Mr Farmer, VC. Relating to Pictorial catalogue of AZW Graves & Memorials.

Posts : 2583 Join date : 2009-04-24

Before we start. I want to make it clear that no disrepect intended. But I don't fully understand why he received the VC for his action. I repeat no disrepect intended.

Later in life Mr Farmer, VC, gave his own account of that day:

'When the Boers closed in with the British troops near the hills, another man and myself were helping Sir Arthur Landon of the Army Medical Directorate to tend the wounded, who were falling thick and fast. Both cried out that they were hit, and the soldier I was bandaging was, I believe, killed at the same moment. Sir Arthur Landon, I ought to say, was one of the best and bravest men who ever lived or died. Well, as soon as I saw what the Boers were about, I jumped up, waved the bandage I had been using - which might serve the purpose of a white flag - and shouted that they were shooting wounded men. The enemy either did not know the usages of civilized warfare, or, in their blind fury, they did not heed what they were about. Anyhow, a Boer took a pot-shot at me, and the bullet went through my right wrist. "Here is the mark," he said. The wound has affected the free use of my hand ever since, though not disabled it. As the official report of the affair by Maj Elliott says, I, on being hit in the right arm, called out "I have another!" transferred the white "flag" to the left hand, and continued to wave it.

My Boer friend, however, was a persistent beggar, for he had another try, and this time he shot me through the left elbow joint. His endeavours rather convinced me, notwithstanding opinions to the contrary, that the Boers are not such remarkably good shots as they are said to be. I was, however, placed hors de combat; but the surgeon, though himself mortally wounded, injected morphia to deaden the pain, and so the limbs were saved to me. The left arm is, however, a good deal wasted and crippled.'

Posts : 1605 Join date : 2009-09-21

Hi CTSG. Becasue he was trying to prevent the slaughter of already wounded soldiers who could not defend themselves. It doing so received two wounds. If the Boer had been a better shot. Farmer who have been a dead VC holder.

Posts : 600 Join date : 2010-01-07 Location : UK

hi
yep, I agree with Dave, risking his life to save another.

thanks joe

Posts : 1849 Join date : 2009-03-25

Did the Boers know what the white flag meant.

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Lance-Corporal J. J. Farmer, Army Hospital Corps, circa 1881.
John Young Collection.

John Y.

Subject: Mr Farmer VC Wed Apr 12, 2017 6:00 pm

Nice one JY
90th

Gary,

An eBay bargain, with discount it cost me the princely sum of £6.99p!

Despite being described as a cdv, it transpired to be a half-plate portrait.

I see you paid for the new computer!

JY

Posts : 1203 Join date : 2015-11-24

Provisional Lance Corporal Joseph John Farmer vc. AMC.
Battle of Majuba Hill 27th of February 1881..

Posts : 1203 Join date : 2015-11-24

From the Military History Journal vol 5 num 2.. Dec 1980 the centenary issue.
types in uniform.

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Subject: Mr Farmer VC Thu Apr 13, 2017 6:05 am

Hi JY
Yes a great get , well done , Yes I'm more than likely covering the new computer cost HAHAHAHAHA . We are off to zunguin mtn today , have organised a local to get us up there , luckily the haze isnt as bad as it has been , its very windy which may've helped , would be far better if it was a clear day , but cant complain it couldve been worse if it was raining , foggy etc .
Cheers 90th Salute

Gary,

Enjoy yourself, tell the Major to check his e-mail there's a photograph there for him.

John Y.

Subject: Mr Farmer VC Thu Apr 13, 2017 7:48 pm

Hi JY.
Unfortunately the Major's computer is stuffed , not sure if it's working , I told him a month ago to get a new one , he's obviously waiting for me to pay him for this Patrol !!
90th Salute