World War II Victoria Cross Recipient. Born in Manora Island, India, he served as a Lieutenant in A Company, 2nd Parachute Battalion, British Army. On September 20, 1944, the Germans attempted to destroy the Arnhem Bridge, Netherlands. Lieutenant Grayburn led a charge, was wounded and forced the enemy to flee while Royal Engineers removed the fuses. With a bandage on his head and his arm in a sling, he continued to command a platoon when another attempt was made by the Germans to destroy the bridge. Lieutenant Grayburn once again led a patrol onto the bridge to remove the actual charges, when an enemy tank began firing. His men were suffering heavy casualties, but the charges were removed and Lieutenant Grayburn ordered the withdrawal. He stood up in full view of the tank, directing his men to safe positions and was riddled with bullets at point blank range from the tank's machinegun. He fell dead into the river and his body was lost. For unparalleled devotion to duty, he was posthumously promoted to Captain and awarded the Victoria Cross on January 25, 1945. In 1948, Lieutenant Grayburn's body was found and buried with honors at the Arnhem Oosterbeer War Cemetery, The Netherlands.
World War II Victoria Cross Recipient. Born in Manora Island, India, he served as a Lieutenant in A Company, 2nd Parachute Battalion, British Army. On September 20, 1944, the Germans attempted to destroy the Arnhem Bridge, Netherlands. Lieutenant Grayburn led a charge, was wounded and forced the enemy to flee while Royal Engineers removed the fuses. With a bandage on his head and his arm in a sling, he continued to command a platoon when another attempt was made by the Germans to destroy the bridge. Lieutenant Grayburn once again led a patrol onto the bridge to remove the actual charges, when an enemy tank began firing. His men were suffering heavy casualties, but the charges were removed and Lieutenant Grayburn ordered the withdrawal. He stood up in full view of the tank, directing his men to safe positions and was riddled with bullets at point blank range from the tank's machinegun. He fell dead into the river and his body was lost. For unparalleled devotion to duty, he was posthumously promoted to Captain and awarded the Victoria Cross on January 25, 1945. In 1948, Lieutenant Grayburn's body was found and buried with honors at the Arnhem Oosterbeer War Cemetery, The Netherlands.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
Inscription
PARACHUTE REGIMENT
ARMY AIR CORPS
FORMERLY OXF. & BUCKS L.I.
“YET SHALL HE LIVE”
ST. JOHN XI
Gravesite Details
Van Limburg Stirumweg 28, 6861 WL Oosterbeek
Family Members
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