John Hollington Grayburn
Lieutenant, The Parachute Regiment (Army Air Corps)
- Register No.
- 485 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Lieutenant all Lieutenants →
- Unit
- The Parachute Regiment (Army Air Corps) all Parachute Regiment VCs →
- Date of action
- 17–20 September 1944 on this day → all of 1944 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Second World War
- London Gazette
- 25th January 1945 on this day → all of 1945 →
- Born
- 30th January 1918 on the island of Manora, India
- Died
- 20th September, 1944 at Arnhem, Holland. (killed in action)
- Award
- Posthumous all posthumous VCs →
- Memorial / grave
- Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery, Holland and in the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank, in Gracechurch Street, London
Digest of citation
During the period 17th/20th September, 1944 at Arnhem, Holland, at the assault on the bridge over the Rhine, Lieutenant Grayburn led his men with supreme gallantry and determination. Although wounded early in the action, in pain, short of food and without sleep, his courage never flagged. He constantly exposed himself to the enemy's fire, moving among his men encouraging them, and seemed oblivious to danger. If it had not been for his inspiring leadership and personal bravery, the Arnhem Bridge could never have been held for this time
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
GRAYBURN, John Hollington. (reg No. 485).
Lieutenant. The Parachute Regiment (Army Air Corps).
London Gazetted on 25th January 1945.
Born on 30th January 1918 on the island of Manora, India.
Died on 20th September, 1944 at Arnhem, Holland. (killed in action).
Memorial at Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery, Holland and in the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank, in Gracechurch Street, London.
Digest of Citation reads: During the period 17th/20th September, 1944 at Arnhem, Holland, at the assault on the bridge over the Rhine, Lieutenant Grayburn led his men with supreme gallantry and determination. Although wounded early in the action, in pain, short of food and without sleep, his courage never flagged. He constantly exposed himself to the enemy's fire, moving among his men encouraging them, and seemed oblivious to danger. If it had not been for his inspiring leadership and personal bravery, the Arnhem Bridge could never have been held for this time.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery, Holland and in the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank, in Gracechurch Street, London
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
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