Francis Farquharson

Francis Edward Henry Farquharson was born in Glasgow, Scotland, on 25 March 1837. He was commissioned into the 42nd Regiment of Foot, later The Black Watch, and saw early service during the Crimean War, including duty before Sebastopol. He was still only twenty years old when he performed the act of gallantry for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross.

On 9 March 1858, during the operations before Lucknow in the Indian Mutiny, Lieutenant Farquharson led part of his company in the attack on a bastion mounting two guns. He stormed the position, spiked the guns, and helped secure the advanced post from artillery fire during the night. The following morning, while still holding the advanced position, he was severely wounded. The London Gazette citation confirms the date, regiment, rank, act, and that he was wounded on the morning of 10 March.

His Victoria Cross was gazetted on 21 June 1859. The notice states that Queen Victoria confirmed the award after it had been provisionally conferred by the Commander-in-Chief in India, which is useful wording for the database because it explains the delay between the action and the Gazette publication.

Farquharson was invalided home after his wound and received his Victoria Cross from Queen Victoria at Buckingham Palace on 4 January 1860. He was promoted to Captain in 1862 and later retired with the rank of Major. He died at Harberton, Devon, on 12 September 1875, aged thirty-eight. His medals are held by The Black Watch Museum in Perth, Scotland.