RSM D/11594 Christopher Farrell
Christopher Farrell was born 8 April 1871 to James and Catherine Farrell at Maynooth, Kild, Ireland.
Christopher initially worked as a groom but at the age of 17 years, on 24th August 1888, he joined the 8th Hussars for a 12 year engagement.
This engagement was to be extended in 1900 and again in 1909.
The 8th Hussars were stationed in England and he appears in the 1891 Census as a single man living in Regimental barracks at Norwich.
On 13 October 1914 he was posted to the Essex Yeomanry as Acting RSM where he distinguished himself throughout World War One.
On 24 July 1915 he was made a Warrant Officer Class 1 in the field.
On 15 July 1916 he was mentioned in despatches for gallant and distinguished conduct in the filed.
In April 1917 he returned to the UK due to a shrapnel wound in the Left arm sustained during the battle for Monchy le Preux but returned to France a month later!
On 16 June 1917 he was awarded the Medaille Militaire for gallantry in the field on 11 April 1917.
On 12 July 1917 he was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.
on 21 September 1917 he transferred to the Dragoon Guards.
On 16 October 1919 he was discharged on termination of his second period of engagement having served 31 years in the Army.
Perhaps the respect that RSM Farrell earned are best shown by his his funeral which took place at Colchester on 28 March 1925 with full military honours
and attended by a 'great concourse of people'.The funeral cortege left from his house at Constantine Road, Colchester , preceded by the band of the Dragoon Guards with his body on a gun carriage. The carriage was escorted by the large black charger that RSM Farrell rode and an escort of 60 Officers and Men from the Essex Yeomanry and a detachment from the Dragoon Guards.
Family mourners included his widow, Sgt L Farrell ( 8th Hussars) , Signalman S Farrell ( Royal Signals)and misses W, K and D Farrell.
Other mourners included Captain Blewitt and Captain Twyman ( Essex Yeomanry) , Lt Goddard ( Dragoon Guards) , Sgt Marchant ( 5th Essex) ,Mr C P Fenner (Essex Territorial Army Association) and many members of his former Regiments the 8th Hussars and the Essex Yeomanry.
Floral Tributes were sent by Lt-Col Hill DSO & Officers, Warrant Officers, NCO's and Men of the Essex Yeomanry, Lt Col A Carrell & Officers of the 8th Hussars, Sgts Mess of 8th Hussars, 3/6th Dragoon Guards, Members of the Staff Sgts and Warrant Officers Club, Members of the 11th Brigade, RFA , Sgts Mess RASC, Essex Territorial Army Association, GSM Steer and Mr McKinley.
