Herbert Farndale

30 March 1892 to 23 July 1971

The Craggs Line

FAR00652

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Sergeant who was later commissioned, awarded the Military Medal for gallantry in WW1 and whose house was hit by a German bomb in WW2. Councillor (Independent), North Riding County Council. Farmer at Craggs Hall

Dates are in red.

Hyperlinks to other pages are in dark blue.

Headlines of Herbert’s life are in brown.

References and citations are in turquoise.

Context and local history are in purple.

Geographical context is in green.

Craggs Halll Farm

1892

Herbert Farndale, son of Matthew (farmer of Craggs Hall Farm) and Mary Ann (nee Liverseed) Farndale (FAR00383), was born on 30 March 1892 (1939 Register), and baptised on 12 April 1892 at a private service at Craggs Hall Farm, according to the rites of the Wesleyan-Methodist Church. Herbert Farndale’s birth was registered in the second quarter of 1892 (GRO Vol 9d page 503).

1900

Matthew and Ann Farndale and their family at Craggs Hall in about 1900

William Robert Ruth

Matthew Herbert Ann Ernest

Edwin

1901

Census 1901, Craggs Hall Farm

Matthew Farndale, head, 50, a farmer

Mary A Farndale, 44

Robert Farndale, 15, an assistant on the farm

Ruth Farndale, 14

Ernest Farndale, 12

Herbert Farndale, 9

William Farndale, 6

Edwin Farndale, 2

1911

Census 1911, Craggs Hall Farm

Matthew Farndale, head, 60, a farmer

Mary A Farndale, 54

Ruth Farndale, 24, at home

Ernest Farndale, 22, at home

Herbert Farndale, 19, at home

William Farndale, 16, at home

Edwin Farndale, 12, school

1915

On 11 August 1915, Herbert Farndale joined the army. He was 23, a farmer, 5 feet and 6.5 inches tall and weight 140 lbs, of good physical development.

He confirmed that he was not engaged in the manufacture of munitions for war and agreed to be inoculated.

On 20 November 1915, 4857 Private Herbert Farndale joined 2/4^th Battalion, Alexandra, Princess of Wales’s Own (Yorkshire Regiment) and undertook training. The unit was part of 189 Infantry Brigade, 63 (Northumbrian) Division) based at Whitby and Long Benton Camp. Whitby seems to have been a recruiting and holding depot and Long Benton the training camp. The Battalion trained during September and October before moving to Newcastle on 20 October 1915. He seemed to have been within the Humber Garrison and his unit was a reserve Battalion.

He may have spent a short time, about ten days, with 1/4 East Yorks.

1916

He was transferred to 10th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment in 1916. There was a suggestion that he sailed from Southampton to Le Havre on 29 and 30 June 1916 and joined the Battalion on 12 July 1916. However he probably joined the Battalion before the first day of the Somme on 1 July 1916.

He was awarded the Military Medal for gallantry and the British War Medal and the Victory Medal (Medal Roll). 36143 Pte H Farndale, York R (Military Medal Listing, Supplemental London Gazette, 18 June 1917). MILITARY MEDAL. … 36143 Pte H Farndale, York R (Leeds Mercury, 19 June 1917). THE MILITARY MEDAL. His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to award the Military Medal for bravery in the field to the under mentioned non commissioned officers and men:... 36143 Private H Farndale, Yorks Regt (Sheffield Daily Telegraph, 19 June 1917)

His Military Medal for bravery arose for service from 11 August 1915 to 30 June 1916 and particularly on 1 July 1916, with the Expeditionary Force in France. He was awarded the Military Medal for Bravery in the field.

Herbert’s Medals – The Military Medal for For Bravery in the Field, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal

On 1 July 1916, the 10th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment was part of the 92nd Infantry Brigade in support of the 31st Division’s assault on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. The 10th Battalion had trained at Wareham and was sent to France in July 1915. It saw action in and around the Hooge and Bluff sectors and at Fricourt on 1 July, suffering enormous casualties on the opening day of the Somme offensive in 1916. Eleven officers and 299 other ranks were killed in total.

