Francis Grenfell
1880 - 1915
1880 - 1915
Francis Octavius Grenfell and his twin brother Riversdale Nonus Grenfell were born on Saturday, September 4, 1880. They were the youngest of fifteen children. Their parents were Sophia and Pascoe Du Pre Grenfell.
Francis Octavius Grenfell and his twin brother Riversdale Nonus Grenfell were born on Saturday, September 4, 1880. They were the youngest of fifteen children. Their parents were Sophia and Pascoe Du Pre Grenfell.
An Etonian who represented his school at cricket, Francis joined the Seaforth Highlanders in 1900.
An Etonian who represented his school at cricket, Francis joined the Seaforth Highlanders in 1900.
‘Rivy’ went into banking.
‘Rivy’ went into banking.
Both Francis and his brother excelled at sport: both were outstanding horsemen who played polo and rode as amateurs over the jumps. Francis won a number of races at Aldershot and also finished second in the 1911 Past & Present Military Gold Cup riding Blue Hussar.
Both Francis and his brother excelled at sport: both were outstanding horsemen who played polo and rode as amateurs over the jumps. Francis won a number of races at Aldershot and also finished second in the 1911 Past & Present Military Gold Cup riding Blue Hussar.
Francis then sustained a season-ending injury on Knight Of Avon at Kempton: this prompted him to sell Blue Hussar at the same sale which saw 1910 Grand National winner Jenkinstown go for 3,400 guineas. Blue Hussar fetched a more modest 860 guineas.
Francis then sustained a season-ending injury on Knight Of Avon at Kempton: this prompted him to sell Blue Hussar at the same sale which saw 1910 Grand National winner Jenkinstown go for 3,400 guineas. Blue Hussar fetched a more modest 860 guineas.
This was not his first sporting injury: a first-class polo, he - by continuing to play - aggravated an earlier injury (July, 1910). This forced him - and his entire team - to pull out of an engagement in America that August.
This was not his first sporting injury: a first-class polo, he - by continuing to play - aggravated an earlier injury (July, 1910). This forced him - and his entire team - to pull out of an engagement in America that August.
At the outbreak of war, Francis joined the Ninth Lancers. Rivy, who had trained with the Bucks Hussars, transferred to the Ninth Lancers to join his brother.
At the outbreak of war, Francis joined the Ninth Lancers. Rivy, who had trained with the Bucks Hussars, transferred to the Ninth Lancers to join his brother.
They arrived at Mons, in Belgium, on 21 August, 1914. Three days later, Francis was in charge of B Squadron on the retreat Mons at Audregnies.
They arrived at Mons, in Belgium, on 21 August, 1914. Three days later, Francis was in charge of B Squadron on the retreat Mons at Audregnies.
During the fighting, his horse was shot from under him and he received wounds to his hand and thigh. The unit was ordered to charge a German machine gun position and, although they suffered heavy losses, they achieved their objective allowing the others to retreat in comparative safety.
During the fighting, his horse was shot from under him and he received wounds to his hand and thigh. The unit was ordered to charge a German machine gun position and, although they suffered heavy losses, they achieved their objective allowing the others to retreat in comparative safety.
Later that day Francis, leading a group of men, assisted the 119th Field Battery into moving their guns from heavy fire. This he did along with Major Ernest Alexander.
Later that day Francis, leading a group of men, assisted the 119th Field Battery into moving their guns from heavy fire. This he did along with Major Ernest Alexander.
They were both awarded the Victoria Cross.
They were both awarded the Victoria Cross.
Ernest was recognised by Aldershot Council as one of two residents to win the award, Maurice Toye being the other.
Ernest was recognised by Aldershot Council as one of two residents to win the award, Maurice Toye being the other.
On 14 September, 1914, Rivy - still in France - was shot dead whilst directing fire onto German positions. He was buried at Venresse Cemetery.
On 14 September, 1914, Rivy - still in France - was shot dead whilst directing fire onto German positions. He was buried at Venresse Cemetery.
Francis, back in England recovering from his wounds, was deeply affected by his brother’s death. He held a dinner party in honour of his twin: Winston Churchill was among the guests.
Francis, back in England recovering from his wounds, was deeply affected by his brother’s death. He held a dinner party in honour of his twin: Winston Churchill was among the guests.
He returned to France in April, 1915, when he and Major Ernest Alexander (whose wife and children spent most of the war living at Aldershot Manor, her childhood home) became involved in the second battle of Ypres, in which gas was used for the first time.
He returned to France in April, 1915, when he and Major Ernest Alexander (whose wife and children spent most of the war living at Aldershot Manor, her childhood home) became involved in the second battle of Ypres, in which gas was used for the first time.
On May 24, whilst leading his men, Francis suffered the same fate as his brother. He was shot and died shortly after.
On May 24, whilst leading his men, Francis suffered the same fate as his brother. He was shot and died shortly after.
Francis was buried in the Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery.
Francis was buried in the Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery.