Grieve was 34 years old, and a sergeant-major in the 2nd Dragoons (Royal Scots Greys), British Army at the Battle of Balaclava during the Crimean War when the following deed took place on 25 October 1854 at Balaklava, Crimea, for which he was awarded the VC.

His citation in the London Gazette read: Saved the life of an Officer, in the Heavy Cavalry Charge at Balaklava, who was surrounded by Russian Cavalry, by his gallant conduct in riding up to his rescue and cutting off the head of one Russian, disabling and dispersing the others.

[1]The British Army awards in the first list of Victoria Crosses in the London Gazette of 24 February 1857 and in the first VC investiture held at Hyde Park, London, on 26 June 1857, followed the Royal Navy and Royal Marine awards.

The grave lies in the centre of the section of the original churchyard west of the church.

A number of references including the 1997 edition of The Register of the Victoria Cross list Sergeant Major John Grieve VC (Crimea, 1854) and Captain Robert Cuthbert Grieve (Belgium, 1917) as great uncle and great nephew.