Francis Farquharson

Major Francis Edward Henry Farquharson VC (25 March 1837 – 12 September 1875) was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

For the Scottish architect, see Francis Farquharson (architect).

Francis Edward Henry Farquharson
Born25 March 1837
Glasgow, Scotland
Died12 September 1875 (aged 38)
Harberton, Devon
Buried
St Peter's Churchyard, Harberton
Allegiance United Kingdom
Service/branch British Army
RankMajor
Unit42nd Regiment of Foot
Battles/warsCrimean War
Indian Mutiny
Third Anglo-Ashanti War
AwardsVictoria Cross
Farquharson winning the Victoria Cross at the Battle of Lucknow, 1858 by Louis William Desanges

Early life

He was born in Glasgow on 25 March 1837[1] the son of Robert Farquharson, a thread manufacturer living at 7 St James Place.[2]

Details

He was 20 years old, and a lieutenant in the 42nd Regiment of Foot (later The Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)), British Army during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed took place on 9 March 1858 at Lucknow, India for which he was awarded the VC:

For conspicuous bravery, when engaged before Lucknow, on the 9th March, 1858, in having led a portion of his Company, stormed a bastion mounting two guns, and spiked the guns, by which the advanced position, held during the night of the 9th of March, was rendered secure from the fire of Artillery. Lieutenant Farquharson was severely wounded, while holding an advanced position, on the morning of the 10th of March.

[3]

Later life

He later achieved the rank of major.

He fell ill during the Ashanti campaign of 1874 and retired from active service.[4] He died at Dundrige in Harberton in Devonshire on 12 September 1875.[5] He is buried a few metres east of the entrance to St Andrew's Church in Harberton.A stained glass window to his memory lies within the church.[6]

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Black Watch Museum in Perth, Scotland together with his four other campaign medals: the Crimea Medal (Sebastopol); Indian Mutiny Medal (Lucknow); Ashanti Medal (Coomassie); and the Turkish Crimea Medal.

Artistic Recognition

He was painted with fellow officers by Orlando Norie.[7]

References
  1. "The Old Coot: Victoria Cross: F. E. H. Farquharson". 21 October 2012.
  2. Glasgow Post Office Directory 1837
  3. "No. 22278". The London Gazette. 21 June 1859. p. 2420.
  4. Black Watch Museum, display notes
  5. "The Old Coot: Victoria Cross: F. E. H. Farquharson". 21 October 2012.
  6. "Harberton, South Devon, Francis Edward Henry Farquharson VC".
  7. "Major FEH Farquharson and officers from the 42nd Royal Highlanders Black Watch by OrlandoNorie".
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