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George Farndale
FAR00646
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Killed in action on the 27th of May 1917, during the Battle of Arras, barely one month after arriving in France |
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Egton
1891
George Farndale, son of John and
Susannah (nee Smith) Farndale (FAR00387)
of 6 East Street Loftus Yorkshire,
was born in Whitby
District (Egton) in 1891. George
Farndale’s birth was registered in Whitby
District in the second quarter of 1891 GRO Vol 9d page 465).
George
Farndale was born about 1891 in Egton, Yorkshire, youngest son of John Farndale
(a Deputy in an ironstone mine, born about 1851 in Egton, Yorkshire) and
Susannah Smith (born 1853 in Cropton, Yorkshire), who had married around July
1872 in Egton, Yorkshire.
George was born around the time his father, a Farm Labourer, became an
Ironstone Miner, so he would have witnessed quite a change in his young life,
from the pastoral surroundings of Egton village to the hustle and bustle of
Loftus, Yorkshire. His father must have been a quick learner, progressing to
Mines Deputy in 10 years. George followed his father and other brothers into
the ironstone mines, becoming, by 1911, a Blacksmith's Striker, living with his
family at 19 Tees Street, East Loftus
1891 Census, Egton,
Whitby
George Farndale aged 2 months, son of
John Farndale, farm labourer, living at 16 Hazel Head
1901
1901 Census, Loftus
George Farndale now aged 10, the son of
John Farndale and Susannah, - John is now an ironstone miner deputy, living at
9 John Street
1911
1911 Census, 189 Tees Street, East Loftus
George Farndale now aged 20, a blacksmith striker,
living with his father John Farndale and miner’s deputy and his mother Susannah
1914
John Farndale attended the
funeral of his father in law, William Smith in 1914,
with his sons Thomas, Harry, George Farndale, John William Farndale,
Edith, Annie and Sarah Farndale:
Whitby Gazette, 27 March
1914: FUNERAL
OF MR WILLIAM SMITH OF GOATHLAND. A Veteran sheep breeder. Buried at
Egton. In spite of
very inclement weather, the funeral of Mr William Smith, of Hunt House,
Goathland, who died at his residence on Wednesday, last week, at the advanced
age of 92 years, was attended by a large number of agriculturalists and others
from various parts of the North Riding. He was one of the most familiar figures
in the sheep breeding world in this part of the country, as was stated in an
obituary notice in these columns, last week, and he had taken an especially
active part in the breeding of moor sheep. He was closely identified with the
Black Faced Sheep Breeders’ Association for a great number of years. The
internment took place at Egton cemetery, where the old church used to stand,
and many of the stones from which were used in the building of the church at
Egton, on Saturday afternoon, and the large number of people present were
eloquent of the respect in which they deceased was held. The funeral cortege
left Hunt House at 11.30 AM in a heavy rainstorm, and preceded by Randy Mere,
and Egton Bridge, to St Hilda's church, Egton, at which there was a numerous
congregation. The service was conducted by the Rev MC Dickinson, Vicar of Egton,
and the Rev E B Hare, Vicar of Goathland. The hymns were... The chief mourners
were Mr and Mrs Jones Smith, son and
daughter-in-law... Mr J Farndale, son-in-law, Miss Rawnsley, grand daughter, Mrs Elliott, grand
daughter, Loftus, Messrs T H & G Farndale, grandsons, Mr and
Mrs Spencely, Mr J W Farndale, Miss E Farndale, Miss
A Farndale, Miss S Farndale …
1917
George
was a Private, Service No. 333852, in the 9th (Glasgow Highland) Battalion,
Highland Light Infantry, although he was originally Service No. 26456,
Alexandra Princess of Wales Own (Yorkshire Regiment). He was Killed In Action on the 27th May 1917 (a day made infamous by the
French Army mutinies following the disastrous Nivelle
Offensive, which left 100,000 French dead), in the German Retreat to the
Hindenburg Line. His body was never recovered and he
is commemorated on Bay 8, The Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France.
Medals
and decorations: Victory Medal, British War Medal
333852 Private George Farndale son of John and the
late Susanna Farndale of Loftus (FAR00387),
was killed in action with 9th HLI aged 25 on 27 May 1917. 9th HLI were in 100th
Infantry Brigade of 33rd Division engaged in operations on the Hindenburg Line.
He enlisted at Whitby although he was resident at Loftus. It seems that he
joined the Green Howards and then for some reason was transferred to the 9th
HLI. He was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal on 9 Nov 1921
posthumously since he had been killed in action in France on 27th May 1917 (ie born 1891). Seems to fit this
George?
(DR and medal roll)
333852
Private George Farndale
Click here for Loftus Family History Site
See also these letters, some of which are reproduced
below
Service
Highland Light Infantry
A
resident of Loftus, he enlisted at Whitby probably in the Gren Howards and was
then transferred to the HLI. He was killed in action on 27th May 1917 aged 26
while serving with the 1st/9th (Territorial Glasgow Highlanders) Battalion of
the Highland Light Infantry in 100th Infantry Brigade of 33rd Infantry Division
in operations against the Hindenburg Line.
