He was educated at Eton where he was good friends with Denys Finch Hatton, Edward Horner, and latterly with Patrick Shaw-Stewart. 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. In his final year at Oxford Grenfell began to struggle with his studies, his moods became unstable, and he was anxious, agitated and miserable. 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 courseThe Children of the Souls - A tragedy of the First World War, Jeanne MacKenzie, pub. Chatto & Windus 1986 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. It was at one such gathering that Julian met Marjory Manners, daughter of the Duke of Rutland, to whom he became devoted. They corresponded for a lengthy period, and Marjory was one of the first to write to Julian's mother Ettie, after his death to tell of her anguish.
He was educated at Eton where he was good friends with Denys Finch Hatton, Edward Horner, and latterly with Patrick Shaw-Stewart. 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. In his final year at Oxford Grenfell began to struggle with hi,s studies, his moods became unstable, and he was anxious, agitated and miserable. 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 courseThe Children of the Souls - A tragedy of the First World War, Jeanne MacKenzie, pub. Chatto & Windus 1986 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. It was at one such gathering that Julian met Marjory Manners daughter of the Duke of Rutland, to whom he became devoted. They corresponded for a lengthy period, and Marjory was one of the first to write to Julian's mother Ettie, after his death to tell of her anguish.