Defending Gallery

William Thompson's fight off Poole, Dorset, 30 May 1695

William Thompson's fight off Poole, Dorset, 30 May 1695. Thompson was a local fisherman whose fishing boat was fired on by a French privateer near the Isle of Purbeck. Although outnumbered 3 to 16, and with few weapons, he defended himself bravely for two hours, and wounded some of the French aggressors. The French ship finally got into difficulties and Thompson took control, sailed her into Poole and received a reward from the Lords of the Admiralty. Date: 1695

© Mary Evans Picture Library

Maidens defending a castle from invading knights, 13th C

Maidens defending a crenellated castle from invading knights by throwing flowers, from a carved ivory mirror. Women combing their hair and making floral wreath from a parchment drawing 13th century. Chromolithograph from Hefner-Alteneck's Costumes, Artworks and Appliances from the Middle Ages to the 17th Century, Frankfurt, 1889. Illustration by Dr. Jakob Heinrich von Hefner-Alteneck, lithographed by C.R. Dr. Hefner-Alteneck (1811 - 1903) was a German museum curator, archaeologist, art historian, illustrator and etcher

© Florilegius

NWFP - The Buffs East Kent Regiment at Bilot

NWFP - 1st Bn, East Kent Regiment ( The Buffs) - section under Lance Corporal James Smith VC under heavy fire at the village of Bilot in the Mamund Valley, India (now Pakistan) on 16th September, 1897 (Mohmand Campaign). Smith, who was twice severely wounded, continued to command his section and only lay down when he received a direct order to do so, and even then continued to fire on the enemy. It was the decided opinion of the officers present that it was only the gallantry of these thirteen men of the Buffs, the sappers and miners, that saved the whole party from complete annihilation and the British guns from capture. Date: 1897

© Mary Evans / Grenville Collins Postcard Collection