The New Zealand Expeditionary Force British War Medal and Victory Medal pair to 13897 L/Corporal Herkulean Farquharson, Otago Infantry Regiment, who was wounded just after Messines and at Passchendaele.

 

Herkulean Farquharson was born at Balclutha, New Zealand on 26th January 1896. Son of Henry Calder and Bessie Ann Farquharson (née McIntosh).  He was working as a cheesemaker at the Stirling Dairy Factory when he attested for service with the NZEF in March 1916. He embarked with the 14th Reinforcements, and following the usual period of training in the UK and Etaples, he was posted to 8th (Southland) Company, 2nd Battalion, Otago Infantry Regiment in November 1916. Farquharson was wounded on 17th June 1917, just after the Battle of Messines, suffering a slight gunsot wound to his right hand. He returned to his unit a few days later, and in August was appointed lance-corporal.  During the fateful advance at Passchendaele on 12th October 1917, Farquharson was wounded again, in the left thigh and knee and evacuated to a casualty clearing station. He was subsequently declared unfit for further service, and returned to New Zealand for discharge.

 

Farquharson returned to cheesemaking after the war, marrying Georgina Catherine Roger in 1925. He died 30th June 1941 at Palmerston, Otago and is buried in the old Balclutha cemetery.

Both medals correctly impressed 13897 L/CPL. H. FARQUHARSON, N.Z.E.F. The group also comes with a Silver Badge numbered NZ9971, but as no register exists of these badges, it cannot be confirmed if this was the one issued to him.

Service file held at Archives New Zealand