“To write of Jack Grayburn as a soldier one must, I think, start with
the Regiment because he was rst and foremost a true Regimental
ofcer. He joined the 43rd at Hatherleigh in the autumn of 1940.
One has only to take the names of the ofcers who joined at that
time and who have since fallen in action, William Blewitt, Rupert
Livingstone, John Cooper and Dick Seers, to realize the strength
of the Regimental team of ofcers which was then building up and
which was maintained through Jack’s three years with the 43rd.”
From a brother ofcer
“The greater part of Jack’s service with the Regiment was as
commander of the carrier platoon and he brought to it the full force
of his infectious enthusiasm. He combined a thorough and detailed
care of his men with a reckless dash in all training and exercises.
His men loved him for all this and so did his brother ofcers, and it
was not long before he became known as ‘Mad Jack.’
In the autumn of 1942 he did a course at the carrier wing of the
School of Infantry at Barnard’s Castle. I think this was a considerable
landmark, for Jack found there enthusiasm to match his own, and
returned with his ability as a commander increased and matured.
I remember fearing at this time that the humdrum round of training
would not satisfy Jack, but I need not have worried, for he set
to work undaunted and some excellent and original exercises
resulted.... At this time the Regiment was in a brigade commanded
by a Guardsman, an excellent and enthusiastic man who had certain
violent prejudices. Arthur Clerke Brown, who was brigade major,
summed up the latter as a violent antipathy to black buttons, battle
drill and General Browning. Despite the fact that Jack Grayburn had
distinct leanings towards all three, he completely won the heart of
the brigadier and was consulted on practically all matters of carrier
organization and tactics in the brigade.
An account of Jack’s time in the 43rd cannot end without mention of
his part in sport and particularly rugby football. I can see, and hear,
him now letting himself go with everything he had got, as in all he
undertook.”