Description
Queen’s South Africa Medal, 3 bars, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, King’s South Africa Medal, 2 bars, 2622 Private Alfred Edward Farrow, 2nd Northumberland Fusiliers, captured Battle of Stormberg, 10th Dec 1899 released June 1900.
Both Officially impressed: “2622 Pte A. Farrow. North’d Fus:”
Entitlement confirmed on the medal roll. With copy service papers.
Captured and taken as a Prisoner of War, Battle of Stormberg, on 10th December 1899.
Released on 6th June 1900 at Pretoria.
The Battle of Stormberg, was the first of 3 successive defeats during the early stages of the Boer War, the first defeat of what is known as “Black Week”.
During the battle the British Force of 1800 Infantry, 250 Mounted Troops and 12 Guns, were defeated by the Boers with their 2300 Men and 3 guns.
British Casualties: 26 Killed, 68 Wounded, 696 Captured.
Boer Casualties: 8 killed, 26 wounded.
During the later stages of the battle, the Commanding Officer of the Northumberland Fusiliers took it on himself to order a retreat, and most of Major General Gatacre’s Force began to fall back in disorders. One Maj Gen Gatacre gave the order to retreat to Molteno, Mounted Boer reinforcements appeared an attack the men from both sides.
The battered and exhausted Infantry force made it back to Molteno, but once they reached their Gatacre realised that over 600 men had been left behind on the Kissieberg. The men, including Pte Farrow were hopelessly cut off and forced to surrender.
Private Albert Edward Farrow, was born in Wymondham, Thetford, Norfolk during 1872.
Baptised on 13th October 1872 in Wymondham, the son of George and Susanna.
He first attested for service with the Northumberland Fusiliers on 19th December 1889 aged 19.
he had already completed most of his service by the time of the war, when he was amongst those reservist who were Emergency Recalled by Special Army Order of 7th October 1899.
Services:
Home, 15th Dec 1889 – 3rd November 1899
South Africa, 4th November 1899 – 9th August 1902
Home, 10th August 1902 – 10th August 1902.
