A Great War 1917 ‘Ypres’ M.M. and ‘Western Front’ Second Award Bar group of four awarded to Sergeant J. Farrington, 1/7th Battalion, Liverpool Regiment

Military Medal, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar (265637 Cpl. J. Farrington. 1/7 L’Pool: R. - T.F.); 1914-15 Star (2503 Pte. J. Farrington. L’Pool R.); British War and Victory Medals (2503 Sjt. J. Farrington. L’Pool R.) mounted for display, generally very fine (4) £700-£900

M.M. London Gazette 18 October 1917.

M.M. Second Award Bar London Gazette 11 January 1918.

Jack Farrington was a native of Southport, and ‘whose wife resides at 105, Bispham Road, has been awarded the Military Medal for bravery and devotion to duty.

He joined the army at the beginning of the war, and was sent to France with the King’s early in March 1915. Prior to joining up he was employed by Southport Corporation as a tram conductor, mostly on the Inner Circle route.

The following is extracted from a letter he sent home:

‘In the third battle of Ypres, I have had the pleasure of winning the Military honour for bravery and devotion to duty.

We had 2,000 yards to go before we reached our objective. We were half way, when we had to halt in account of our barrage, and make the best cover we could get. When we arrived there we had no officer in our platoon. I heard that he had been killed, and I had been acting platoon sergeant, so I took charge of the platoon. Up till then we had six men missing. I got the remainder together, ready for the next advance, and I am glad to say that we drove the Germans back and gained the position. I had only been in the trenches a few minutes when I captured between 30 and 40 prisoners I can assure you that they were very glad to give themselves up. They shook me by the hand, and one chap actually threw his arms around my neck.

While in the charge, one of our officers noticed my good work, and recommended me for a medal for bravery and devotion to duty.’ (Southport Visitor, 8 September 1917, refers)

Sold with 33 postcards written by recipient to his sweetheart and then wife, and 1 from her to him, dated between 1915-1919; and copied research.