Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Four: Private A. Farley, 2nd Battalion, Essex Regiment, who served in the Boer War and was killed in action during the Great War near Ploegsteert, Flanders on 13 March 1915

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Transvaal, South Africa 1902 (6477 Pte. A. Farley. Essex Regt); 1914 Star (7286 Pte. A. Farley. 2/Essex R.); British War and Victory Medals (7286 Pte. A. Farley. Essex R.); Memorial Plaque (Albert Farley) in card envelope, with slightly torn Buckingham Palace enclosure; Memorial Scroll, ‘Pte. Albert Farley Essex Regt.’, in contemporary glazed frame, extremely fine (6) £300-£400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Barry Hobbs Collection of Great War Medals.

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Albert Victor Farley was born in 1885 in the Parish of St. Botolph, near Colchester, Essex. Having just turned 17 years of age, he served with the 3rd Battalion, Essex Regiment in South Africa during the Boer War from 9 March 1902 until 14 September 1902, and was awarded the Q.S.A. with 3 clasps. Returning to England he attested for the Essex Regiment at Colchester on 3 November 1902, now aged 17 years and 9 months, and commenced his service towards limited engagement. Posted to the 2nd Battalion on 15 April 1902, he was stationed on Malta from April 1904 to April 1907 and whilst there was appointed Drummer in October 1904. Discharged to the Reserve in 1910 after completing 8 years with the colours, he was working as a travelling musician in 1911.

Following the outbreak of the Great War, Farley was recalled from the Reserve and served with the 2nd Battalion, Essex Regiment on the Western Front from 14 September 1914, his battalion seeing action at the Battles of the Aisne, Messines and Armentières in 1914. He was killed in action on 13 March 1915 near Ploegsteert in the Le Touquet Sector where the 2nd Essex, as part of the 12th Brigade, 4th Division, had been alternately occupying trenches in the front line and taking rest at Le Bizet and Nieppe since January 1915.

He was the son of Robert and Frances Farley of 26 Albion Grove, Colchester, and husband of Mabel Farley, of Thorrington Street, Stoke-by-Nayland, Colchester and he is buried in Calvaire (Essex) Military Cemetery, Belgium.

Sold together with the recipient’s ‘Soldiers’ Small Book’, a riband bar for the Great War medals; and an illuminated certificate presented to the recipient’s wife by the Stoke-by-Nayland Branch of the Girls Friendly Society on the occasion of her marriage on 6 April 1912.