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Lot Essay
D.C.M. London Gazette 1.4.1915 'For gallantry on 24 August 1914, at Elouges, when he performed exceptionally good work and rendered great assistance to his Officer at a very critical time'.
Russian Medal for Bravery London Gazette 26.8.1915.
'There now began an extraordinary battle in which the entire IV Corps was launch against two British Infantry Battalions, part of two Cavalry Brigades, and four Batteries of Artillery. The Official History describes it as 'the flank guard action at Elouges' - a masterpiece of understatement. It was not only a full-scale battle but a crucial one, for against all the odds (and they were immense) Fergusson's and Allenby's men effectively stopped Kluck's attempt at envelopment in its tracks. They did more than that. They caused Kluck to lose another vital day, and in due course to take leave of his senses ... Throughout this unequal battle the British Artillery - 119th Battery and 'D', 'E' and 'L' Batteries, R.H.A. lost not a single gun. The Infantry were less fortunate' (David Ascoli's The Mons Star refers).
'Under the lee of the embankment a Battery Commandant and some dozen Gunners had taken shelter. They belonged to 119th Battery of the Royal Field Artillery, which had been put out of action, with the loss of most of its men and all of its horses, by the enemy's terrific shellfire. Captain Grenfell, 9th Lancers, at once determined that an attempt ought to be made to save the abandoned guns, and rode out alone to ascertain if there were any exit for them to the British lines. Some little distance beyond them he discovered a way of retreat, then coolly walked back to the embankment, amidst a tempest of shot and shell, with the object of minimising the risk of the undertaking in the eyes of his men. "We have got to save those guns", said he. "Who's going to volunteer?" and he reminded his men of how the 9th Lancers had saved a Battery at Maiwand, and of how in South Africa they had never failed the Gunners. Every man at once volunteered, and, leaving their horses behind the embankment, about a score of them, together with the survivors of the Battery, ran towards the guns. "It's all right, they can't hit us", observed Captain Grenfell coolly, and although more than one journey was necessary and they were exposed to a tremendous fire, they succeeded in man-handling the guns into safety, with the loss of only three men wounded, although, as the last gun was being got away, the German Infantry were close upon them' (Deeds That Thrill The Empire refers).
Russian Medal for Bravery London Gazette 26.8.1915.
'There now began an extraordinary battle in which the entire IV Corps was launch against two British Infantry Battalions, part of two Cavalry Brigades, and four Batteries of Artillery. The Official History describes it as 'the flank guard action at Elouges' - a masterpiece of understatement. It was not only a full-scale battle but a crucial one, for against all the odds (and they were immense) Fergusson's and Allenby's men effectively stopped Kluck's attempt at envelopment in its tracks. They did more than that. They caused Kluck to lose another vital day, and in due course to take leave of his senses ... Throughout this unequal battle the British Artillery - 119th Battery and 'D', 'E' and 'L' Batteries, R.H.A. lost not a single gun. The Infantry were less fortunate' (David Ascoli's The Mons Star refers).
'Under the lee of the embankment a Battery Commandant and some dozen Gunners had taken shelter. They belonged to 119th Battery of the Royal Field Artillery, which had been put out of action, with the loss of most of its men and all of its horses, by the enemy's terrific shellfire. Captain Grenfell, 9th Lancers, at once determined that an attempt ought to be made to save the abandoned guns, and rode out alone to ascertain if there were any exit for them to the British lines. Some little distance beyond them he discovered a way of retreat, then coolly walked back to the embankment, amidst a tempest of shot and shell, with the object of minimising the risk of the undertaking in the eyes of his men. "We have got to save those guns", said he. "Who's going to volunteer?" and he reminded his men of how the 9th Lancers had saved a Battery at Maiwand, and of how in South Africa they had never failed the Gunners. Every man at once volunteered, and, leaving their horses behind the embankment, about a score of them, together with the survivors of the Battery, ran towards the guns. "It's all right, they can't hit us", observed Captain Grenfell coolly, and although more than one journey was necessary and they were exposed to a tremendous fire, they succeeded in man-handling the guns into safety, with the loss of only three men wounded, although, as the last gun was being got away, the German Infantry were close upon them' (Deeds That Thrill The Empire refers).