The AIF Project

'At MORLANCOURT on night 28/29th July 1918. Conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. During our attack this Signaller worked throughout the night repairing and patrolling the lines under an intense enemy bombardment and heavy Machine Gun fire. He displayed a total disregard of personal danger, and largely assisted in keeping the Companies in communication with Battalion Headquarters. On night 29/30th when counter-attack was expected and communication had to be kept at all costs, the enemy put down a heavy Gas shell barrage, and all lines back from Front Line were cut. This man immediately went out, wearing Gas Mask and with sandbags on his hands, repairing breaks made by gas shells and in some cases standing over shell craters from which gas fumes were strongly rising. After being out 10 minutes communication was restored, but by the time he had returned to Signal Dugout the lines had again been broken. He immediately turned back and again patrolled and repaired lines. This work was rendered extremely difficult owing to the fact that Private FARRAR had to work with blistered hands (caused through soakage of Gas through sandbags) and having to wear his Gas Mask continuously for 1 hour.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 36
Date: 14 March 1919