The village of Fricourt lay in a bend in the front line, where it turned eastwards for 2 mi (3.2 km) before swinging south again to the Somme River. XV Corps was to avoid a frontal assault and attack either side of the village, to isolate the defenders. The 20th Brigade of the 7th Division was to capture the west end of Mametz and swing left, creating a defensive flank along Willow Stream, facing Fricourt from the south, as the 22nd Brigade waited in the British front line, ready to exploit a German retirement from the village. The 21st Division advance was to pass north of Fricourt, to reach the north bank of Willow Stream beyond Fricourt and Fricourt Wood. To protect infantry from enfilade fire from the village, the triple Tambour mines were blown beneath the Tambour salient on the western fringe of the village, to raise a lip of earth, to obscure the view from the village. The 21st Division made some progress and penetrated to the rear of Fricourt and the 50th Brigade of the 17th (Northern) Division, held the front line opposite the village.

The 10th West Yorkshire Regiment, was required to advance close by Fricourt and suffered 733 casualties, the worst battalion losses of the day. A company from the 7th Green Howards made an unplanned attack directly against the village and was annihilated. Reserve Infantry Regiment 111, opposite the 21st Division, were severely affected by the bombardment and many dug-outs were blocked by shell explosions. One company was reduced to 80 men before the British attack and a reinforcement party failed to get through the British artillery-fire, taking post in Round Wood, where it was able to repulse the 64th Brigade. The rest of the regimental reserves were used to block the route to Contalmaison. The loss of Mametz and the advance of the 21st Division made Fricourt untenable and the garrison was withdrawn during the night. The 17th Division occupied the village virtually unopposed early on 2 July and took several prisoners. The 21st Division suffered 4,256 casualties and the 50th Brigade of the 17th Division 1,155.

The 92nd Brigade was formed from East Yorkshire Regiment battalions and also fought on the Western Front. Following heavy casualties in April 1918, the 92nd and 93rd Brigades were amalgamated as the 92nd Composite Brigade. However, they were reformed soon after.

1917

Herbert was promoted to Corporal on 20 September 1917.

1918

Herbert was promoted to Sergeant on 11 January 1918. A payment record shows pay as Private from 11 August 1915, posted on 20 November 1915, as Acting Lance Corporal from 11 April 1917, as Lance Corporal from 17 August 1917, as Corporal from 12 September 1917 and as Sergeant from 21 December 1918.

1919

Herbert was commissioned in 1919. His officer service number was 238221.

Herbert Farndale wearing military medal in Green Howards Herbert at officer training unit in 1918

On 16 February 1919, 238221 Sergeant Farndale of 2/4 Yorks Regiment was transferred on being disembodied. Perhaps this is not as bad as it sounds, but is a reference to him transferring to be an officer cadet. This seems to be confirmed by a further document on 16 February 1919 which also refers to him disembodied on demobilisation but Struck off to England for admin to Cadet. To England Candidate for a Temp Commission.

REGULAR FORCES. INFANTRY. SERVICE BATTALIONS. The under mentioned cadets to be temporary 2^nd Lieutenants under the provisions of the Royal Warrant dated 30 December 1918, promulgated in Army Order 42 of 1919: … West Yorkshire Regiment, 5 March 1919... Herbert Farndale, MM... (London Gazette, 13 May 1919).

The Disability Form, completed by all soldiers on discharge confirmed his address at Craggs Hall Farm and that he first joined for duty on 11 August 1915 at Middlesbrough, with Medical Grade A1.

1921

1921 Census – Craggs Hall, Carlin How

Matthew Farndale, 71

Mary Ann Farndale, 64 Years 1 Month

Herbert Farndale, 29 Years 3 Months, working on the farm with Matthew

1923

Cleveland Standard, 23 June 1923: PROPERTY MARKET. At Loftus on Wednesday, Mr T S Patch, auctioneer, offered for sale the Craggs Hall Farm, situated between Brotton and Carlin How The purchaser would only buy one half the revenue derived from the estate. Mr H Farndale, son of Mr M Farndale, tenant of the farm, became the purchaser for £1,500. The solicitor for the vendor was Mr Julius Bertram, of London.

