This is a specially produced bookplate bearing the genuine signature of Battle of Britain Ace George ‘Grumpy’ Unwin mounted underneath a pencil portrait by Steve Teasdale. This bookplate is constructed of sepia recycled card and will fit most books on the Battle of Britain. 
After completing his training Unwin was posted to 19 Sqn at Duxford
On 3rd March 1939 Unwin was preparing to make a forced-landing, following engine failure. As he came down he saw children playing in the field in which he had chosen to land. He deliberately crashed in Spitfire K9797.
On 19 Squadron's first operational sortie Unwin was not rostered to fly, he complained loudly and was given the nickname 'Grumpy', this stuck throughout his service.
Over Dunkirk on 27th May 1940 he destroyed a Hs126, on the 28th a Me109 and on 1st June a Me110 and probably another. On a later patrol that day he shared in the probable destruction of a He111.
On 16th August Unwin claimed a Me110 destroyed and probably another, on 3rd September a Me110 destroyed, on the 7th two Me109s, on the 11th a probable He111 and a Do17 damaged, on the 15th three Me109s destroyed, on the 18th a Me110 destroyed and a Ju88 shared and on the 27th another Me109 destroyed.
He was awarded the DFM (gazetted 1st October 1940).
On 5th November Unwin claimed a Me109 destroyed, on the 15th he shared a Me110 and on the 28th shared a Me109. He was awarded a Bar to the DFM (gazetted 6th December 1940) and on 29th December went to 2 CFS Cranwell for an instructors course.