£320
George Soper (1870-1942), Ink, wash and gouache, Lady Sybil Grey firing the first shot at the Miniature Bisley Meeting at Crystal Palace, A rare and historically important depiction of the philanthropist and voluntary aid nurse, Lady Sybil Grey firing a rifle at the range at Crystal Palace. The Meeting was opened by Lieut-General Sir Ian Hamilton, one of the Vice Presidents of the Society of Miniature Rifle Club (which incorporated the Society of Working Men's Rifle Clubs and the British Rifle League). Also in attendance were Lord Grey, Major General Charles E. Luard, Lieut-General F. Lance, Secretary Mr. H. Marks, etc. Lady Sybil Grey was asked by Hamilton to open the meeting by firing the first shot at the range. Illustrated in The Graphic newspaper, 22nd March 1903, Extract taped to reverse. Signed lower right. Approx. 7 3/4" x 11 1/2"
Lady Grey was raised in Howick Hall in Northumberland, which she later transformed into a wartime hospital. She travelled across Europe assisting soldiers in need; and later to Petrograd where she helped establish the Anglo-Russian hospital converted from the vast Dmitri Palace, property of the cousin of Tsar Nicolai. In 1904, her family moved to Canada where her father, 4th Earl Grey, served as Governor General of Canada. In 1906 she co-founded the Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire supporting Canadian troops fighting overseas. She also co-founded the Red Cross hospital with Lady Muriel Paget. She spent a year in France leading the Women's Legion, before returning to England to care for her dying father at Dorchester House, later the Dorchester Hotel. She then returned to the front line and married Lambert Middleton. In 1918 she was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for her efforts during the war. More information can be found via the Howick Heritage Group, and Sybil Grey's grandson Simon Boyd 's book about this extraordinary patriotic woman.
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