John was born on 20 June 1907 as Samuel Grizzard in Whitechapel, London to Seymour and Poland born mother Leah nee Isaacs and had an older sister Evelyn. In 1921, the family lived at 13 Glaserton Road, Stoke Newington and Seymour worked as an auctioneer. The family surname was originally Grizzard and the family originated from the Netherlands.

John worked as a typewriter salesman before enlisting into the RAF in 1940. John’s parents both died the following year after his death. Leah died on 17 April 1943 at the Prince of Wales Hospital, Tottenham and Seymour died five months later on 21 September 1943 at Hertford Cottage Hospital.

John was killed during a thirty six hour attack on Luqa airfield. In the early hours of the morning the Luftwaffe launched the first attack of a 36 hour campaign against Malta’s airfields, targeting the aircraft on the ground. During the morning alone there are over 80 enemy sorties over the Island.  Luqa was attacked by 30 aircraft, damaging the airfield and four Wellingtons on the ground. Between 22.20 and 05.31 there were raids on aerodromes and shipping in Grand Harbour. Four military personnel were killed.

Private Arthur Sigrist, 4th Battalion, The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment). 
Private Charles Holford, 2nd Battalion, The Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment
Cpl John Granard, RAF
Cpl Edgar Verney, RAF.

John is buried in Malta Naval Cemetery and is also commemorated on his parent’s grave at Rainham Jewish Cemetery.