Farquhar McIntosh was born in the town of Dornoch in the county of Sutherland in the Highlands. After working as a labourer, in 1808, at the age of 18, he travelled to the west of Ireland to join the 42nd Regiment of Foot, the Black Watch, as a private. Reenlisting after his initial service of 8 years, he was promoted to corporal in 1821.
Farquhar served for five years in the Peninsular War, he took part in the siege of Ciudad Rodrigo in 1812 and the siege of Burgos where he served in the ‘forlorn hope’, one step up from a suicide mission.
He was also present at the battle of Toulouse, where he was wounded in the thigh, and fought in the battles of Salamanca, the Pyrenees, Bussaco, Fuentes de Onoro, Nivelle, Nive and many others.
Following the end of the war, he was stationed in Gibraltar for five years.
While in Italy, Farquhar allowed his men to stop to bathe, an 'impropriety' which saw him reduced to the ranks for two years after which he regained his previous rank.
Siege of Ciudad Rodrigo
“Wellington ordered an assault on the San Miguel hornwork, which guarded the fort's northeast approaches for the night of 19 September. Launched without the benefit of artillery support, there would be three simultaneous assaults, the 1st Battalion of the 42nd Foot was spotted by the French in the moonlight and over 200 men were mowed down.”
In January 1821, after serving over 22 years, Farquhar chose to take his pension and leave the army.
On discharge from the regiment he was described as "a good and efficient soldier... trustworthy, sober and deserving the highest recommendation".
As his older two daughters were born in Gibraltar, it seems likely that that was where he met their mother, Honora O’Connor, an Irish woman born in Cork.
Following his departure from Gibralter, there is a record of his admission to the Royal Hospital Chelsea in September 1831. Shortly afterwards the family moved to Aberdeen.
On his return to Scotland he worked as a linen porter, dying in 1840.
