b. 25/03/1837 Glasgow, Scotland. d. 12/09/1875 Harberton, Devon
Francis Edward Henry Farquharson (1837-1875) was born on 25th March 1837 in Glasgow, Scotland. He was commissioned into the 42nd Highlanders in 1855 and served in the trenches at Sebastopol in the Crimean War. On 9th March 1858, the 20-year-old Lieutenant would be at the forefront of the attack on the Martiniere at Lucknow.
Francis E H Farquharson VC
Attacking in two lines, the 42nd dashed down the grassy slope in order to minimise their losses. Following Colonel Alexander Cameron, Farquharson stormed a bastion mounting two guns, which he spiked and put out of commission. He then held this position until the following morning but suffered a severe wound.
He was invalided home and his VC citation was published on 21st June 1859. He received his medal on 4th January 1860 from the Queen Victoria at Buckingham Palace. Farquharson was promoted to Captain in 1862 and retired with the rank of major. He died at his home in Harberton, Devon on 12th September 1875, aged just 38. He was buried in St Peter’s Churchyard, Harberton. His medals are held by the Black Watch Museum, Perth, Scotland.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: BLACK WATCH MUSEUM, PERTH, SCOTLAND.
BURIAL PLACE: ST PETER’S CHURCHYARD, HARBERTON, DEVON.
Acknowledgement:
Thomas Stewart – Image of the Farquharson VC Medal Group in Black Watch Museum, Perth, Scotland.