'How Corporal F. Kirby (Royal Engineers) won his Victoria Cross', 1900 (c)

Cigarette card published by Morris and Sons Limited, from a set entitled, 'Boer War, 1900', celebrating recipients of the Victoria Cross of the Boer War (1899-1902), 1900 (c).

Corporal Frank Howard, Royal Engineers, riding with a rescued comrade behind him.

Corporal Frank Howard Kirby (1871-1956) was awarded the Victoria Cross for saving the life of an unhorsed comrade on 2 June 1900.

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.