Personal information | |
---|---|
Age | 26 |
Nationality | British |
Date / place of birth | Unknown |
Genealogy | Son of Lionel Markham Grayburn and Gertrude Grayburn. Husband of Dorothy Constance Marcelle Grayburn, Helensburgh, Dunbartonshire, Scotland, U.K. |
Military information | |
Army Number | 149002 |
Rank | Lt. |
Function | Unknown |
Platoon / Troop / Flight | Unknown |
Company / Squadron | Unknown |
Unit / Group | 2nd Battalion 1st Parachute Brigade |
Division / Transport / Command | 1st Airborne Division |
Regiment | Army Air Corps Parachute Regiment |
Decoration | Victoria Cross Victoria CrossThe Victoria Cross (VC) was founded in 1856 to honour those who show exceptional courage with the enemy in site. It is the highest award a British soldier can receive. It is made of bronze out of a canon used in the \'Crim War\'. Since 1856 a total of 1400 VC\'s were issued. Only 106 in the WW II period. Those who receive this very rare award receive an annual tax-free amount of 1300 pound. Common Wealth members Canada and Australia consider it as national inheritance material which means it should never leave the country. A total of five VC\'s were issued for soldiers who fought at Arnhem. You can read the full stories on the Victoria Cross Award section. Close |
Death information | |
Died when | 20-9-1944 |
Died where | Arnhem |
Spot | Near road Bridge |
Map reference | Unknown |
Burial location | |
Grave number | 13-C-11 |
Graves overview | Graves overview Close |
Miscellaneous information | |
Personal notes | |
The following details are given in the London Gazette of 23rd January, 1945:- Lt. Grayburn was a platoon commander of the Parachute Battalion which was dropped on September 17th, 1944, with orders to seize and hold the bridge over the Rhine at Arnhem. He, with his platoon, was to capture the southern end. Lt. Grayburn was wounded in the shoulder almost immediately, but he directed and pressed the assault until casualties became so heavy that he was ordered to withdraw. Later, he successfully organized the occupation of a house vital to the defence of the bridge. Although heavily attacked throughout the next day and night, thanks to Lt. Grayburn\\'s courage, leadership, and skill in disposing his men, the house was held until it was set on fire on September 19th, and had to be evacuated. Lt. Grayburn then formed a fighting force of elements of all arms, including the remainder of his company. Although wounded again, this time in the back, he refused to be evacuated. When tank attacks, against which he had no defence, finally forced his retreat on September 20th, he stood up in full view of the enemy, and directed the withdrawal of his men to the main defensive perimeter. He was killed that night. For nearly four days, despite pain and weakness from his wounds, shortage of food and lack of sleep, Lt. Grayburn displayed supreme and unflagging gallantry and determination. Without his inspiring leadership the Arnhem bridge could not have been held for so long. | |
Close
Personal information | |
---|---|
Age | 26 |
Nationality | British |
Date / place of birth | Unknown |
Genealogy | Son of Lionel Markham Grayburn and Gertrude Grayburn. Husband of Dorothy Constance Marcelle Grayburn, Helensburgh, Dunbartonshire, Scotland, U.K. |
Military information | |
Army Number | 149002 |
Rank | Lt. |
Function | Unknown |
Platoon / Troop / Flight | Unknown |
Company / Squadron | Unknown |
Unit / Group | 2nd Battalion 1st Parachute Brigade |
Division / Transport / Command | 1st Airborne Division |
Regiment | Army Air Corps Parachute Regiment |
Decoration | Victoria Cross Victoria CrossThe Victoria Cross (VC) was founded in 1856 to honour those who show exceptional courage with the enemy in site. It is the highest award a British soldier can receive. It is made of bronze out of a canon used in the \'Crim War\'. Since 1856 a total of 1400 VC\'s were issued. Only 106 in the WW II period. Those who receive this very rare award receive an annual tax-free amount of 1300 pound. Common Wealth members Canada and Australia consider it as national inheritance material which means it should never leave the country. A total of five VC\'s were issued for soldiers who fought at Arnhem. You can read the full stories on the Victoria Cross Award section. Close |
Death information | |
Died when | 20-9-1944 |
Died where | Arnhem |
Spot | Near road Bridge |
Map reference | Unknown |
Burial location | |
Grave number | 13-C-11 |
Graves overview | Graves overview Close |
Miscellaneous information | |
Personal notes | |
The following details are given in the London Gazette of 23rd January, 1945:- Lt. Grayburn was a platoon commander of the Parachute Battalion which was dropped on September 17th, 1944, with orders to seize and hold the bridge over the Rhine at Arnhem. He, with his platoon, was to capture the southern end. Lt. Grayburn was wounded in the shoulder almost immediately, but he directed and pressed the assault until casualties became so heavy that he was ordered to withdraw. Later, he successfully organized the occupation of a house vital to the defence of the bridge. Although heavily attacked throughout the next day and night, thanks to Lt. Grayburn\\'s courage, leadership, and skill in disposing his men, the house was held until it was set on fire on September 19th, and had to be evacuated. Lt. Grayburn then formed a fighting force of elements of all arms, including the remainder of his company. Although wounded again, this time in the back, he refused to be evacuated. When tank attacks, against which he had no defence, finally forced his retreat on September 20th, he stood up in full view of the enemy, and directed the withdrawal of his men to the main defensive perimeter. He was killed that night. For nearly four days, despite pain and weakness from his wounds, shortage of food and lack of sleep, Lt. Grayburn displayed supreme and unflagging gallantry and determination. Without his inspiring leadership the Arnhem bridge could not have been held for so long. | |
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John H. Grayburn, Lt.
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Operation Market Garden: The Digital Monument
Roll of Honour: British 1st Airborne Division
September 17th 1944 - September 25th 1944
Featuring:
- 1796 personal KIA files
- 547 portrait photo's
- 1700 headstone photo's
Created by Remco Hendriks
Contents by the Market Garden Foundation
On September 19th, 2019, a honorary monument is unveiled in memory of F/Lt. Lord, recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest British military decoration.
Click here to view the profile of F/Lt. Lord