Dr Grieve grew up in a happy family. He was educated at Wesley College where he proved to be a good all-rounder in leadership, scholarship and games. In the junior school he was captain of cricket and football and dux in the senior school, a class captain, prefect and member of the cricket team. He entered the Melbourne University in 1910, graduated MB BS in 1916 and enlisted in the AIF in 1917. He saw active service in France as medical officer to 9 Battalion, where he was mentioned in dispatches, then in 3 Field Ambulance and finally in 3 General Hospital.

After demobilisation in October 1919 he continued his medical career by an appointment as resident medical officer to the Royal Children's Hospital. In 1920 he was senior resident and in 1921 was appointed the first registrar of the hospital, a position carrying administrative and clinical responsibility.

In 1923 he entered private practice in Collins Street and soon was appointed as outpatient physician to the Children's and St Vincent's Hospitals. His outstanding ability was rapidly recognised by the Children's Hospital and he was made honorary physician to inpatients in 1925, a post he held till 1947 when he resigned owing to ill health.

During the 20s and 30s paediatrics was not recognised as a clinical discipline in its own right, children being regarded as small adults. It was not possible to make a living in private consulting practice as a general paediatrician. Almost all experienced physicians and surgeons who held appointments in both children's and adult hospitals resigned their paediatric appointments as their private practice in adult medicine grew. It was not until the late 30s that Dr Grieve gave up his St Vincent's Hospital appointment and devoted the major part of his consulting practice to children. He was recognised as the leading consultant in children's diseases in Victoria. His standing as a physician in both adult and children's medicine was recognised by the medical faculty of the Melbourne University by his appointment as an examiner for the degree of doctor of medicine and lecturer in children's diseases, 1941-46. He was honorary secretary of the Paediatric Society of Victoria for many years, chairman of the hospital honorary medical staff 1940-41, and held a member of number of other offices.

Dr Grieve's family life was particularly happy. His wife and three children provided the home where he found peace and contentment from the heavy demands of practice and numerous committees. His family life was further enriched, for he had two brothers and a sister. His oldest brother was a distinguished soldier of 37 Battalion and a VC winner. The officers of his battalion held annual reunions to which 'Jock' was invited. They thought so highly of him that they subscribed to a fund to provide a prize to the medical student awarded the highest marks in paediatrics in the final year examination and also a ceremonial chair in the library recalling the name of JW ('Jock') Grieve and their affection and respect for him and his services to humanity in peace and war. This chair is suitably placed in the Royal Children's Hospital library which in 1949 was dedicated to him and named The Grieve Library.

Jock Grieve is best remembered by his students and colleagues as a very fine physician and teacher. He was a physician in the Oslerian mould. His method was careful history taking, thorough clinical examination and analysis of the clinical evidence in the light of pathology and his wide clinical experience. He was a model teacher as he taught by example, by delegating responsibility rather than directing. He encouraged, yet at the same time quietly demanded, thoroughness and responsibility. Aequanimitas - evenness or composure of mind - sums up his attitude to life and his practice and teaching of medicine.