The Highland Light
Infantry Regiment raised a total of 26 Battalions, these included 3 ‘pals’
battalions formed as part of Lord Darby’s scheme but
the Glasgow battalions were never known as such having nicknames each other;
The Boozy First (The 15th), The Holy Second (The 16th) and The Featherbeds (The
17th). The Regiment was awarded 65 Battle Honours and 7 Victoria Crosses losing
10,030 men during the course of the war.
1/9th (Glasgow Highland)
Battalion Territorial force.
04.08.1914 Stationed in
Glasgow as part of the H.L.I. Brigade of the Lowland Division then move to
Dunfermline.
Nov 1914 Mobilised for war
and landed in France and transferred to the 5th Brigade of the 2nd Division and
engaged in various actions on the Western Front including;
During 1915
Winter Operations 1914-15,
The Battle of Festubert, The Battle of Loos.
30.01.1916 Transferred to
G.H.Q. Troops.
29.05.1916 Transferred to
the 100th Brigade of the 33rd Division and engaged in various actions on the
Western Front including;
During 1916
The Battle of Albert, The
Battle of Bazentin, The attacks on High Wood, The
capture of Boritska and Dewdrop Trenches.
During 1917
The First and Second
Battle of the Scarpe, The actions on the Hindenburg Line, Operations on the
Flanders coast, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood.
During 1918
The Battle of Messines,
The Battle of Hazebrouck, The Battle of Bailleul, The
defence of Neuve Eglise,
The First Battle for Kemmel Ridge, The Battle of the Epehy, The Battle of the St Quentin Canal, The Battle of
the Beaurevoir Line, The Battle of Cambrai, The
pursuit to the Selle, The Battle of the Selle.
11.11.1918 Ended the war
in France, Petit Maubeuge.
George Farndale was killed in action on the 27th of May 1917, during the Battle
of Arras, barely one month after arriving in France.
The Loftus Family History Group have been
given access to letters he wrote from the Front to his sister Annie, in Loftus,
and letters from comrades and family offering sympathy after his death. Read
them on the Loftus Family History Group website.
8 April 1917
Sunday 8/4/17, Dear Sister
Just a line to tell you that I arrived at
Folkestone at 7 o clock this morning and I am in a rest camp now waiting of a
ship. It is quiet a fine place here. I think we shall leave here at 10.45 am
for the ship which I think will take us to Boulogne where we will stay over night. I got a very descent breakfast here and had an
extra tea before we left Catterick. They also gave us 20 packet of cigarettes
each. Well tat-ta for the present will write you
again as soon as possible. With Love Geo
19 April 1917
19/4/17
Dear Sister
Received latter on Tuesday last and parcel today.
I must say the parcel was extra. The cake is excellent, also must say that you
could not have sent a more suitable parcel. Well I
must send you my sincere thanks for your kindness also for writing to the Girl.
I am sorry I had to send home for some money, but I only get 5 francs here, and
I want to get some of those French cards to send you as I know you would like
some of them. I am pleased to hear you are all keeping well. I wrote to the
Girl on Sunday so I am expecting to hear from her
anytime. Will you send me one of your photos as I would like one with me out
here, please put your name on it. Remember me to all and Give
them my best respects, also down John St. How is Father keeping hope he isn't
worrying about me as I am alright. Well I think this
is about all I have to say so I must draw to a close thanking you once again
for parcel also hoping to hear from you again soon. Well
tud-a-lu
With Love
from Your Loving Bro Geo.
P.S. I am not afraid about the watch and parcel,
as I know the young man I left with is honest and
straight in every way, and I told him he wasn't to go down special with it, he
was to post it anytime when he was going to town.
With Love again
Geo.
25 April 1917
Dear Annie
I am just sending you a line to tell you that I am
in a draft and expecting to go out any day. If you haven't wrote and sent the things I asked for don't trouble, as I may be gone before
they arrive and I sharn't be able to take them with
me. If I should be here over the weekend I will write
you again on Sunday if not I will try and send you a line before I leave. I
have got all my kit ready for going but I don't think I shall go before
Saturday or Monday. Well be
sure and don't worry about me and tell Father not to, as I shall be alright,
and I must say before I go that you and Father have been very kind to me as I
never wanted for anything and I must say you have done more than your duty
towards me. Of course it may be weeks before I go into
the trenches as am sure to be kept at the base for a week or two. If I should
send for anything when I get to France, be sure and register it, as it will
make it more sure of me receiving it. Well don't write
any more until you hear from me again and don't think anything is wrong if you
don't hear from me for a short time, but I promise you to write you as soon as
I possibly can. Well this is all I have time to say
just now, so I will now close, trusting this finds you all well. Remember me to
all. Well be sure and don't
worry about me, and look on the bright side of it as I shall soon be back again.
