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Le Cateau 1914
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Le Cateau 1914
With German forces nearly upon the field artillery at Le Cateau in northern France, Captain Douglas Reynolds leads a heroic rearguard action. Having brought up two teams of horses in the hope of saving at least two guns, one team of men was quickly shot down. Reynolds, with Drivers Frederick Luke, Job H.C. Drain and Gobley set off with one gun. Gobley was quickly hit, but with Reynolds riding alongside the now unguided centre pair of horses, the gun was rescued. Reynolds, Luke and Drain were all awarded Victoria Crosses for their heroic actions. Reynolds died after being wounded in action in 1916, Drain lived until 1975 and Luke until 1983
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Media ID 4413344
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10418099
Action Artillery Drain Frederick Heroic Luke Rearguard Douglas
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In this evocative image from the early days of World War I, Captain Douglas Reynolds leads a brave rearguard action to save at least two field guns from falling into German hands at Le Cateau in northern France, August 1914. With the enemy forces closing in, Reynolds quickly brings up two teams of horses in a desperate bid to salvage the artillery pieces. However, one team is shot down before they can reach the guns. Undeterred, Reynolds, along with Drivers Frederick Luke, Job H.C. Drain, and Gobley, set off with one gun. Tragically, Gobley is hit during the attempt, but Reynolds rides alongside the now unguided centre pair of horses, managing to rescue the gun from the battlefield. For their heroic actions, Reynolds, Luke, and Drain were all awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest military decoration for valor in the face of the enemy. Sadly, Reynolds did not survive the war, losing his life after being wounded in action in 1916. Luke lived until 1983, while Drain passed away in 1975. This historical photograph captures the raw courage and determination of the soldiers during the chaotic and brutal fighting of the Western Front in 1914. The image is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by the brave men and women who fought in the Great War.
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