Sir John Graham, 3rd Baronet

Lieutenant Colonel Sir John Reginald Noble Graham, 3rd Baronet VC OBE (17 September 1892 – 6 December 1980) was a British 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.

Graham was a 24-year-old lieutenant in the 9th Battalion, The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's), attached to 136 Company, Machine Gun Corps during the First World War in the Samarrah Offensive when he performed a deed for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross.

On 22 April 1917 at Istabulat, Mesopotamia, Lieutenant Graham was in command of a machine-gun section which came under very heavy fire. When his men became casualties he insisted on carrying the ammunition and although twice wounded, he continued in control and with one gun opened accurate fire on the enemy. This gun was put out of action and he was again wounded and forced to retire, but before doing so he disabled his gun and then brought a Lewis gun into action with excellent effect until all the ammunition was expended. He was wounded yet again and was again forced to retire.

During World War II he was given a temporary rank of lieutenant colonel and worked for Scottish Command. He was awarded the King Haakon VII's Cross of Liberty. From 1959 to 1979 he was Usher of the Green Rod to the Order of the Thistle. He succeeded his father to the Baronetcy in 1936. He died aged 82 in Edinburgh.

His medals are held by the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum in Stirling Castle.

References

• Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
• The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
• Scotland's Forgotten Valour (Graham Ross, 1995)

External links

• History of Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
• Location of grave and VC medal (Edinburgh)