[1] His siblings included Vivien Gribble, a wood engraver, who spent World War I in the Women's Land Army.

He was 21 years old, and a temporary captain in the 10th (S) Battalion, The Royal Warwickshire Regiment,[2] British Army during the First World War when he performed a deed for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross on 23 March 1918 at Beaumetz, Hermies Ridge, France.

His company was eventually entirely isolated, though he could easily have withdrawn them at one period when the rest of the battalion on his left were driven back to a secondary position.

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.

He is commemorated on the War Memorial at Long Bredy in Dorset, close to Kingston Russell House, which had been purchased by his father in 1913.