1919 signed by Victoria Cross winner Sergeant Lawrence Calvert VC

Title - Tis a Nap Hand
 
Date - 11. 4. 19 for 1919
 
Medium - Pen and Ink with cut out card pictures on paper
 
Signed - Sgt. Lawrence Calvert VC MM and also signed at bottom with 'L.C.' Monogram
 
Picture size - 19.5cm x 15.5cm / 7.75" x 6.25"
 
Outside frame size - 34cm x 29.5cm / 13.5" x 11.75"
 
Condition - Excellent
 
Frame - Antique Victorian / Edwardian oak picture frame with period glass
 
Lawrence Calvert was 26 years old and a Sergeant in the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. He had already been awarded the Military Medal (MM) for bravery in 1916 but on September 12th 1918 at the Battle of Havrincourt in France, Calvert and his Regiment found themselves under intense machine-gun fire and unable to move. Sergeant Calvert ran towards the German machine-gun team.
His Citation for the award of the Victoria Cross reads:
 
'For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty in attack when the success of the operation was doubtful owing to severe enfilade machine-gun fire. Alone and single-handed Sergeant Calvert rushed towards the machine-gun team, bayoneted three and shot four. 
His valour and determination in capturing single-handed two machine-guns and killing the crews thereof enabled the ultimate objective to be won. His personal gallantry  inspired all ranks'.
A truly brave man 'willing to lay down his Life for his friends'.
The title 'Tis a Nap Hand' with the cut out cards showing the Flags of the Allies means 'to be in a position where there is a very good chance of success if a risk is taken'.  Very apt.
This piece is especially important as it was written and signed only five months after the award of the VC. An extra bonus is the double signing with his full signature and VC and MM award at the top and his monogram 'L.C.' at the bottom.
Lawrence Calvert passed away in July 1964.