With that, I can create a table and embed my images side by side or above and below each other as needed.

Then create a link for each image to where ever they should point.

Resize those images and then examine the table in HTML. Highlight just the table code itself and drop it into a custom HTML widget.

You might need to tweak the table and images a bit to fit properly.

For me, this is easier than the writing up of ‘how to do this’.

Use it a couple of times and you might find it’s very handy. Keep this trick for other uses where you need some quick HTML code (especially tables).

Most people will tell you to do things ‘this way or that way’ as tables are ‘passe’ but tables are often just fine for very simple tasks.

And 5.X is much better.

If you’re only objection to upgrading is the Block Editor (Gutenberg) then consider 5.x with the Classic Editor installed to disable or default to the Classic Editor itself.

You’ll also need PHP 5.6 and I’d recommend PHP 7.3 which is faster and stable.