'Private Samuel Harvey V.C.', 1915

Cigarette card published by Gallaher Limited, Belfast and Liverpool, Number 87 from the 4th series of the 'The Great War Victoria Cross Heroes' series; a set of 200 cigarette cards, 1915.

Portrait of Private Samuel Harvey, 1st Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment, from a photograph by Central News.

The caption on the reverse notes that Harvey 'won this honour for conspicuous bravery in "Big White" trench, Sept 29th. 1915. Bombs were urgently required for our front, and as the communication trench was blocked with reinforcements and wounded, Harvey crossed and re-crossed the fire-swept open bringing up 30 boxes of bombs. He was then wounded in the head'.

Cigarette cards were produced from the mid 1870s until the end of World War Two (1939-1945). Used to strengthen thin cigarette packs the cards were quickly developed into advertising devices. Series of cards covering every conceivable subject, from sportsmen to flora and fauna, were produced to encourage collectors and potential smokers alike.