VICTORIA CROSS

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVII, Issue 23111, 27 January 1945, Page 5

VICTORIA CROSS

Posthumous Award RUGBY, Jan. 25. The posthumous award of the Victoria Cross has been made to Lieutenant J. H. Grayburn, of the Parachute Regiment, Army Air Corps, fol' “supreme courage, leadership, and devotion to duty” at Arnhem. Lieutenant Grayburn was a platoon commander of a parachute battalion dropped on September 17 with the task of seizing and holding a bridge over the Rhine at Arnhem. Lieutenant Grayburn led his platoon on to the bridge and attacked the Germans, who opened a fierce fire, wounding Lieutenant Grayburn in the shoulder. He continued to advance with great bravery until the casualties became so heavy that he was ordered to withdraw. He directed the withdrawal and was the last man to leave the embankment.

Later his platoon was ordered to occupy a house which was vital to the defence of the bridge. The enemy attacked the house incessantly, but although it was difficult to defend, Lieutenant Grayburn held out, constantly exposing himself to enemy fire as he visited and encouraged his men. Eventually the house was set on fire and had to be evacuated. Tank Forces Withdrawal

Lieutenant Grayburn then took command of all arms, including the remainder of his own company, and organised a defensive position to cover the approaches to the bridge. The enemy brought up tanks and forced Lieutenant Grayburn to withdraw further north, and the enemy attempted to lay demolition charges under the bridge. Lieutenant Grayburn led a fighting patrol and drove the enemy off. He was again wounded, this time in the back, but he refused to be evacuated.

Finally an enemy tank made the position untenable, and Lieutenant Grayburn, in full view of the tank, directed the withdrawal. He was killed that night after having led his men with supreme heroism over a period of three days, although in pain, weakened by his wounds, short of food, and without sleep.