The Angel of Mons, 1914 (c)

Oil on canvas by R Crowhurst, 1920 (c).

A vision of two winged angels with drawn swords protect a soldier while he reloads his rifle, standing over a wounded comrade.

The Angel of Mons was an apparition reputed to have appeared in the sky to safeguard British soldiers during the retreat from Mons in August 1914. The origin of this supernatural occurrence was a fictional short story published in the 'Evening News' in September 1914, in which English bowmen killed at the Battle of Agincourt (1415) rose up to defend their countrymen in the contemporary conflict.