Name
Robert Farnham (DCM)
11 October 1891
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
09/04/1976
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
4420
Hertfordshire Regiment
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Distinguished Conduct Medal
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
NA
Pre War
Born 11 October 1891 in Farnborough Kent and baptised 13 Dec 1891
He enlisted 5 January 1915.
Wartime Service
Entered France 10th July 1915
He was awarded the DCM for making a daring wire-cutting trip into No Man’s Land where he was wounded by German gunfire, but still managed to retrieve a wounded soldier and return to his trench.
DCM London Gazette 11.03.1916 – ‘For conspicuous gallantry in carrying out a very daring and useful piece of reconnaissance.’ By family repute Private Robert Farnham volunteered to a request for volunteers in his company to venture out into ‘No-Man’s Land’ and cut the wire in advance of a planned attack. The wire was, however, only 50 yards from the German trenches, and upon arrival at the wire he was shot in the wrist and both legs, but still managed to return to his own trench, whilst also helping to retrieve another wounded soldier.
He was discharged 1 September 1916.
The family record that it was for this act that he was awarded the DCM. Two other men, 1732 Corporal William G Spinks, and 3630 Pte Charles Hagger, both of the 1st Herts Regiment, share similar citations with a touch more information, and perhaps make up the other members of the reconnaissance party.
Given the date of the award, it is possible that the event took place in September 1915 at Loos. Private Farnham reputedly carried the scars and a bullet still inside his wrist until his final days. he was discharged 1 September 1916. Worthy of further research.
The Battalion War Diary records:
The following appeared in the New Years list of honours: Decorations;
Military Cross – Captain CLERK A.G., Lieut. OLIPHANT K.W.
DCM – No.1732 Cpl HINKS, 3630 Pte HAGGER, 4470 Pte FARNHAM
Mentioned in Despatches; Lieut. MILLBURN, 3292 Regt. S.M. YOUNG F., 2170 Sgt EVANS, 1125 Sgt CALLOW, 2656 Pte STEVENS, 2130 Pte DUNN.
Additional Information
He married in April 1921, Ware, Hertfordshire and died in 1976 in Chatham Kent.
Acknowledgments
Nigel West
