William Hamilton Grant was born on 14th May 1899, receiving his education at Haileybury College. He served during the Great War as a 2nd Lieutenant with 'C' Company, 1st Battalion, Royal Highlanders, arriving in France on 30th July 1918. The Battalion spearheaded the crossing of the formidable Sambre Canal on 4th November that year, when elsewhere the German front was collapsing. Thick orchards and high hedges made command difficult, though a bridgehead was soon established. When 'C' Company attacked the nearby village of Mezieres, a German gun crew waved a white flag, feigning surrender. Having lured the hapless 'C' Company towards them, the crew opened fire, causing severe casualties. Lieutenant Grant was wounded during this incident. Such dishonorable tactics backfired on the Germans and the infuriated Scotsmen soon cleared the position, taking 133 prisoners and capturing five guns. Grant's medal pair were delivered to him at The Caledonian Club, St. Jame's Square. 

Grant served in Palestine during the 1936-39 Arab Revolt and after as spell in Northern Ireland became, on 23rd May 1944, a British Liaison Officer to the US Forces, VIII (Eastern) District. In this capacity he was awarded the US Legion of Merit. The original citation reads:

Grant has consistently performed outstanding services of invaluable aid to this Headquarters...his untiring efforts have contributed greatly to the procurement of materials, suppliers and labour from British sources with the absolute minimum of delay and confusion. His assistance in this connection during the staging of airbourn units in the District contributed materially to the successful completion of the District's mission in support of these operations. Lt-Col. Grant has consistently maintained superior relations between British agencies and this headquarters and has spared himself no trouble at any time to perform any task or grant any request ever made of him. His sleflessness and devotion to his work here has, at all times, far and away exceeded that which would be expected as a normal performance of duty, resulting in the highest personal respect and esteem of all US personnel and ideally amicable and efficient relartions with British agencies. His outstanding performance of duty reflects great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of Great Britain and the Allies. 

Grant retired on 13th July 1949, with the honorary rank of Lt-Col. He was awarded an OBE for his services. Sold with comprehensive research including battalion war diaries, gazette entries, photo of his wedding (wearing the WW1 pair) etc. A strong combination with a confirmed Legion of Merit for Overload operational support.