Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 1 clasp, Relief of Mafeking (2960 Cpl.: S. J. Farlie, G Bty., R.H.A.) good very fine, the clasp unique to unit £160-£200

Sidney James Farlie was born in Plumstead, Kent, in 1878. A builder’s labourer, he initially served with the Kent Artillery before attesting for the Royal Artillery on 1 March 1894. Posted to the 1st Battery, 2nd Depot, Farlie transferred to the 63rd Field Battery on 6 April 1897 and embarked for South Africa on 28 October 1899. Transferred on attachment to “F” Section of the Maxim Battery, Royal Horse Artillery, on 4 February 1900, Farlie took part as Acting Bombardier in the relief of Mafeking operations, and it was here that he was wounded by enemy shellfire.

Posted home on 16 July 1900, Farlie transferred to the Royal Horse Artillery Depot and was discharged medically unfit for further service on 24 February 1901. He went on to work as a book keeper, remaining in the service of the Territorial Force at Woolwich for much of the Great War. Due to his work in the munitions industry he was not mobilised, being instead discharged on 23 March 1917. Analysis of the medal rolls shows Farlie to be the only man of “G” Battery present in the relief of Mafeking operations, and the only man entitled to the clasp in consequence.