Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Captain Jack Farrow, 4th Battalion, South Wales Borderers, who was twice mentioned in despatches, was wounded at Gallipoli and killed in action at Sannayat in April 1916

1914-15 Star (Lieut. J. Farrow. S. Wales Bord.); British War and Victory Medals, with small M.I.D. oak leaf (Capt. J. Farrow) nearly extremely fine (3) £160-200

M.I.D. London Gazette 28 January and 13 July, 1916

Jack Farrow was born in Kulongsu, Amoy, China, in 1892. He served with the 4th Battalion, South Wales Borderers, at Gallipoli from 28 June 1915, and afterwards in Mesopotamia where he was killed in action on 9 April 1916, at Sannaiyat, during the relief of Kut. He is buried in Amara War Cemetery.

Farrow is mentioned several times in the regimental history:

Damakjelik Bair, Gallipoli, where he commanded No. 13 Platoon, D Company - ‘About this time General Travers came up and ordered up a platoon of D to C’s help. This platoon, No. 13 under Lieutenant Farrow, was at first held in reserve, but at about 9.30 a.m. Captain Kitchin decided to use it and the rest of C in a counter-attack, as the Turks were too close to be healthy. This attack, pivoting on the right and and swinging round its left, went splendidly... After this repulse the Turks contented themselves with sniping and occasional shell fire, and made no attempt to renew the attack until after 6 p.m., when they came on again, attacking with great determination... Captain Kitchin, therefore, ordered Lieutenant Farrow to take his own platoon and No. 10 and make another counter-attack. This he did with great dash and success. Charging through the scrub the platoons dislodged about 80 Turks and sent them flying back off the spur with heavy loss. After covering 120 yards they came under heavy fire from the scrub at short range and were checked, Lieutenant Farrow being wounded in the leg.’

Suvla, after recovering from his wounds - ‘Captain Farrow on one occasion distinguished himself greatly by creeping up through the scrub to a Turkish sentry group and bombing it from behind.’ The history incorrectly says ‘He subsequently was awarded the M.C. for his generally excellent work.’

Mesopotamia, April 1916 - ‘The night attack on Sannaiyat was a distressing experience for the Thirteenth Division: the reasons of its failure are clear enough, and the men were soon to show that the confusion was due mainly to their fatigue and benumbed condition. To the 4th S.W.B. the repulse had meant reduction to a mere handful. More than half those in action were casualties, and among the killed were Captains Austin and Farrow, subalterns of 1914, who had shown themselves splendid leaders and were badly missed.’

Sold with copied research and an original photograph of Farrow’s No. 13 Platoon taken at Inkerman Barracks, Woking, in 1915.