With Love, From Your Loving Bro Geo
PS. If the writing pad comes
I will give it to some of the boys as it won't be worth sending it back. I
shall very possibly be sending some shirts home.
The Arras offensive, 1917 (Battle of Arras)
9 April -16 June 1917: the Arras offensive. Once again the British are called upon to launch an attack in
support to a larger French offensive: the battles of the Chemin des Dames and
the hills of Champagne. The opening Battle of Vimy and the First Battle of the
Scarpe are very encouraging, but once again the offensive – often known as the
Battle of Arras – bogs down into an attritional slog. Final attempts to
outflank the German lines at Bullecourt prove terribly costly
The Arras
Offensive, 1917 British
troops moving up to the trenches near Arras, 29 April 1917 The
Battle of Arras April to May 1917
27 May 1917
George died on 27 May 1917 aged 26 and is buried at Bay 8,
Arras Memorial, son of John Farndale, 6 East street,
Loftus Yorkshire.
Private George Farndale, son of John and the late Susannah Farndale
of Loftus, killed in action 27th May 1917, aged 26 (Loftus PR)
George Farndale, 26, 1891 to 1917,
commemorated at the War Memorial at East Loftus (junction of High Street and
Water Lane behind town hall, St Leonard’s Church, Water Lane, Loftus). Pte G
Farndale, Loftus, Cleveland.
“Also Pte
George Farndale, their son who was killed in action May 27th 1917
aged 26 years.”
Arras Memorial, France, Bay 8
Private George Farndale, 9th
(Glasgow Highlanders) Battalion, Highland Light Infantry.
333852, Private George Farndale,
Highland Light Infantry.
Victory
Medal and British Medal.
See Commonwealth War Graves Commission website
2 June 1917
France,
2/6/17
Dear Mr Farandale
I deeply regret to inform you of the death in Action of your son 333852 Pte G Farandale on 27th May. He was a good soldier and a popular
fellow, beloved by us all and our deepest sympathy goes out to you and yours at
this time.
Believe me, Yours truly, D W Greenhulds, 2Lt, 9th
HLI.
June
2nd/6/17
Dear Friend
It is with deep regret I inform you that your Bro George was killed on the 27th May. He had just gone into the trenches the previous
night and before it was properly daylight a German trench mortar came over and
struck George death being instantaneous. I have know George for a good long time and he was a fine
pal. He was in the Yorks at Hartlepool when I was, and we were transferred to
2/9th HLI together May 1st/16. It was New Years time when I mist
him as he was sent to Scotland and I was left with
Batt. Eventually I came out to France in Feb and it
was there at the base I met him again and we have been together practically all
the time. I was next to him on the 20th/5/17 when we went over and took the
German front line trench, which we held for 2 days and then were relieved. You
have my deepest sympathy in your sad bereavement and hope you will find
consolation in knowing that he died faithfully doing his duty. The officer got
his pay book and pocket wallet which I expect will be sent on to you.
Yours Sincerely
R Sellars
332854 Pte R Sellars 9th H.L.I. Glasgow Highlanders
C. Company 11 platoon.
B.E.F. France.
Shingle Hall, Sawbridgeworth, Herts.
Thursday
Dear Miss Farndale:-
I am deeply grieved on hearing from you yesterday
morning that dear George has been killed in action, and all at Shingle Hall
including myself wish to express our deepest sympathy with you all in this dark
hour of sadness.
It was an awful blow to me dear, and is one that I
shall never forget. He was such a nice quiet and gentle boy and was very much
liked by all who knew him in Sawbridgeworth, and no fellow could not think so
much of a girl as your dear brother did of me, and had he been spared to come
back safely we intended getting married. I don't know if he ever spoke about it
to you.
It will be awfully kind of you to copy those
letters for me and shall be most pleased to receive them.
Yes dear, I will see about another doz. p.cs. being copied and will write and let you know, as I
shall be only too pleased to do anything for you, for the sake of the dear one
I have just lost.
He sent me the Yorkshire badge (as he said no one
else should have it but me) also the cap badge of the H.L.I. and bought me a
small regimental brooch of the H.L.I. so I shall always think of the dear boy.
Now dear Miss Farndale I will draw to a close
trusting you will all accept our deepest sympathy once more.
With fondest love hoping to hear from you again
soon
I remain
Your sincere Friend
Dolly.
P.S. Please excuse pencil.
Whitby Gazette, Friday 22 June 1917:
PRIVATE GEORGE FARNDALE. Mr. John Farndale, 10, Cleveland St, Broughton, has
received official intimation that his son, Private George Farndale, Highland
Light Infantry, was killed in action on May 27th. Previous to
joining the colours he was employed by Mr J D Robinson, ironmonger, Loftus. He
was 26 years of age and enlisted on 9th February,
1916. He had only four month's service on the Western Front, the remainder of
his soldiering career having been spent in England.