'The late Capt. the Hon R. de Montmorency, V.C.', 1902

Cigarette card published by Taddy and Company, Number 45 from the series, 'V.C. Heroes - Boer War', a set of 125 cards, 1902. The card is captioned: 'The late Capt the Hon. R. de Montmorency, V.C. Awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery in attempting to rescue the body of Lieut. Grenfell who fell in the charge of the 21st Lancers at Omdurman Sep. 2nd 1898.'.

Portrait of Captain Raymond Harvey Lodge de Montmorency, 21st (Empress of India's) Lancers, wearing his Victoria Cross. De Montmorency had been awarded the Victoria Cross for his gallant action at the Battle of Omdurman, during the 2nd Sudan War (1896-1899). He attempted to rescue his fellow officer, Lieutenant Robert Septimus Grenfell, who was killed in action during the famous charge of the 21st Lancers. De Montmorency was himself killed in action on 23 February 1900 at Stormberg in South Africa, during the Boer War (1899-1902).

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.

From a collection of 14 cigarette cards.