Six: Squadron Sergeant-Major George Farrant, 10th Hussars, decorated for bravery during the Irish Troubles in 1921

Medal of the Order of the British Empire, (Military) unnamed as issued; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (4551 Pte. G. Farrant, 10th Rl. Hussars); 1914 Star, with clasp (4551 Sjt. G. Farrant, 10/Hrs.); British War and Victory Medals (4551 W.O.Cl.2., 10-Hrs.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (H-47024 Sq: S.Mjr: G. Farrant, 10/Hrs:) cleaned and mounted court style, very fine or better (6) £800-1000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Long Service Medals from the Collection formed by John Tamplin.

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Medal of the O.B.E. London Gazette 28 September 1921: ‘In recognition of gallant conduct in the performance of military duties.’ The recommendation states:

‘At Adavoyle on 24 June 1921, on the occasion of the derailing by rebels of a troop train conveying a party of the 10th Hussars with horses, this Warrant Officer showed the greatest disregard for personal safety whilst engaged in the rescue of horses from the broken trucks. This Warrant Officer repeatedly entered the trucks containing the kicking and maddened horses and effected their release.’

George Farrant served with the 10th Hussars in the Boer War as a Private and in the Great War as a Sergeant, becoming Squadron Sergeant-Major by the end of the war. He was wounded on 8 August 1918, during the attack and capture of the line of the Amiens outer defences which began that day. He was awarded the L.S. & G.C. medal in Army Order 305 of October 1918.

In 1920, the 10th Royal Hussars were stationed in Ireland, and at the end of the year they were at Hare Park, Curragh. He was awarded the Medal of the O.B.E. for his gallantry in saving horses of his regiment from the broken trucks of a train drailed in June 1921 by Sinn Fein rebels who had removed a section of line and placed bombs in the gap. Three soldiers and the guard were killed and two soldiers wounded. Farrant received his award at an Investiture at the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, on 14 January 1922, together with Farrier S.S.M. Cox, of the 10th Hussars, and seven others from different regiments. Sold with full research.