Cragg Hall next comes into our history. This is where Mr Matthew Farndale farmed, and where many happy Sunday School picnics were held. How well such incidents as drawing water from the well near the door are thrillingly remembered. When his son Herbert Farndale took over, garden parties became a regular feature, and occasionally public worship was held in the new Cragg Hall when the lounge was filled to capacity with 60 to 70 worshippers. Recently barbeques have been taken there, and the last remembered social event was a dance in one of the barns organised by the young people in aid of the Mission House Nigeria appeal fund. (Wainwright, Greta (1966), Brotton Methodist Church, 1866 to 1966).

1928

The general rate book for the parishes of Brotton, Kilton and Moorsholm dated October 1928 (The National Archives DC/SB/22/18 held at Teesside Archives).

The Herbert Farndale entries are:

1937

Cleveland Standard, 31 July 1937: ANNUAL SUNDAY SCHOOL PICNIC. Through the kindness of Mr Herbert Farndale, the Beach Road Methodist Sunday School held their annual picnic on Wednesday at the Cragg Hall Farm....

Cleveland Standard, 11 December 1937: FUNERAL OF MR J TYREMAN OF BROTTON. A large company of Cleveland agriculturalists, employees at Skinningrove iron works and others attended the funeral on Tuesday of Mr Joseph Tyreman of Warsett Farm, Brotton, at Brotton Churchyard... Others present included... Mr H Farndale...

1938

Cleveland Standard 26 March 1938: FUNERAL OF MR W T DOWSON. SKELTON’S OLDEST TRADESMAN. The funeral took place on Saturday of Mr. Watson Teasdale Dawson, of High Street, Skelton... Others present included … H Farndale, W Farndale...

1939

Cleveland Standard, 5 August 1939: SHOW CLEVELAND. THE LOCAL PRIZEWINNERS. The local prize winners were as follows... Horses. Agricultural. Mr. A Huddleston's prizes for foals bred by his Suffolk stallion: 1. H Farndale, Carlin How, yearling, agricultural gelding or filly...

1939 Register – Craggs Hall, Carlin How, Skelton and Brotton

Herbert Farndale, single, farmer on own account, born 30 March 1892

Farm labourer horseman, cowman and assistant cowman.

1940

Daily Gazette for Middlesbrough, 21 May 1940: WANTED. Strong youth and lad for farm work. Apply H Farndale, Carlin How.

Herbert Farndale, a farmer, lived Craggs Hall Farm, Brotton. The Craggs Hall farm house received a direct hit by a German bomb on 3 September 1940. He was away but two other people were killed. The house was rebuilt.

Derick Pearson kindly sent me this photograph and commented that this is Carlin How football field. The goal is the Kilton Lane end of the pitch and in the distance at the left end of the houses can be seen Lower Cragg Hall farm. To the left of that and higher can be seen Upper Cragg Hall farm buildings and house among the trees. Herbert Farndale owned this when we were youngsters. I believe one of the teams was a Skinningrove works team. I lived in that left hand house in the late 1940s and we could watch the matches over our garden fence. This was what was fondly known as Bells Huts and is behind what is now the Bullet and Bayonet on Kilton lane. The foundry now stands exactly where that row of houses was.

1944

There is a plan of a cottage at Cragg Hall Farm for H Farndale dated June 1944 (The National Archives DC/SB/PL/551 held at Teesside Archives).

1949

Cleveland Standard, 29 April 1949: SKELTON AND BROTTON UDC. … Kilton ward (one seat):... Herbert Farndale, Carlin How, farmer, Independent...

Cleveland Standard, 13 May 1949: SKELTON AND BROTTON URBAN. … In Kilton ward there was a keen struggle, and Mr H Farndale, Independent, obtained a majority of nine over his opponent, Mr J Duffy, who has been a member for many years.

