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NAME:                      Grayburn, John Hollington
RANK:                      Lieutenant
UNIT:                      Army Air Corps formerly Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
BATTALION ETC:             2nd Battalion Parachute Regiment
REGIMENTAL NUMBER:         149002
HOW DIED/DATE OF DEATH:    20th September 1944
WHERE BURIED/COMMEMORATED: Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery, Gelderland, Netherlands
OTHER INFORMATION:         V.C. Age 26. Son of Lionel Markham & Gertrude Grayburn.
                           Husband of Dorothy Constance Marcelle Grayburn of Helensburgh, Dunbartonshire.
Citation for V.C.:
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.