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Picture courtesy of DNW

QSA (3) Cape Colony, Transvaal, South Africa 1902 (6477 Pte. A. Farley. Essex Regt);
1914 Star (7286 Pte. A. Farley. 2/Essex R.);
BWM and VM (7286 Pte. A. Farley. Essex R.);
Memorial Plaque (Albert Farley)

Albert Victor Farley was born in 1885 in the Parish of St. Botolph, near Colchester, Essex. Having just turned 17 years of age, he served with the 3rd Battalion, Essex Regiment in South Africa during the Boer War from 9 March 1902 until 14 September 1902, and was awarded the QSA with 3 clasps. Returning to England he attested for the Essex Regiment at Colchester on 3 November 1902, now aged 17 years and 9 months, and commenced his service towards limited engagement. Posted to the 2nd Battalion on 15 April 1902, he was stationed on Malta from April 1904 to April 1907 and whilst there was appointed Drummer in October 1904. Discharged to the Reserve in 1910 after completing 8 years with the colours, he was working as a travelling musician in 1911.

Following the outbreak of the Great War, Farley was recalled from the Reserve and served with the 2nd Battalion, Essex Regiment on the Western Front from 14 September 1914, his battalion seeing action at the Battles of the Aisne, Messines and Armentières in 1914. He was killed in action on 13 March 1915 near Ploegsteert in the Le Touquet Sector where the 2nd Essex, as part of the 12th Brigade, 4th Division, had been alternately occupying trenches in the front line and taking rest at Le Bizet and Nieppe since January 1915.

He was the son of Robert and Frances Farley of 26 Albion Grove, Colchester, and husband of Mabel Farley, of Thorrington Street, Stoke-by-Nayland, Colchester and he is buried in Calvaire (Essex) Military Cemetery, Belgium.

Picture courtesy of DNW

QSA (4) Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (6240. Pte. H. Lineham. Essex Regt.) surname officially corrected;
BWM 1914-20 (6240 Sjt. H. Lineham. Essex R.);
Victory Medal 1914-19 (6340 [sic] Sjt. H. Lineham. Essex R.);
Imperial Service Medal, GVI 1st issue (Henry Linehan [sic])

Henry Lineham was born in Stratford, Essex, on 2 March 1882 - his correct name seems to have been Linehan and he appears thus in non-military records. He served with the Essex Regiment (Mounted Infantry Company) in South Africa during the Boer War, and subsequently served as postman in Southend-on-Sea.

He was awarded the Imperial Service Medal in 1945 (LG 14 September 1945: Postman, Hadleigh Sub-Office, Southend-on-Sea), and died in Hadleigh on 8 June 1960.

Picture courtesy of DNW

QSA (2) Cape Colony, Orange Free State (3256 Pte. G. Gargrave, 1st. Essex Regt.) first digit of number double-struck

George Gargrave was born at Canning Town, London, on 19 May 1872 and attested for the Essex Regiment on 21 April 1891. Posted initially to the 1st Battalion, he transferred to the 2nd Battalion on 20 February 1893 and served with them for the next six years in India, being appointed Lance-Corporal on 11 November 1896. Transferring to the Army Reserve on 5 March 1899, he was recalled to the Colours on 15 February 1900, and served with the 1st Battalion in South Africa during the Boer War from 28 February to 5 October 1900. He was discharged medically unfit on 20 April 1903.

Gargrave enlisted as a Clerk Third Class in the Royal Air Force on 5 June 1918 – his R.A.F. papers refer to his 12 years’ previous service with the Essex Regiment. He was transferred to the reserve on 12 February 1919 and discharged on 30 April 1920. He did not receive any medals for his service in the Great War.

Picture courtesy of DNW

QSA (4) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (7724 Pte. A. Chilvers. Essex Regt.)

A scarce example of a Queen’s South Africa Medal to a serving member of the 4th (Militia) Battalion, Essex Regiment - only 4 officers and 27 other ranks from the Battalion to receive the medal.

Arthur Henry Chilvers was born in Ardleigh on 3 May 1882 and enlisted in the 4th (Militia) Battalion, Essex Regiment, on 18 December 1899. Mobilised on 2 May 1900, he embarked ‘for service with MI Company in South Africa’ on 25 June 1901, and is noted on the medal roll as having served with the 10th Mounted Infantry, one of 2 officers and 7 other ranks from his Battalion so employed.

Chilvers subsequently enlisted in the Regular Army, joining the Royal Artillery on 14 May 1903. He transferred to the Army Veterinary Corps on 25 June 1907, and returned to the Army Reserve in May 1911. Mobilised on 5 August 1914, he served with the Army Veterinary Corps as part of the British Expeditionary Force during the Great War on the Western Front from 13 August 1914 to 28 October 1915; then with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force from 21 November 1915 to 27 May 1916; and finally with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force from 3 July 1916 to 9 June 1919. He was promoted Corporal on 1 January 1915; Sergeant on 20 November 1915; and Temporary Staff Sergeant on 7 January 1918. He was finally discharged on 18 July 1919. He died in Chelmsford on 19 November 1947.

Picture courtesy of Lockdales

QSA (2) Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg (5733 Pte H Gibson, 1st Essex Regt).

Sold for a hammer price of £130.

Picture courtesy of DNW

DCM GV (3-2520 [sic] C.S. Mjr: G. Burnop. 9/Essex: R.);
QSA (4) Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (2677 Serjt: G. Burnop. Essex Regt);
1914-15 Star (3-2550 C.S. Mjr G. Burnop. Essex R.);
BWM and VM with MID oak leaves (3-2550 W.O. Cl. 2. G. Burnop. Essex. R.);
Army LS&GC EdVII (2677 C. Sjt: G. Burnop. Essex Regt)

DCM LG 3 June 1916; citation published 21 June 1916:
‘For consistent good work. He set a fine example of steady discipline in the trenches, and it was a great loss to his battalion when he was severely wounded, losing a leg and an eye.’

George Burnop was born in Colchester, Essex. He attested for the Essex Regiment in September 1889, and served with the 2nd Battalion in South Africa, December 1901 - October 1902 (awarded LS&GC in October 1908). Burnop was discharged, 22 September 1910, having served 21 years with the Colours.

Burnop re-engaged, and served during the Great War with the 9th (Service) Battalion, Essex Regiment in the French theatre of war from 30 May 1915. He was wounded, 19 December 1915, on which date the Battalion were in the trenches at Givenchy. Burnop was discharged, 6 July 1916 (entitled to Silver War Badge). Company Sergeant Major Burnop died aged 50, 22 December 1922, and is buried in Colchester Cemetery.

MID unconfirmed.