MC & 1914/15 Trio Lt Fairman 2nd Lincolnshire Regt & WIA late Northumberland Fusiliers

Alfred Fairman born in Newcastle on 2nd Feb 1896, educated at Snow Street Council School and was a Painter when he enlisted into the 2/5th Northumberland Fusiliers numbered 5/1934. He rose through the ranks very quickly as he became a L/Cpl in Dec 1914, A/Cpl April 1915, A/Sgt May 1915, Sgt Oct 1915. He was sent to France with the 1/5 Battalion landing on 1st Nov 1915 and on 8th Dec 1915 he asked to be made a Cpl. In March 1916 made a L/Sgt & then Sgt, Acting CSM July 1916 and CSM in Aug 1916.

In Dec 1916 he was sent back to the UK to be commissioned on 31st May 1917 as a Lt in the Northumberland Fusiliers. On 24th April 1918 he joined the 25th Northumberland Fusiliers in the field and was wounded in action on the 20th Oct 1917 with Gun Shot Wound to his left arm and multiple wounds to his left thigh. He was sent back to the UK to get better.

On 23rd June 1918 he joined the 2nd Lincolnshire Regiment in B Coy in the field and was awarded the MC LG 2nd Dec 1918 for actions on 20th Aug 1918 during the capture of Beaucourt. The citation says “During seven days of hard fighting he handled the platoon of which he was in command with great skill and initiative, displaying gallantry under heavy fire which set a splendid example to his men. The resolution with which he defended his positions naturally contributed to the final repulse of the enemy. The war diary for the 20th Aug 1918 quotes The enemy attacking B Coy left flank but were driven off and then attacking both flanks but still driven off. 2nd Lt A Fairman went out to the left flank with men and inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy which made them withdraw. He left the them in the field on 1st Nov 1918 to go to hospital and recovered and rejoined the battalion in the field on 2nd Jan 1919. In March 1919 he had leave in the UK and was back in France in May 1919 to join 728 Labour Company who he left to be discharged in Nov 1919.