Francis Octavius Grenfell

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Captain Francis Grenfell VC

Francis Octavius Grenfell VC (4 September 1880 - 24 May 1915) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

An Etonian who represented his school at cricket, Grenfell first served in the Boer War in the King's Royal Rifle Corps.

He was 33 years old, and a Captain in the 9th Lancers, British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 24 August 1914 at Audregnies, Belgium, Captain Grenfell rode with the regiment in a charge against a large body of unbroken German infantry. The casualties were very heavy and the captain was left as the senior officer. He was rallying part of the regiment behind a railway embankment when he was twice hit and severely wounded. In spite of his injuries, however, when asked for help in saving the guns, by the commander (Ernest Wright Alexander) of the 119th Battery, Royal Field Artillery, he and some volunteers, under a hail of bullets, helped to manhandle and push the guns out of range of enemy fire.

He was killed in action, Hooge, Belgium, on 24 May 1915.

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Regimental Museum of the 9th/12th Royal Lancers (The Strand, Derby, England).