Robert Cuthbert Grieve
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Robert Cuthbert Grieve | |
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June 19, 1889–October 4, 1957 | |
Place of birth | Brighton, Victoria |
Place of death | Melbourne, Victoria |
Allegiance | First Australian Imperial Force |
Years of service | 1915-1918 |
Rank | Captain |
Unit | A Company, 37th Battalion, 3rd Division |
Battles/wars | Battle of Messines |
Awards | Victoria Cross |
Robert Cuthbert Grieve (June 19, 1889–October 4, 1957) was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. He was the great nephew of Sergeant-Major John Grieve, also a Victoria Cross recipient. He attended Caulfield Grammar School and Wesley College, both in Melbourne, Australia.
He was 27 years old, and a Captain in the 37th Battalion (Victoria), Australian Imperial Force during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 7 June 1917 at Messines, Belgium, during an attack on the enemy's position, and after his own company had suffered very heavy casualties, Captain Grieve located two hostile machine-guns which were holding up his advance. Under continuous heavy fire from the two guns, he succeeded in bombing and killing the two gun crews, then reorganized the remnants of his own company and gained his original objective. Captain Grieve set a splendid example and when he finally fell, wounded, the position had been secured.
Grieve's medal is held by Wesley College, Melbourne and has been lent to the Shrine of Remembrance where it is on display.
[edit] References
This page has been migrated from the Victoria Cross Reference with permission.