle Squadron Leader grant, who was leading No. 485 that day, had the distressing experience of seeing his younger brother (Flying Officer I.A.C Grant (NZ391351) shot down before he could intervene to save him. He did, however, succeed in destroying the German fighter which made the attack.

Portrait in Wynn, K. (1981). His medals, photographs and other papers are held in the Mackrell Collection, Auckland War Memorial Museum. Reg and Ian Grant Memorial Cup. The trophy was presented to the Mount Albert Grammar School in 1945 by their father and sister. Inscribed for the Open Sprints Champion, it has been awarded every year since. Both Reg and Ian were noted athletes in their time at the school. The Battle of Britain: 10 July- 31 October 1940

Attended Mount Albert Gramar School (Source: RNZAF Biographies (R17845610)) AWMM