page_title: Francis Octavius Grenfell
section_title: Victoria Cross
hierarchical_section_title: Francis Octavius Grenfell / Family / Victoria Cross
caption_attribution_description: English: Detail of the memorial board in the cloisters of Canterbury Cathedral to the officers and men of the 9th (Queen's Royal) Lancers who died during the First World War. In particular are visible the names of the Grenfell twins, who were both killed in action whilst serving with the regiment.
context_page_description: Francis Octavius Grenfell, VC was an English soldier of British Army. He received the Victoria Cross. The cross is the highest award for bravery against the enemy, and can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
context_section_description: Later, he served in First World War in the 9th Lancers, British Army. He was 33 years old and a Captain, when he was awarded the VC for the following brave deed.
  On 24 August 1914 at Audregnies, Belgium, Captain Grenfell rode with the regiment in a charge against a large body of unbroken German infantry. Damages of friendly army were so heavy, and Grenfell was left as the senior officer. When he was reorganizing the regiment behind a railway bank, he was twice hit and severely wounded. But once he was asked to save the guns by Major Ernest Wright Alexander of the 119th Battery, Royal Field Artillery, Grenfell and some volunteers helped to push the guns out of range of enemy fire, under a shower of bullets. London Gazette on 16 September 1914 wrote as follows:
  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.
caption: Detail of the memorial showing the names of the Grenfell twins.
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