Horseback Gallery

British trooper meets French woman on the road to Lille, WW1

A poignant scene captured by the Sphere magazine's special artist, Fortunino Matania showing a British trooper riding through a devastated French landscape and stopping to speak to a French woman and her child. According to the caption, the woman explains that her home has gone and her husband had been killed at Verdun. Date: 1919

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans

The Ghent Altarpiece by Jan van Eyck (c.1390-c.1441), 1430-3

Gothic Art. Belgium. 15th Century. The Ghent Altarpiece, also known as The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb or The Lamb of God. Early Flemish polyptych panel painting. Commisioned from Hubert van Eyck (1385/90-1426) and executed by his brother Jan van Eyck (c.1390-c.1441), 1430-32. Open view. Detail. Lower left panel. Just Judges and the Knights of Christ. Oil on oak. Saint Bavo Cathedral. Ghent

© Thaliastock / Mary Evans

Captain F. O. Grenfell V.C., of the 9th Lancers

Grenfell was 33 years old, and a Captain in the 9th (Queen's Royal) Lancers, British Army during the First World War when the following deed during the Action of Elouges 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 Major 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. The citation was gazetted on 16 September 1914 and read: Captain Francis Octavius Grenfell (1880-1915), recipient of the Victoria Cross. One of fifteen children, and twin brother of Riversdale Grenfell, also in the 9th Lancers who was killed in September 1914. He won his VC 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. He was killed in action on 24 May 1915 and is buried in the Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery. The Tatler quotes the Daily Mail who describe his deed as such: A gallant deed was that of Captain F. O. Grenfell o fthe 9th Lancers. He was hit in both legs and had two fingers shot off at the same time. Almos as he received the wounds a couple of guns posted near were deprived of their servers, all f whom save one man were struck by bursting shrapnel. The horses for the guns had been placed under cover. We'll get the guns back, cried Captain Grenfell, and at the head of a number of his men and in spite of his wounds, he did manage to harness the guns up and get them away. H

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans