Francis Farquharson

Francis Edward Henry Farquharson
Born	25 March 1837 Glasgow, Scotland
Died	12 September 1875 (aged 38) Harberton, Devon
Buried	St Peter's Churchyard, Harberton
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	British Army
Rank	Major
Unit	42nd Regiment of Foot
Battles/wars	Crimean War Indian Mutiny Third Anglo-Ashanti War
Awards	Victoria Cross

Francis Farquharson winning his Victoria Cross at the Battle of Lucknow, 1858 by Louis William Desanges

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.

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.

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Further information

He later achieved the rank of major. His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Black Watch Museum in Perth, Scotland.

References

• Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
• The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
• Scotland's Forgotten Valour (Graham Ross, 1995)

External links

• Location of grave and VC medal (Devonshire)
• Francis Farquharson at Find a Grave