Captain Francis Grenfell led the 9th (Queen's Royal) Lancers in action at Audregnies, on 24 August 1914 at the Battle of Bergen, against a large number of German infantry advancing to encircle the 5th Division. This action was later compared with the Charge of the Light Brigade because it showed great courage but brought little to fruition. Later that day Grenfell and his men helped to tow away British guns which threatened to be captured. In this painting the artist seems to have combined the two events.
Although not the first action of the First World War (1914-1918) for which the Victoria Cross was awarded, Grenfell was the first to be commended, i.e. officially mentioned in 'The London Gazette' as a recipient. The quote was for 'courage in action against uninterrupted infantry in Audregnies and for brave behaviour in helping to save the guns of the 119th Battery, Royal Field Artillery, near Doubon on the same day'. Grenfell was killed at Hooghe near Ypres on 24 May 1915. The first VC to be won in the war was on 23 August 1914 by Lieutenant M J Dease, Royal Fusiliers.
Audregnies is a village in the Belgian province of Hainaut and part of the Walloon municipality of Quiévrain.
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