John Hollington Grayburn

John Hollington Grayburn VC (30 January 1918 - 20 September 1944) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Grayburn was a 26-year-old lieutenant in The Parachute Regiment, British Army, (Army Air Corps) during the Second World War. Between September 17-20, 1944 during the Battle of Arnhem, the Netherlands, 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 enemy fire, moving among his men and 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.

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Parachute Regiment and Airborne Forces Museum at Aldershot, Hampshire, in England.

References

*British VCs of World War 2 (John Laffin, 1997)
*Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
*The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
* [http://www.thedorsetpage.com/history/vc/john_hollington_grayburn.htm Profile]