The Parachute Regiment

For supreme courage, leadership and devotion to duty.
Lieutenant Grayburn was a platoon commander of the Parachute Battalion which was dropped on 17th September,1944 with the task of seizing and holding the bridge over the Rhine at Arnhem
The North end of the bridge was captured and early in the night Lieutenant Grayburn was ordered to assault and capture the Southern end with his platoon. He led his platoon on to the bridge and began the attack with the utmost determination but the platoon was met by a hail of fire from two 20mm. quick firing guns, and from the machine guns of an armoured car. Almost at once Lieutenant Grayburn was shot through the shoulder. Although there was no cover on the bridge, and in spite of his wound, Lieutenant Grayburn continued to press forward with the greatest dash and bravery until casualties became so heavy that he was ordered to withdrew. He directed the withdrawal from the bridge personally and was himself the last man to come off the embankment into comparative cover.
Later, his platoon was ordered to occupy a house which was vital to the defence of the bridge and he personally organized the occupation of the house. Throughout the next day and night the enemy made ceaseless attacks on the house, using not only infantry with mortars and machine guns but also tanks and self-propelled guns. The house was very exposed and difficult to defend and the fact that it did not fall to the enemy must be attributed to Lieutenant Grayburn’s great courage and inspiring leadership. He constantly exposed himself to enemy’s fire while moving among and encouraging his platoon, and seemed completely oblivious to danger.

On 19th September 1944 the enemy renewed his attacks, which increased intensity as the house was vital to the defence of the bridge. All attacks were repulsed, due to Lieutenant Grayburn’s valour and skill in organizing and encouraging his men, until eventually the house was set on fire and had to be evacuated.
On 20th September 1944 he extended his defence by a series of fighting patrols which prevented the enemy gaining access to the house in the vicinity, the occupation of which would have a prejudiced the defence of the bridge. This forced the enemy to bring up tanks which brought Lieutenant Grayburn’s position under heavy fire that he was forced to withdrew to an area farther north. The enemy now attempted to lay demolition charges under the bridge and the situation was critical.
Realising this Lieutenant Grayburn organised and led a fighting patrol which drove the enemy off temporarily and gave time for fuses to be removed. He was wounded this time in his back, but refused to be evacuated.
Finally, an enemy tank, against which Lieutenant Grayburn had no defence, approached so close to his platoon that it became untenable. He then stood up in full view of the tank and personally directed the withdrawal of his men to the main defensive perimeter to which he had been ordered.
He was killed that night
From the evening of September 17th until the night of September 20th 1944 a period of over three days, Lieutenant Grayburn led his men with supreme gallantry and determination. Though in pain and weakened by his wounds, short of food and without sleep, his courage never flagged. There is no doubt that had it not been for this officer’s inspiring leadership and personal bravery, the Arnhem Bridge could never have been held for that time.

Lieutenant Grayburn had been born in India, and came from Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire. He was 26 when he was killed. He is buried in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery at Oosterbeek, Arnhem. His defence of the Arnhem Bridge was one of the great epics of war and was the basis for one of major scenes of the film A Bridge to Far. It seems more usually tragic that after his three-day stand against overwhelming odds Grayburn did not know of his VC award.