FARMER, Albert

Albert Farmer was the son of Joseph and Caroline Farmer of Vicarage Road, Lye. He volunteered in September 1914 and went in January 1915 to the 2nd Battalion of the Worcesters on the Western Front. They had suffered heavy losses in October and November at Ypres and were stationed near Armentičres. Albert Framer was in one of several drafts badly needed to make up the Battalion's numbers. They took their turn with duties in the front line but the winter was severe and no major attacks were made by either side. In March the neighbouring1st Battalion took a major part in the Battle of Neuve Chapelle and in May it was the turn of the 2nd Battalion to attack the German lines. On the 15th May a night attack was undertaken near the village of Festubert. Most of the Worcesters reached the enemy trenches but the artillery bombardment had failed to cut the wire. Losses were heavy and included Private Albert Farmer who suffered severe shrapnel wounds to both legs. He was sent back quickly to a Casualty Clearing Station and from there to a hospital in Cardiff. He died on the 6th June and his burial in Lye cemetery was carried out with full military honours. He was 37 years of age and is commemorated on the Lye and Wollescote and Lye church Memorials.