The Collection of Medals Formed by Bill and Angela Strong

The original D.S.O. warrant appertaining to Major Roy Farran, the highly decorated S.A.S. officer, in the name of ‘Roy Alexander Farran, Esquire, on whom has been conferred the Decoration of the Military Cross, Captain (Temporary Major) in our Army’, dated 29 March 1945, and signed by the King and the Principal Secretary of State for the War Department, in good condition £300-400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Bill and Angela Strong Medal Collection.

View
Collection

The likes of legendary S.A.S. officers such as Roy Farran require no introduction here, though for the record it is worth noting that he was also awarded three M.Cs - see Peter Liversidge’s obituary in the O.M.R.S. Journal, December 2006, for further details.

The recommendation for his immediate D.S.O. states:

‘Major Farran, commanding the Jeep Squadron, comprising 54 men and 16 jeeps of 2nd Special Air Service Regiment, landed by Dakota at Rennes on 19 August 1944.

This Squadron operated continuously from that date until 17 September 1944, harassing the enemy in his rear areas from Orleans to St. Loup.

Confirmed damage inflicted on the enemy by the small force under Major Farran amounted to approximately 500 killed or wounded, 23 staff cars destroyed, 6 motor-cycles and 36 miscellaneous vehicles including trucks, troop carriers and a petrol wagon. In addition, a dump of 100,000 tons of petrol was destroyed, a goods train burnt out and the Germans at Beaulieu panicked into blowing up their R.D.F. station, and evacuating the position. Much essential information and bombing targets were also passed back by W./T.

Squadron casualties were 7 killed, 2 wounded, 1 missing and 2 P.O.W., of whom one subsequently escaped.

On 30 August 1944, Major Farran decided to attack Chatillon (at that time about 50 miles behind the German front). This town was strongly held by the enemy.

Under cover of darkness, Major Farran placed his Squadron in position, covering all entry and exit with jeep and foot parties.

At 0630 hours on 30 August the attack was opened with 3-inch mortar fire on the German H.Q. in the chateaux. 48 mortar bombs were placed on the target. Fierce resistance was encountered from enemy troops in the town, and a reinforcement column of 30 vehicles full of troops was dispersed, and prevented from giving help to the enemy garrison.

After seven and a half hours of hard and successful fighting, Major Farran withdrew his small force to the Foret de Chatillon.

A conservative estimate of the enemy’s casualties is at least 100 Germans killed and a considerable number wounded, whilst S.A.S. casualties were 1 killed and 2 wounded.

This well-conceived and brilliantly executed operation caused the enemy to mistake Major Farran’s Squadron for the advance elements of the 3rd U.S. Army and thereby to withdraw from Chatillon sooner than necessary. His personal courage, initiative and tactical sense enabled him to direct his small force with minimum loss.

At one stage during the operation it seemed likely that the small British force under his command would be destroyed; however, Major Farran with complete disregard for his own safety, moved from party to party encouraging and inspiring his men to press home the attack, thereby ensuring success.

Major Farran is the very best type of officer, and the above is but one example of the offensive spirit and brilliant leadership shown by him, and there can be no doubt that his small force played a considerable part in disorganising the German forces in front of the 3rd U.S. Army.’