"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. 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 20 mm quick firing guns, and from the machine guns of
an armored 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 withdraw. 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 defense 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 the 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 in intensity, as the house was vital to the defense of the
bridge. All attacks were repulsed, due to Lieutenant Grayburn's valor
and skill in organizing and encouraging his men, until eventually the
house was set on fire and had to be evacuated. Lieutenant Grayburn then took command of elements of all arms,
including the remainder of his own company, and re-formed them into a
fighting force. He spent the night organizing a defensive position to
cover the approaches to the bridge. On 20 September 1944, he extended his defense by a series of
fighting patrols which prevented the enemy gaining access to the houses
in the vicinity, the occupation of which would have prejudiced the defense of the bridge. This forced the enemy to bring up tanks which
brought Lieutenant Grayburn's positions under such heavy fire that he
was forced to withdraw to an area farther North. The enemy now attempted
to lay demolition charges under the bridge and the situation was
critical. Realizing this, Lieutenant Grayburn organized and led a
fighting patrol which drove the enemy off temporarily, and gave time for
the fuses to be removed. He was again wounded, this time in the back,
but refused to be evacuated. Finally, an enemy tank, against which Lieutenant Grayburn had no defense, approached so close to his position 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. Although 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 this time."
From Lt. Grayburn's Victoria Cross citation, awarded on January, 23 1945.
May you be at peace,
Brian
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