abandon the building. Lieutenant Grayburn then assumed command
of a composite force, including the remnants of his own company,
reorganising them into a coherent ghting unit. Throughout the night, he
oversaw the creation of a new defensive position to block approaches
to the bridge.
At dawn, he extended the defence through aggressive ghting
patrols, denying the enemy access to surrounding houses. The
Germans responded with tanks, subjecting his position to such
heavy re that withdrawal became unavoidable. Soon afterwards,
the enemy attempted to lay demolition charges under the bridge.
Recognising the danger, Jack led a patrol that drove them
back, allowing the fuses to be removed. He sustained another
wound — this time to the back — but again refused evacuation.
Finally, an enemy tank advanced to close range, making his position
untenable. Standing fully exposed, Lieutenant Grayburn directed the
withdrawal of his men, staying until the very end despite his serious
injuries. When his wound reopened, he bandaged it himself and carried
on.
On 20 September, the battle was reaching its end. The surrounding
buildings were shattered shells, lled with smoke and dust. Ammunition
was low; the enemy was closing in. Jack rose from cover to direct
the nal defence, signalling to his men to hold their re until the last
moment. It was then that a sniper’s bullet struck him. He fell where he
had stood, in full view of his men, still facing the enemy.
Over those four long days, from 17–20 September 1944, Jack Grayburn
repeatedly exposed himself to heavy enemy re to direct defensive
positions, rally his men, and attempt to secure the southern end of the
bridge. Wounded multiple times, he refused medical evacuation and
continued leading his platoon.
On 24 January 1946, Jack’s remains — recovered from the ruins of
a building at Arnhem — were reburied at Arnhem Oosterbeek War
Cemetery. The inscription on his headstone reads: “YET SHALL HE
LIVE. ST JOHN XI.25.”