Sifting through the documents and objects that were preserved at Ombersley Court, so as to give a glimpse into the life of Michael, 5th Baron Sandys, a problem presented itself: the paucity of letters – a bomb fell on his London home during the Blitz. It was at once a handicap and a challenge. Thankfully, compensation lay in the shape of photographs – fragments no. 7 contains 79 illustrations, most made public for the first time. Although Mikey was no great achiever, he does have attractions as a subject. His life brings the reader into the world of Gaiety Girls, bare-knuckle boxing and four-in-hand coach driving, and then landed estate ownership during two World Wars.