John Grieve

Sergeant-Major, 2nd Dragoons (Royal Scots Greys)

VC
Register No.
494 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
Rank
Sergeant-Major (register: Sergeant Major) all Sergeant-Majors →
Unit
2nd Dragoons (Royal Scots Greys) all Royal Scots Greys VCs →
Date of action
25 October 1854 on this day → all of 1854 →
Conflict / campaign
Crimean War
London Gazette
24th February, 1857 on this day → all of 1857 →
Born
3rd May, 1822 at Musselburgh, Midlothian, Scotland
Died
1st December, 1863 at Inveresk, Midlothian, Scotland
Memorial / grave
not known

Digest of citation

On 25th October, 1854 at Balaclava, Crimea, an officer in the heavy cavalry charge was surrounded by Russian cavalry and in great danger. Sergeant-Major Grieve rode up to his rescue, cutting off the head of one Russian and dispersing the others

From Alf Askin's research notes

Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.

GRIEVE, John. (reg No. 494).

Sergeant-Major. 2nd Dragoons (Royal Scots Greys).

London Gazetted on 24th February, 1857.

Born on 3rd May, 1822 at Musselburgh, Midlothian, Scotland.

Died on 1st December, 1863 at Inveresk, Midlothian, Scotland.

Memorial not known.

Digest of Citation reads: On 25th October, 1854 at Balaclava, Crimea, an officer in the heavy cavalry charge was surrounded by Russian cavalry and in great danger. Sergeant-Major Grieve rode up to his rescue, cutting off the head of one Russian and dispersing the others.

Additional information:. Before enlisting in the Grey's it is said, that as a young man, "he ran through a small fortune." It was while serving in the Crimean War that he rose to the rank of sergeant major. When offered a commission, and coming into more money, he accepted it. On 18th February, 1859 He was made adjutant of his regiment, a position he held until his death in 1863 at the age of 41. He was the great uncle of Captain Robert Cuthbert Grieve VC. (reg No. 495).

Additional information

Before enlisting in the Grey's it is said, that as a young man, "he ran through a small fortune." It was while serving in the Crimean War that he rose to the rank of sergeant major. When offered a commission, and coming into more money, he accepted it. On 18th February, 1859 He was made adjutant of his regiment, a position he held until his death in 1863 at the age of 41. He was the great uncle of Captain Robert Cuthbert Grieve VC. (reg No. 495).

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Alf recorded the memorial as: not known

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