Cecil Grenfell
1864 - 1924
1864 - 1924
Cecil Alfred Grenfell was born in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, on February 13, 1864, one of fifteen children of Pascoe du Pré Grenfell and his wife Sophia. He was educated at Eton.
Cecil Alfred Grenfell was born in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, on February 13, 1864, one of fifteen children of Pascoe du Pré Grenfell and his wife Sophia. He was educated at Eton.
He rode in three Grand Nationals, all of them on the 1892 winner Father O’Flynn, whom he had bought from his Australian-born owner Gordon Wilson the following year.
He rode in three Grand Nationals, all of them on the 1892 winner Father O’Flynn, whom he had bought from his Australian-born owner Gordon Wilson the following year.
Cecil rode Father O’Flynn for the first time in public in the Army and Navy Chase at Hawthorn Hill on October 23, 1893, finishing second. He then partnered him to victory over Aintree’s Grand National fences on November 11 in the Joliffe Steeplechase, beating future Grand National winner Wild Man From Borneo by six lengths. They followed up by winning the Quorn Hunt Chase at Leicester in December.
Cecil rode Father O’Flynn for the first time in public in the Army and Navy Chase at Hawthorn Hill on October 23, 1893, finishing second. He then partnered him to victory over Aintree’s Grand National fences on November 11 in the Joliffe Steeplechase, beating future Grand National winner Wild Man From Borneo by six lengths. They followed up by winning the Quorn Hunt Chase at Leicester in December.
Their first Grand National attempt in 1894 ended in fall, but they then finished seventh in 1895 and, in 1896, came with a late run to finish second, beaten a length and a half by The Soarer, ridden by another amateur, David Campbell.
Their first Grand National attempt in 1894 ended in fall, but they then finished seventh in 1895 and, in 1896, came with a late run to finish second, beaten a length and a half by The Soarer, ridden by another amateur, David Campbell.
Cecil rode Father O’Flynn for the last time at Leicester on February 18, 1897, finishing third in the three-mile Harrington Handicap Chase.
Cecil rode Father O’Flynn for the last time at Leicester on February 18, 1897, finishing third in the three-mile Harrington Handicap Chase.
In March 1898, he married Lady Lilian Spencer-Churchill, daughter of George Spencer-Churchill and sister of Sir Winston Churchill. They had two daughters. That same year, he was appointed a captain in the Buckingham Yeomanry.
In March 1898, he married Lady Lilian Spencer-Churchill, daughter of George Spencer-Churchill and sister of Sir Winston Churchill. They had two daughters. That same year, he was appointed a captain in the Buckingham Yeomanry.
Following the outbreak of the Second Boer War in South Africa in October 1899, he was seconded in February 1900 for active service with the Imperial Yeomanry, being commissioned as a lieutenant. He was later promoted to the rank of colonel.
Following the outbreak of the Second Boer War in South Africa in October 1899, he was seconded in February 1900 for active service with the Imperial Yeomanry, being commissioned as a lieutenant. He was later promoted to the rank of colonel.
He was elected as the Liberal candidate for Bodmin in the January 1910 General Election. He chose not to stand again at the December 1910 election when the seat was regained by the Liberal Unionists.
He was elected as the Liberal candidate for Bodmin in the January 1910 General Election. He chose not to stand again at the December 1910 election when the seat was regained by the Liberal Unionists.
Of his eight brothers, three died on the battlefields, one, Robert, in the cavalry charge at the Battle of Omdurman, Khartoum, in 1898, and two in the First World War.
Of his eight brothers, three died on the battlefields, one, Robert, in the cavalry charge at the Battle of Omdurman, Khartoum, in 1898, and two in the First World War.
A tablet commemorating Robert Grenfell, can be seen at Beaconsfield Church.
A tablet commemorating Robert Grenfell, can be seen at Beaconsfield Church.
Cecil Grenfell died in Berkshire on August 11, 1924, aged 60, leaving £1,182.
Cecil Grenfell died in Berkshire on August 11, 1924, aged 60, leaving £1,182.