John H. Grayburn VC a Tribute on the 70Th Anniversary of the Battle of Arnhem from Chiltern Rugby FC
ARNHEM 2-4 MAY 2014 John H. Grayburn VC (30 Jan 1918 - 20 Sep 1944) A Tribute on the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Arnhem from Chiltern Rugby FC ohn ‘ Jack ’ Hollington Grayburn was born on Manora Island, India, on J30 January 1918. However, the family soon returned to England and settled at Roughwood Farm, Chalfont St. Giles. Jack and both of his brothers were educated at Sherborne School in Dorset. Although bright, he was not academically inclined, preferring his chosen sports of rugby and boxing. From 1927, Jack played for Chiltern Rugby FC during the school holidays and continued to represent them when he left Sherborne School in 1936, playing his last First XV game on 17 April 1939. Shortly before WW2 began, Jack joined 1st (London) Cadet Force, Queen's Royal Regiment, but he was later transferred to Ox & Bucks Light Infantry. In 1942, he met and married Marcelle Chambers, a secretary at the Headquarters staff, with whom he had a son, John. Jack , once described as a “belligerent individual”, was frustrated by years of inaction on the home front and so in early 1943 he joined 2nd Battalion, 1st Parachute Brigade, commanding 2 Platoon, ‘A’ Company. Chiltern RFC 1st XV 1938-39: John H. Grayburn (standing far right) BATTLE OF ARNHEM The Battle of Arnhem was part of Operation Market Garden, an attempt by the Allies to secure a string of bridges across Netherlands. At Arnhem, the British 1st Airborne Division and Polish 1st Independent Parachute Brigade were tasked with securing bridges across the Lower Rhine, the final and furthest objectives of the operation.
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