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Lieutenant JOHN HOLLINGTON GRAYBURN

Service Number: 149002
Regiment & Unit/Ship

The Parachute Regiment, A.A.C.

2nd Bn.

Date of Death

Died 20 September 1944

Age 26 years old

Buried or commemorated at

ARNHEM OOSTERBEEK WAR CEMETERY

13. C. 11.

Netherlands

Photos of sites in the Netherlands shared by Jack Sheeran, September 2019: Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery. Images taken in relation to production 'Arnhem' podcast, episode 6 in a series of 'Legacy of Liberation' podcasts produced by the CWGC to mark the 75th anniversary of a number of major battles and events during the Second World War.

Photographer: Jack Sheeran

  • Secondary Unit, Regiment formerly Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry
  • Country of Service United Kingdom
  • Awards Victoria Cross
  • Additional Info Son of Lionel Markham Grayburn and Gertrude Grayburn; husband of Dorothy Constance Marcelle Grayburn, of Helensburgh, Dunbartonshire.
  • Personal Inscription "YET SHALL HE LIVE" ST. JOHN XI.25
  • Additional Citation note

    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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