ON the same day that Bridport marked the centenary of the outbreak of World War I, in an auction house in Melbourne Australia David Hay admired a fine portrait of an English officer: Major Henry Wyndham Francis Blackburne Farrer.

The painting is by Captain Francis Hodge a well-established WW1 artist, so Mr Hay was surprised to be the only bidder.

He said: "From the beginningI felt that I was only a temporary custodian and that the portrait should be with the family of the soldier. "

Researches led him to Bridport Museum and then to the Rector of Bridport, Canon Andrew Evans.

The portrait was returned to Henry Farrer’s descendants at a civic ceremony at St Mary’s Parish Church, Bridport on Sunday April 19.

Mr Hay and his wife Leigh travelled from Australia to present the picture to John Farrer and Caroline Patterson, great nephew and great niece of Major Farrer.

The service was attended by the Mayor Maggie Ray, Cllr Martin Ray, Cllr Geoffrey Ackerman, Brigadier John Dean, president of the Bridport Branch of the Royal British Legion, and the Bridport Army Cadet Force detachment.

Major Farrer was the second son of the Rector of St Mary’s at the beginning of World War I.

His father preached suggesting that it was the duty of all able-bodied men to volunteer for armed service. Two days later 20-year-old Henry did just that and joined the Royal Field Artillery.

The portrait is dated September 16 a month before Henry was killed on October 20, 1918 by an incoming shell. Two weeks later the guns fell silent at the Armistice. Henry served continuously in France and Belgium, so after leaving Bridport at the beginning of the hostilities his parents did not see him again. A memorial to Major Farrer is on the inside wall by the South door of the parish church.

In his sermon Canon Andrew Evans the current Rector, highlighted the remarkable war service of Major Farrer, fighting just behind the infantry at the front lines in all the major battles of the war and being awarded the Belgian Croix-de-Guerre, the 1914 Star, and the Military Cross and two bars for acts of gallantry.

Canon Evans told the congregation that in addition to conspicuous bravery Henry selflessly helped colleagues. One of the citations reports that after clearing a burning cottage of ammunition, he heard cries from a wounded colleague and although wounded himself, he ran back into the cottage to save him. Major Farrer was wounded six times, four of these seriously.

At the ceremony a poignant poem about Major Farrer was read. It was written by Leigh Hay who is a published author. The ceremony included the hymn “I heard the voice of Jesus say” which was also sung at the dedication service for Major Farrer’s memorial.

Lessons were read by John Farrer, David Hay and Brigadier John Dean. Canon Evans remarked that this was the first time in nearly 100 years that a Farrer had read in St Mary’s Church. The Farrer family wore miniature copies of Major Fareer’s medals; full size copies were also on display.