Orders, Decorations and Medals

A rare Great War ‘Mesopotamia’ D.S.C. group of four awarded to Lieutenant-Commander T. J. Farrell, Royal Indian Marine, and Lieutenant-Colonel, Royal Engineers

Distinguished Service Cross, G.V.R.; Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Persian Gulf 1909-1914 (Lieut., R.I.M.S. “Lawrence”); British War and Victory Medals (Lt. Col.) extremely fine (4) £800-1000

D.S.C. London Gazette 11 August 1917: “In recognition of zeal, devotion to duty and gallantry whilst serving in River Steamers for long periods during the operations in Mesopotamia.”

Major-General Sir George Macmunn recommended to the Admiralty that Farrell and another R.I.M. officer be awarded the Distinguished Service Cross with this commendation: “The loyal support of these permanent Royal Indian Marine officers has made the reorganisation of the River Transport comparatively easy.”

From August 1916 to February 1917, Farrell was Assistant Marine Transport Offcier, “D” Force (Indian Contingent), Mesopotamia. The Mesopotamia Commission Report states: ‘A deficiency of River Transport existed from the time the Army left tidal water and advance up-river from Kurna. This deficiency became very serious as the Lines of Communication lengthened and the numbers of the forces increased. Up to the end of 1915 the efforts made to rectify the deficiency of River Transport were wholly inadequate. During the four months of 1916 the shortage of Transport was fatal to the operations undertaken for the relief of Kut. Large reinforcements could not be moved to the front in time to take part in critical battles.’

In 1916 responsibility for Mesopotamia was transferred from India to the War Office and responsibility for transport was transferred to the Inland Water Transport. In February 1917, Farrell was seconded to the Royal Engineers as Temporary Captain and eventually became Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel. He retired as Lieutenant-Commander on 10 May 1920.