1951

The Cleveland Standard, 10 August 1951: A group of parishioners at the Brotton Methodist Church garden fete at Cragg Hall Farm, Brotton, includes Mr H Farndale, owner of Cragg Hall Farm, Mrs Ebdon, who opened the fete, Revs A J Merchant and A G Jessop.

The Cleveland Standard, 31 August 1951: BROTTON FUNERAL OF MRS A SIMPSON. The funeral took place this week of Mrs Annie Simpson... Friends present included … H Farndale.

The Cleveland Standard, 14 September 1951: The following have been nominated as members of the Skelton and Brotton Food Control Committee for 1952:... consumer members,... H Farndale...

Derick Pearson remembered in 2018 that Herbert Farndale had High Cragg Hall farm in the 1950s up to the 1970s. As children we used to go potato picking there. Boy was it hard work. Half a crown a day plus a ½ bucket of spuds. That was good pay then, so they said? We once complained about the water in the duckpond being too dirty to wash our hands in and he told us to stop complaining and told us of a time when he was on the battlefield in the war and when running across the fields under fire he and two others dropped into a pond. They laid in the pond keeping their heads down waiting for the firing to die down and then slowly started peeping over the top to make good their escape at the rear of the pond. When they had time to look round they were up to the waist in red water. It was from the blood of some other lads who had been shot and died in the pond. We never complained about the pond water again. Farndales and Blacketts were the big farms around here then. Before that Kilton Hall was Bells farm. (Skelton and East Cleveland Facebook, 1 December 2018). Margaret Nelson recalled My brother worked for Herbert Farndale; I used to go up with him at weekends , also went potato picking for two and six a day and sack of potatoes good fun. Nadine Fletcher remembered my dad Donald Fletcher telling me about Mrs Beaton she was the cook for the Farndales and Jonny Proud (who also worked for Herbert) was my dad’s best man.

1952

The Cleveland Standard, 25 April 1952: HARD TEST AHEAD FOR SOCIALISTS. Chief interest in the East Cleveland area centred on the Skelton and Brotton Urban Council. On the present council the socialists have a majority of 11 members to 10 Independents, and their fight to maintain this will be much harder as a result of a last minute surprise which came on Saturday, when nominations closed... Kilton: H Farndale, Independent, farmer, Cragg Hall farm, Brotton...

The Cleveland Standard, 13 June 1952: THEY SAY THREE GRANTS SHOULD BE PAID. A principle in the payment of grants for conversions by Skelton and Brotton Urban Council was discussed at the meeting of the Finance and General Purposes Committee on Thursday night, when it was recommended by 9 votes to 8, that payment be made on the three applications submitted.... Members appointed to serve on the Establishment Committee were... H Farndale....

The Cleveland Standard, 11 July 1952: REPORT ON LAND. It had been decided before any further progress could be made the report on the land would have to be considered.... Councillors H Farndale and K Moore were appointed managers of Brotton CE school....

The Cleveland Standard, 12 September 1952: SKELTON NOMINEES. Nominations for consumer members of the Skelton and Brotton Food Control Committee submitted by Skelton and Brotton Urban Council are:... H Farndale...

The Cleveland Standard, 26 September 1952: COUNTRY RELICS. Miss Cleverley of Sleights gave a talk on the beauties and interesting relics in the local countryside to members of the Moorsholm WI. The competition for the best short story, judged by Miss cleverly was won by Mrs Bunting with Mrs Barker runner up. Mrs Hart presided and tea hostesses were Mrs Walton and Mrs wood. Community singing was organised by Mrs Farndale and Mrs Bunting.

The Cleveland Standard, 14 November 1952: REVIVAL OF ROAD SAFETY WORK. Skelton and Brotton Urban Council decided at its meeting to revive the Road Safety Committee. The matter had been placed on the agenda by the Council chairman... It was agreed to ask the police and the educational authorities to nominate representatives and the council’s representatives on the committee are … H Farndale …

The Cleveland Standard, 28 November 1952: HUT TENANTS TO BE GICVEN COUNCIL HOUSES. A recommendation that five tenants of Bell’s Huts, Carlin How, should have the next available council houses was made by the Skelton and Brotton Urban Council’s Health and Housing Committee at its meeting this week. Councillor H Farndale had asked if any further progress had been made towards rehousing the tenants in the huts. Some time ago, the Council obtained a demolition order against this property, and sent a letter to the residents asking for their views on being rehoused by the council. The replies read by the clerk, Mr F Wilkinson, to the committees showed that six of the 11 tenants are not desirous of leaving Carlin How. The Council had taken the lead in condemning these buildings said Councillor G W Simpson, committee chairman, and had a moral obligation towards rehousing the people. After the recommendation had been approved for the immediate rehousing of five tenants, Councillor E Harker moved that plans for building a bungalows on the site be drawn up....

1953

The Cleveland Standard, 16 January 1953: SOUVENIRS WILL BE GIVEN BY THE COUNCIL. All children attending school in the Skelton and brotton urban areas and those under school age will receive a souvenir coronation mug from the urban council, the cost of providing the gifts to be met with an approximate 1d rate.... Stating that at two previous meetings he had opposed any grant to coronation activities by the Council, Councillor C Armstrong moved that no grant be made. In doing so he did not wish to be considered negative or disloyal, but finance had to be seriously considered by the Council, and he understood that the Council might have to face a further increase in county rate. Working parties had been organised in some villages to work for coronation funds with a view to keeping down the rate, and he felt that this should be the way celebrations were paid for. Opposition to this motion came from Councillor H Farndale who said “we shall be ‘mugs’ if we don't provide something for the children.” He reminded the Council that part of Carlin How village is in Loftus urban area, and part in Skelton and Brotton area. Those children in Loftus District are to receive a souvenir, declared Councillor Farndale, and if the Skelton and Brotton Council did not do anything, he would buy souvenirs for the other children in Carlin Howl, and those at Kilton, himself...

HIS PLEDGE FULFILLED. When Mr Herbert Farndale’s Craggs Hall Farm, Brotton, was bombed during the war, he resolved that when it was rebuilt, he would have a large parlour where the traditional cottage meetings could be held as in the days of his father and grand father. Methodists and others from Loftus, Carlin Howl and the Brotton district met at the farm last Saturday for a meeting conducted by the Rev a J Marchant. About 100 people were present.

SPORTING. Before business at Skelton and Brotton Road Safety Committee last night, the chairman, Councillor K Moore, on behalf of members, warmly congratulated Councillor H Farndale, a member, on his recent election as member of the North Riding County Council. Councillor Farndale was an Independent candidate. The Labour candidate at the election was Councillor Moore!

1965

COUNCILLOR GIVES UP FARMING. Councillor Herbert Farndale, of Cragg Hall Farm, Carlin How, is retiring from farming. His farm is to be sold by public auction next month. Councillor Farndale, 73, was born on the farm, where his father, the late Mr Matthew Farndale, took over in 1882. Councillor Farndale, whose grand father was also a Cleveland farmer, succeeded his father on the farm in 1921. He is a member of Skelton and Brotton Urban Council, having served since 1949, and is a well known Methodist.

He retired to live at 10, The Avenue, Brotton.

1971

Herbert Farndale, died at the Cleveland Cottage Hospital, Brotton of uraemia, on 23 July 1971 (Death Certificate). This information also provided by Donald Farndale, (FAR00947) nephew, of How-la-hay Farm, Guisborough. Herbert Farndale aged 79 was buried, Brotton New Churchyard, on 27 July 1971 (PR).

Herbert Farndale, died 23rd July 1971 aged 79 (Mon R).

Probate: FARNDALE Herbert of 10 The Avenue Brotton Saltburn by the Sea Yorks died 23 July 1971 Probate Newcastle upon Tyne 15 February. £16096.

2021

Craggs Hall as it was in 2021