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Auction: 22001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 229

Three: Captain W. G. Farrer, 1/7th (Robin Hood) Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment), who was wounded in action at Lievin on 28-29 June 1917

1914-15 Star (2. Lieut. W. G. Farrer. Notts.&Derby.R.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. W. G. Farrer.), good very fine (3)

William Graham Farrer was born at Smethwick, Staffordshire on 17 November 1894, the son of William and Amy Farrer of Little Moor Hill, Smethwick. Prior to enlistment he was accepted for an apprenticeship as an Engineer Fitter before attesting as a Private with 15th (Birmingham) Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment on 15 September 1914. Commissioned on 20 May 1915 Farrer was posted to 3/7th (Robin Hood) Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire) Regiment before being transferred to 1/7th Battalion. Entering the war in France in September 1915 he arrived with 'A' Company at 46th Division Base Depot, Rouen on 24 October. He must have proven himself very quickly as in just four months he was given the important role of commanding the escort for the General Officer Commanding XVII Corps.

'On February 10th a composite Platoon, under 2nd Lieut. W. G. Farrer, left the Battalion for Headquarters of the 17th Corps, to act as escort for the G.O.C. The Robin Hoods felt very proud of this Platoon as they watched them march away, and it would have been difficult for any Battalion to have sent a finer Platoon than this.'

Promoted Lieutenant and appointed Adjutant on 2 July 1916 he was invalided to England on 22 May 1917. Returning to France Farrer was wounded in action by shrapnel in the left leg during fighting in the left sector of Lievin on the night of 28-29 June 1917.

Married after the war in 1920 to Violet Blanche Willcocks he lived at The White Bungalow, Alderbrook Road, Warwickshire. He died at The Red House, Alveston, Stratford-on-Avon on 12 November 1971; sold together with copied research including service records, M.I.C. and two extracts from regimental histories.

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Sold for
£250

Starting price
£130