Name
Julian Royds Gribble (VC)
5 January 1897
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
25/11/1918
21
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Captain
Royal Warwickshire Regiment
10th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Victoria Cross
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
NIEDERZWEHREN CEMETERY, KASSEL
Plot III, Row F, Grave 4
Germany
Headstone Inscription
SON OF GEORGE J. & MRS GRIBBLE OF 34 EATON SQUARE, LONDON AND KINGSTON RUSSELL HOUSE DORSET
UK & Other Memorials
Memorial plaque and window, St Martin's Church, Preston, War Memorial, St Peter's Church, Long Bredy, Dorset Regimental War Memorial, Memorial Chapel, Sandhurst, Surrey War Memorial, Eton College, Windsor, Berks, Individual VC Plaque beneath Chelsea War Memorial, London
Pre War
Julian Royds Gribble was born at 24 Lennox Gardens, Chelsea, London on 5 January 1897, the son of George James and Norah Gribble (nee Royds) and one of six children. He was baptised on 5th March 1897 at Holy Trinity Church, Upper Chelsea, London with their home address being given as Henlow Grange, Biggleswade. His father's occupation was described as 'Manchester & General Warehouseman' (Employer).
On the 1901 Census the family were living (with several servants) at Henlow Grange. From the age of 13 he attended Eton College. By the 1911 Census the family were living at Biddesden House, Andover, Hant.
His parents later lived at Kingston Russell House, near Long Bredy, Dorset and 34 Eaton Square, London, SW.
Wartime Service
Julian applied to join the Royal Navy in December 1914 but was turned down by the admiralty board. He then enrolled at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst and was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant into the Royal Warwickshire Regiment in May 1915. He went to the Front with the 10th Battalion on 25 May 1916 and by October 1918 was listed as Lieutenant, and later promoted to temporary Captain.
He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on 23 March 1918 at Beaumetz, Hermies Ridge, France. He suffered a bullet wound to the head and lost consciousness, but was resuscitated by the Germans and taken prisoner. He was held at a camp in Mainz where he recovered. On the news of winning the VC his fellow prisoners of war celebrated by carrying him around the camp on their shoulders. Sadly, he never saw his medal. Whilst waiting to be repatriated at the end of the war he caught pneumonia and died in Hameln Hospital on 25 November 1918, aged 21, a week after the war ended. His VC was presented to his family on 15 September 1919 by Brigadier-General Jackson at Dorchester, Dorset.
“For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. Capt. Gribble was in command of the right company of the battalion when the enemy attacked, and his orders were to ' hold on to the last.' His company was eventually entirely isolated, though he could easily have withdrawn them at one period when the rest of the battalion on his left were driven back to a secondary position. His right flank was ' in the air,' owing to the withdrawal of all troops of a neighbouring division. By means of a runner to the company on his left rear he intimated his determination to hold on until other orders were received from battalion headquarters - and this he inspired his command to accomplish. His company was eventually surrounded by the enemy at close range, and he was seen fighting to the last. His subsequent fate is unknown. By his splendid example of grit, Capt. Gribble was materially instrumental in preventing for some hours the enemy obtaining a complete mastery of the crest of ridge, and by his magnificent self-sacrifice he enabled the remainder of his own brigade to be withdrawn, as well as another garrison and three batteries of field artillery.” — The London Gazette, No. 30770, 25 June 1918.
Additional Information
His father received a war gratuity of £76 and pay owing of £ 8 6s 11d. Probate was granted to George James Gribble Esq on 7 February 1920 with effects of £834 2s 2d.
Julian's sister Leslie Grace married Hugh Seebohm and lived at Poynders End, nr Preston, until her sudden death in 1913. His sister Vivien served in the Women's Land Army.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Memorials to Valour Philip Wray - www.prestonherts.co.uk
www.fusiliers-association.co.uk/Warwickshire/History/Gribble%20VC.pdf
www.victoriacrossonline.co.uk/julian-r-gribble-vc/4586858784,
