Captain Roland Davenport Farmer, 1/5th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment

Killed in Action on this day, (March 22nd), 110 years ago.

Born in 1886 to George and Ada Farmer of Ashby de la Zouch, Roland was one of 9 children born to the couple, a brief insight into the family make up can be gleaned from the 1911 census which tells us that at that time 9 children had been born to George and Ada, 5 were living and 4 had sadly died, Roalnd was their eldest son.

In 1901 the family lived at 33 Tamworth Road, Ashby de la Zouch, 49 year old George was listed as being the Clerk to the Guardians, the Guardians as such were created under the 1834 Poor Law Amendment Act, executing instructions for managing local Poor Law unions, overseeing workhouses, infirmaries and issuing poor relief, he would have also managed records, minute books and all manner of correspondence for the union. At the time of the 101 census Roland was listed as being 15 years of age, living at the address with his father, mother, two sisters Ada, Hilda, and two younger brothers, Frederick and Edward.

10 years later and the family were now living at Ivanhoe House, still in Ashby de la Zouch, by this time Roland was listed as being the assistant clerk to the guardians.

Roland joined the Army prior to the outbreak of World War One as a Private, joining the Ashby and Coalville Company of the Leicestershire's, he reached the rank of Colour Sergeant before resigning to take up a commission in the Territorial Force.

Educated at Ashby Grammar School, Roland was a keen sportsman, excelling at golf and cricket. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant into the Ashby company of the 5th Battalion on June 6th 1913. after a short spell as a Lieutenant in the Lincolnshire Regiment, in February 1915 he was sent to France with the 1/5th Battalion as a Lieutenant overseeing "C" Company.

Roland was promoted to Captain and was Officer Commanding "C" Company when he killed in action on March 22nd 1916.

A letter sent to Roland's parents by Colonel RE Jones, commanding the 5th Battalion reached the Monday following his death, in it he conveyed the sad news that their eldest son was killed by an aerial torpedo in Flanders. It is understood that he met his death whilst going to the assistance of a comrade. He had been in command of the Shepshed company of the 5th at the time of his death.

Captain Roland Davenport Farmer

Colonel Jones went on;

"Your son was one of the coolest and bravest men that ever lived. I have seen him on many occasions under severe fire and nothing has ever disturbed him. He never flinched, never hesitated to go and do what he knew was right, without a thought from himself, only for the cause he was upholding. We are all sorry. We all feel his loss.

In the book - 1/5th Battalion The Leicestershire Regiment by JD Hills, Roland gets mentioned;

"Through it all (in reference to a German Minewerfer attack (mortars)), Captain Farmer walked calmly from post to post, cheering the garrison and just before the end of the bombardment at 4pm, made his way down the small communication trench towards his support platoon. Thence he went to call on "B" Company but was caught on the way back by a mortar, which he probably could not see coming in the mist and he was killed instantly, being blown out of the trench and lost for several hours. Captain  Farmer was perhaps the quietest, certainly the bravest officer of his time, for he feared nothing and nothing could shake his calm, whilst it was said of him that he never angry and never despondent. When he was killed "C" Company lost their leader and every man his best friend while the mess lost one of the most cheerful comrades of every officer."

Roland's body was recovered from the battlefield, he was laid to rest amongst his men in Ecoiveres Military Cemetery, his headstone carries the legend from his family;

"MAKE HIM TO BE NUMBERED WITH THY SAINTS IN GLORY EVERLASTING" 

Private Albert Cartwright, 4th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment

 On this day, (March 21st) 110 years ago, Albert Cartwright died of his wounds.

Albert was born in Stafford in 1896 to James and Lydia Cartwright, one of 6 children born to the couple. In 1901 the family were living in Field Place, Stafford, by 1911 the family had moved to Leicester and were living at 4 Crown Street in the city.

Shortly after the outbreak of war on August 4th 1914, Albert saw fit to volunteer for service, so on August 29th 1914 at the age of 18 and a half he enlisted into the 4th Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment. The 4th were a territorial battalion who had their headquarters in Oxford Road in the centre of Leicester, they formed part of the Lincoln and Leicester Infantry Brigade of the North Midland Division.

The division, embarked for France in February 1915 becoming the first territorial battalion to arrive on the Western Front.

Alberts service records show that he arrived in France on March 2nd 1915.

4th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment

Credit - IWM

Albert was involved in heavy fighting receiving a gunshot would to the face which neccessitated him 

being admitted to a field hospital in near Rouen on 10th October 1915, he recovered sufficiently to be sent back to the line on the 27th of that month.

He was injured once again in March 1916 and sadly died of his wounds on 21st March 1916, he was laid to rest in Ecoiveres Military Cemetery, situated around 8km north west of the town of Arras.

Whilst looking through Alberts service records, a letter from his mother was found, it reads;

Dear Sir,

Very many thanks, twas a great relief, I feel most grateful to you. I firstly had your communication noting the despatch when the following morning the package arrived, the personal effects of my dear departed son (no. 2380 Private A Cartwright, 4th Batt, Leic Regt).

The effects in question were as follows;

1 Gold reefer ring (broken)

1 set of false teeth (broken)

Photos and correspondence

Miniature crucifix and other religious matter

1 French knife

Such were the articles, rest assured that as far as possible I shall ever cherish the same in my possession, now again expressing my gratitude, further quoting my warm thanks for your kindness

Your respectfully

L. Cartwright

And further I shall like to ask if you could kindly let me know the number of my sons grave and whereabouts he is buried.

yours his ??? mother

Mrs Cartwright

For his service and for paying the ultimate sacrifice, Albert was awarded the world war one medal trio and a bronze memorial plaque.

The Leicester Mercury newspaper of March 31st 1916 had the following article;

Pte, Albert Cartwright, whose parents reside at 4 Crown Street, Leicester (his father being the caretaker of Crown Street Primitive Methodist Church ) is reported to have been killed in action. He joined the colours last year, leaving his work at St. Marys Mills to enlist.