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"