14 Facts About Julian Grenfell

Julian Grenfell was born at 4 St James's Square, London, the eldest son of William Grenfell, later Baron Desborough, and Ethel Priscilla Fane, daughter of Julian Fane.

Julian Grenfell was educated at Eton where he was good friends with Denys Finch Hatton, Edward Horner, and latterly with Patrick Shaw-Stewart.

Julian Grenfell was commissioned in the British Army in 1907 and eventually attached to the 1st Dragoons in 1910.

Julian Grenfell was initially sent out to India, where he enjoyed the big game hunting but found military service tedious and his fellow officers rather dull.

Julian Grenfell then moved with his regiment to South Africa, which Julian greatly disliked.

Julian Grenfell's unit became de facto infantry soldiers, and despite all the discomforts and dangers he continued to write upbeat letters to his family and friends.

Julian Grenfell became aware that lives were being regularly lost to German snipers.

On 13 May 1915 as a captain in the 1st Dragoons, Julian Grenfell stood talking with a General Campbell.

When he said "I think I shall die" his friends objected, but Julian Grenfell insisted "you see if I don't".

Julian Grenfell initially seemed to be holding his own, but a X-Ray showed he had an extensive skull fracture, and underlying brain injury.

For ten long hot days his mother and father sat by his bedside, while Julian Grenfell remembered happier times in younger years at Taplow Court with his mother, and recited poetry, particularly his favourite, the ancient Greek tragedy Hippolytus by Euripides.

Julian Grenfell was 27 years old and was buried at the Boulogne Eastern Cemetery; his mother covered his grave with oak leaves and wild flowers sent by his younger sister from home.

On 11 November 1985, Julian Grenfell was among 16 Great War poets commemorated on a slate stone unveiled in Westminster Abbey's Poets' Corner.

Today Julian Grenfell is most remembered for his poem "Into Battle" written in May 1915, the closing lines read;.