Life Story
Lieutenant John “Jack” Hollington Grayburn VC was a British Army
ofcer remembered chiey for his extraordinary bravery during the
Battle of Arnhem in World War II.
John ‘Jack’ Hollington Grayburn was born on Manora Island (now in
Pakistan) on 31 January 1918 to British parents — Lionel Markham
Grayburn, a banker, and Gertrude Grayburn (née Hollington). He was
baptised in St Paul’s Church, Manora, on 5 May 1918. Grayburn was
educated at Walton Lodge Prep School and then Sherborne Prep
School in Dorset. Jack was extremely keen on sports and was made
Captain of Boxing at Sherborne in 1935. He was later described by
Headmaster A.R. Wallace as “a most resolute ghter in the ring”. He
was also a House Prefect in Abbey House, as well as a keen rugby
player and swimmer.Jack is shown below (front right), Abbey House
Senior XV, 1935.
(photo from Sherbourne School Archives)