From Eton he went up to Balliol College, Oxford, where he soon developed a reputation for bullying and rowdy behaviour, such as cracking a stock whip within inches of Philip Sassoon's head.

His friends and family found it hard to understand what was wrong, but to modern eyes he was clearly suffering from a recurrent major depressive illness.

After consulting with his college and his parents Grenfell opted to take a pass degree, as he was not well enough to continue with his honours course[2] After University Julian spent much of his time involved in outdoor activities; hunting and fishing, and as a somewhat reluctant participant in his mother's high society parties, and country house weekends.

[3] He was initially sent out to India, where he enjoyed the big game hunting but found military service tedious and his fellow officers rather dull.

Julian's unit became de facto infantry soldiers, and despite all the discomforts and dangers he continued to write upbeat letters to his family and friends.

Using hunting skills he had developed at Panshanger, Julian taught his men how to crawl through no-mans land unseen, "steering by the stars" to attack the German front line trenches, and gain intelligence.

He was 27 years old and was buried at the Boulogne Eastern Cemetery; his mother covered his grave with oak leaves and wild flowers sent by his younger sister from home.

"[7] His younger brother the Honourable Gerald William (Billy) Grenfell was killed in action on 30 July 1915, within a mile of where Julian had previously been fatally wounded.

The death of both Julian and Billy was a dreadful blow to their mother Lady (Ethel) "Ettie" Desborough, who was haunted by bereavement for the rest of her life.

Tragically her 3rd remaining son, Ivo, was killed from a head injury sustained in a motor accident, and he died in circumstances very similar to Julian's death.