Francis Octavius Grenfell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Francis Octavius Grenfell
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Francis Grenfell at Audregnies, Belgium, 24 August 1914
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| Buried |
Hooge Crater Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery
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| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 British Army |
| Years of service | 1900-1915 † |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | King's Royal Rifle Corps 9th Lancers |
| Battles/wars | Second Boer War World War I |
| Awards | Victoria Cross |
| Relations | Field Marshal Francis Grenfell, 1st Baron Grenfell (uncle) Julian Grenfell (cousin) Admiral John Pascoe Grenfell (grandfather) |
Francis Octavius Grenfell (born September 4, 1880 – died May 24, 1915) was an English soldier in the British Army. He was awarded the Victoria Cross (VC). This award is the highest honor for bravery given to soldiers in the British and Commonwealth forces. It is given for incredible courage when facing the enemy.
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A Family of Soldiers and Athletes
Francis Grenfell was born on September 4, 1880. His parents were Sophia and Pascoe Du Pré Grenfell. He was one of fifteen children in his family. He had a twin brother named Riversdale Grenfell. Riversdale also served in the 9th Lancers and sadly died in battle in September 1914. Their grandfather was Admiral John Pascoe Grenfell. Their uncle was Field Marshal Francis Grenfell, 1st Baron Grenfell.
Many of Francis's brothers and cousins also served in the military. For example, an older brother, Lieutenant Robert Septimus Grenfell, died in a cavalry charge during the Battle of Omdurman in 1898. Three other brothers, Cecil Grenfell, Howard Maxwell Grenfell and Arthur Morton Grenfell, became high-ranking officers (Lieutenant Colonel) in the British Army.
Francis was a talented cricket player when he was at Eton College. He joined the army in 1900. His first military experience was in the Second Boer War, where he served with the King's Royal Rifle Corps.
Francis Grenfell's Victoria Cross
Later, Francis Grenfell served in the First World War as a Captain in the 9th Lancers, part of the British Army. He was 33 years old when he earned the Victoria Cross for an incredibly brave act.
On August 24, 1914, at a place called Audregnies in Belgium, Captain Grenfell and his regiment rode their horses in a charge. They were attacking a large group of German infantry soldiers who were still organized. The British army suffered many losses during this attack. Captain Grenfell was left as the highest-ranking officer.
While he was trying to get his regiment back in order behind a railway bank, he was shot twice and badly wounded. But when Major Ernest Wright Alexander of the 119th Battery, Royal Field Artillery, asked for help to save their big guns, Captain Grenfell didn't hesitate. Even though he was hurt, he and some other brave volunteers helped push the heavy guns out of the enemy's firing range. They did this while bullets were flying all around them.
The official report in the London Gazette on September 16, 1914, described his actions:
For gallantry in action against unbroken infantry at Andregnies, Belgium, on 24th August 1914, and for gallant conduct in assisting to save the guns of the 119th Battery, Royal Field Artillery, near Doubon the same day.
Captain Francis Grenfell died in battle on May 24, 1915. He is buried in the Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery.
Francis Grenfell's Legacy
Today, Francis Grenfell's Victoria Cross medal is on display. You can see it at the Regimental Museum of the 9th/12th Royal Lancers. This museum is located inside the Derby Museum and Art Gallery in Derby, England.
Polo Skills
All nine of the Grenfell brothers were very skilled polo players. Francis and his twin brother Riversdale Grenfell were thought to be the best players in their family. Francis was rated with an 8-goal handicap, which is a very high skill level in polo.
The twin brothers were part of the Ranelagh team that won the American Open polo tournament. They also played on a team called Freebooters. With their teammates Leopold Christian Duncan Jenner and the Duke of Roxburghe, they won the Hurlingham Champion Cup at the Hurlingham Club.
Images for kids
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Grenfell's gravestone in Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery
