Act 32

Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen

Field Marshall the Viscount Montgomery (“Monty”) inspects the Troop of Lieutenant Farndale in 1950

The Farndales who took up arms from the army of Henry V to the Gulf War

A millennium of military service

Return to the Matrix

Bands of Brothers We few, we happy few, we band of brothers Henry V, Act 4, Scene 2

The Ballad of Tommy Atkins For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' Chuck him out, the brute!" But it's "Saviour of 'is country" when the guns begin to shoot; An' it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' anything you please; An' Tommy ain't a bloomin' fool - you bet that Tommy sees! Rudyard Kipling

Dulce et Decorum est pro patria mori Wilfred Owen’s poem drafted at Craiglockhart, Edinburgh, in the first half of October 1917 and later revised, probably at Scarborough, in early 1918.

Scene 1 - Medieval Soldiers

You might recall, in another age, in Act 10 of our Story, that we met John de Farendale who served under Harry Hotspur and others with an expeditionary force into Scotland in 1384, and that he was later joined by his probable brothers Henry Farendon and William Faryndon, in another flurry north in 1389.

Then we met Richard Farendale of Sherifhoton who served in the Hundred Years War in Brittany in 1380 and was part of another expeditionary force to Scotland in 1400. He served in the army of Henry V, perhaps in the Agincourt campaign and certainly afterwards, at Harfleur and the Siege of Mantes. When he died he left an impressive catalogue of military equipment including a horse, saddle and reins, and armour, comprising a bascinet, medieval combat helmet, a breast plate, a pair of vembraces, armoured forearm guards and a pair of rerebraces, armour designed to protect the upper arms, with leg harnesses.

His three daughters witnessed the Wars of the Roses from the heart of the Neville homeland.

10 – Medieval Warfare Tales of archers and men at arms who fought with Richard II, Henry IV and Henry V and an observation post in the home of the Nevilles and Richard III from which to view the Wars of the Roses

The History of Sheriff Hutton to 1500 A history of Sheriff Hutton which will take you to the lands of the Nevilles and Richard III during the Wars of the Roses

Scene 2 - The War of Jenkins Ear and death on the Spanish Main

We have also met Able Seaman Giles Farndale, who served with the Royal Navy from 29 June 1740 until he died at sea in the Caribbean on 9 May 1741. He was press-ganged at Whitby, when he would have been 27 years old. He was posted to the HMS Experiment, a brig with a compliment of 130, as No 101 Able Seaman.

He almost certainly took part in the War of Jenkins’ Ear in the Spanish Main under Admiral Vernon and was probably involved in the Battle of Cartagena de Indias[1] in March 1741. No circumstances are recorded of the reason for his death, but he probably died in the aftermath of the disaster at Cartagena, when soldiers and sailors were crammed on ships, rife with disease.

Giles Farndale

1713 to 1742

Press ganged into the Royal Navy, Giles served on HMS Experiment in the Spanish Main during the War of Jenkins Ear where he died and was buried at sea

Scene 3 – Victorian military expeditions

The Crimean War

Private John George Farndale saw service between 1853 and 1856 possibly first with the Coldstream Guards and then with the 28th Regiment of Foot. In March 1852, the Regiment was ordered to leave its headquarters in Newcastle, to send parties to Woolwich for practice at the Royal Arsenal and in the Marshes. The Regiment was soon making the privates proficient in military tactics[2].

The Crimean War arose at a time of the decline of the Ottoman Empire and the expansion of Russia in the preceding Russo-Turkish Wars. The British and French sought to preserve the Ottoman Empire to maintain the balance of power in central Europe. In July 1853 Russian Troops entered the Danubian Principalities, now part of Romania, and in October, with promises of support from France and Britain, the Ottomans declared War on Russia. The Ottomans led by Omar Pasha fought a strong defensive campaign. Public opinion was hostile to Russia and Austria and Napoleon III was ready for action against Russia. The British and French both saw intervention as a struggle against tyranny. By January 1854, the British and French were worried about an Ottoman defeat and entered the Black Sea. The Allies decided that they would attack Russia’s main naval base in the Black Sea at Sevastopol on the Crimean Peninsula. The Italian Kingdom of Sardinia also sent an expeditionary force to Crimea to join the French, British and the Ottomans.

By February 1854 the 28^th of Foot was amongst 10 battalions of 1,000 strong each, which were expected to embark immediately for the Mediterranean stations[3]. On Thursday at noon, the 28th Regiment of Foot left Leeds, en route for Constantinople. Immense excitement attended their departure. From the barracks to the railway station they were most enthusiastically cheered by thousands of spectators, who filled the streets. It is estimated that no not less than 60,000 persons assembled to see them off. So strong a war spirit has never before been manifested in the town, and it was with difficulty that the soldiers could pass through the streets. The 28th went to Preston, and will embark probably on Saturday, on board the Niagara, at Liverpool, for their destination. [4] Finally Wednesday is fixed for the departure of the 28th Regiment from Liverpool in the Niagara. 28th Regiment of Foot left Leeds on Monday, en route for Liverpool. Immense excitement attended their departure. The Cunard steamer Niagara, Captain Leitch, will take her departure from the Mersey, in her new character as one of her Majesty's troop ships, on Wednesday next, with the gallant 28th Regiment, about one thousand strong, on board. She is now in the river, her fittings having been completed, and received the approbation of the Admiralty agents. The figurehead and cutwater of the Niagara have been removed. On the exciting occasion of the embarkation, she will in all probability be anchored in the Sloyne, and the troops will be taken on board by one of the Cunard’s tenders, either from the Prince’s Pier or the Great Landing Stage. The 28th regiment is now at Preston. They will enter the town, it is thought, on Wednesday, when we have no doubt they will receive in enthusiastic reception from her Majesty's good lieges of Liverpool. The 28th Regiment distinguished itself at Quartre Bras, and has on its colours Corunna, Albuera, Vittoria, and Waterloo.[5]

On 14 September 1854, the Allies, comprising the British, French, Ottoman and Sardinian Forces, landed at Calamita Bay. They planned to march immediately upon Sevastopol, known as Sebastopol by the British, which was the capitol of the Crimea. On 4 November 1854, John Farndale wrote to his father that he had landed without opposition September 14th, and started for Alma on the 18th[6]. John George Farndale took part in the battles of Alma[7], Balaclava[8] and Inkerman[9] and was at the Siege of Sebastopol[10].

John wrote home to his father in November.

Heights of Sebastopol, November 4th, 1854.

Dear Father.

I received your letter of 26th of last month, and was glad to hear that you were all well and in the enjoyment of health. I suppose your papers in England say that Sebastopol is taken, but I can tell you very differently. It is now seventeen days since we commenced the attack on the town, and there is no sign of it being taken yet. I thought we should have had it by now, but I assure you it is no easy task.

Since I wrote last we have had great ravages in the army – the first by sickness; then the cholera came amongst us and swept a great many away.

We went on board for Russia, in the latter part of August, and landed without opposition September 14th, and started for Alma on the 18th. On the 20th we were before Alma, and commenced the attack about eleven o’clock against 50,000 Russians, and defeated them after three hours’ cannonading and musketry; and it took us two days to bury the dead, and send our wounded on board ship for Scurati.

We then started for Sebastopol, and reached it after eight or nine days’ march; we had to go a great way round. As soon as we got in front and settled, we commenced throwing up batteries and breast works, under fire of the enemy. We finished them after about five days and nights’ hard working, and opened fire on them on the 17th of last month, and have been battering away ever since, and are likely to continue doing so for some time to come. We have greater opposition than we expected. There was a faint attack made on our rear army a few days ago, which cut up our cavalry fearfully, but were defeated in the end. Our loss is not so great, considering all the circumstances of the case. I have escaped as yet, thank God! I have had a narrow escape: one morning, as we were relieving guard, two privates and a sergeant were shot close by me with one ball.

I think I have given you all particulars up to the present. Next time I write, I hope Sebastopol will have fallen.

Your affectionate son.

John George Farndale.[11]

John Farndale was promoted to Lance Corporal, in about January 1855.

John was laid up in my tent with frost bitten feet nearly all this month, but I am better again and fit for duty[12] and in February 1855 he wrote another letter home.

Camp before Sebastopol.

I now take the first opportunity of writing to you hoping you are in good health as I am at present. I received your letter on the 5th of this month and also the newspaper and was glad to hear from you. You are in great haste to hear from me again, you hardly will give time to write! I have been for writing all this month but had not the ink. I had to send to Balaclava for it. I have been laid up in my tent with frost bitten feet nearly all this month, but I am better again and fit for duty. I have had capitol health ever since I landed in the Crimea, thank God for it. I can assure you there is very few of the old hands left now of what came out with us from England.

The Colonel received your letter and thinks that I never write to you by the way you write. As to the promotion you were talking about, I received the Lance Stripe about a month ago. The Colonel promised to push me forward if I minded myself, but he was afraid to promote me sooner on account of being so very young. You also mention in your last that you heard from D W Waldy that I was slightly wounded. I never received any wound more than a slight cut on the nose from a stone that was sent up from a ball.

The siege is progressing very slowly but I think we will soon open a new siege. Things begin to look a little better. We have received the winter clothing and are getting provisions a little better. We want the wooden houses next, although I think as we have done so long without, we could manage without them altogether. However I hope that before you get this, Sebastopol will be ours and then we will be thinking about returning to old England again.

I think I have given you all the news I can at present. The Colonel will send you a few lines in this letter of mine. I am getting tired and want to go to bed, so I must conclude with kind love to brothers and sisters and all enquiring friends. I accept the same yourself.

Your affectionate son.

J G Farndale.[13]

Edward Garntonsvay Waldy was a gentleman appointed as Ensign[14] with the 28th Foot. He was the son of T W Waldy, Esq of Eaglescliffe[15].

Reinforcements came in February when ten infantry regiments including 28^th Foot are forthwith to have each a second battalion of 190 companies of 100 men each, thus increasing their strength respectively by 1,000 bayonets[16]. Lord Raglan had summarised the situation at the end of January in his Despatch home. There are severe frosts at night; but the sun shines brightly through the day, and there is an absence of wind, which , while it continued, added considerably to the sufferings of the troops. Every exertion is made by public transport and individually in getting huts up; but this is the most difficult operation, and the ground is so rotten that it is a most arduous labour to pass along it.[17]

The Allies started to restore their supply lines after the winter ended. A new Grand Crimean Central Railway was built by the end of March 1855 and brought supplies to Balaklava and the siege lines, delivering over 500 guns and significant amounts of ammunition. The Allies resumed their bombardment on 8 April 1855.

At about that time, John wrote another letter.

Camp before Sebastopol. 1855

Dear Sir.

I now hasten to answer your letter which I received this morning. I was glad to hear from I assume you! My father oft mentions you in his letters. I have had a letter written these two or three days waiting for the mail to send to father. I have to say you have had all particulars from him about the war. You ask when will we get into Sebastopol? I can tell you we are making great preparations. We are getting a great many more guns than we had before, and mortars which will fire 112 pounders, which will shake Sebastopol. And if they do not give up then, we will storm it by force. English, French and Turks. There will be a great many lives lost in taking it, we have lost all our army we have brought with us. They are all young soldiers who have come out last.

If I live to see it over and get back to old England again, which by the blessing of God I hope to do, I will tell you tales that will make your hair stand on end!

You ask if all accounts were true about what I sent you. I can assure you it was but too true. Now the weather is a great deal warmer and better provisions. When the main army has gone to the grave, any man who has got …[18]

On 28 August 1855 the Russians abandoned the southern side of Sebastopol. The fall of Sebastopol led to Russia’s defeat in the Crimean War, but cost heavy Allied casualties. The Crimean War was one of the first campaigns which used techniques of modern warfare including explosive naval shells, railways and telegraphs. But the War showed significant logistical, medical and tactical failures and led to the professionalism of medicine led by Florence Nightingale. The Imperial Russian Army would take decades to recover and the defeat would be a catalyst for social reforms and the abolition of serfdom in Russia.

John George Farndale, went to Canada in 1870 and there is an un-substantiated story that he went to Australia first. He lived the rest of his life in Ontario Canada and we have already encountered his family’s story there in Act 24.

The Crimean War

Read the full story of John Farndale’s experiences and his reports home from the Crimean War

The Grenadier Guards

John Farndale was discharged from the Grenadier Guards on 25 July 1872[19]. He received £10 compensation. He had served for 3 years and 323 days. This was most likely to have been John Farndale of Clerkenwell London.

The Grenadier Guards spent most of the late nineteenth century on garrison and ceremonial duties in London, Windsor and Dublin. The years following the Crimean War saw changes to the uniforms and equipment and fundamental reform brought about mainly by two Secretaries of State for War, Sidney Herbert and Edward Cardwell. Flogging was phased out until it was abolished in 1881 and illiteracy was reduced by better education. The practice of enlistment for life was also phased out and the purchase of commissions ended in 1871. Military training was changed drastically, and the Guards were housed near training areas outside London, at Warley until 1877, then Caterham until 1959, and Pirbright from 1882.

This was the time of the Franco-Prussian War[20] and the British Expedition to Abyssinia[21], a rescue mission and punitive expedition carried out in 1868 against the Ethiopian Empire. Emperor Tewodros II of Ethiopia, often referred to as Theodore, imprisoned several missionaries and two representatives of the British government in an attempt to force the British government to comply with his requests for military assistance. The punitive expedition launched by the British in response required the transportation of a sizeable military force hundreds of kilometres across mountainous terrain lacking any road system. The formidable obstacles to the action were overcome by the commander of the expedition, General Robert Napier, who captured the Ethiopian capital, and rescued all the hostages. Historian Harold G. Marcus described the action as one of the most expensive affairs of honour in history[22].

Steady the Buffs

William George Farndale served as a soldier[23] with the Buffs, possibly in the Zulu War 1879, the Anglo-Egyptian War 1882, the Mahdist War in Sudan in 1884, in Malta and India.

William was born in Brotton in 1857[24] brought up on the small 35 acre clifftop farm of Ladgates near Saltburn. His father died in 1876 and his mother then struggled to keep afloat with a grocery business that went into bankruptcy and then as a laundress. William’s three elder sisters had all died young between 1871 and 1875 leaving their young children with their widowed mother.

William attested into the army at Canterbury at the age of 22 on 13 May 1879 with service number 1436. He joined the 45th Brigade, an infantry Brigade. William was a carpenter by trade.[25]

In 1879, the 45th Brigade Depot at Canterbury was associated with The Buffs (East Kent Regiment), a historic infantry regiment[26]. The regimental depot for the Buffs, which was already established in Canterbury Barracks under the Cardwell Reforms for their two battalions. The Cardwell Reforms of the 1870s established regimental depots, and The Buffs, already having two battalions, used Canterbury as their base.

A couple of decades earlier, in 1858 when the 2nd Battalion was stationed in Malta and quartered with the 21st Royal (North British) Fusiliers, the Adjutant ensured strict discipline on the parade ground from his raw recruits, shouting Steady, The Buffs! The Fusiliers are watching you! This greatly amused the Fusiliers who took to calling out Steady, The Buffs! on any occasion. This continued after Malta whenever the two regiments met. The jaunt caught on and was soon shouted whenever the Buffs marched by. It then passed into common usage, even appearing in Rudyard Kipling's novel Soldiers Three and his play Pity Poor Mama[27].

Shortly before William’s attestation the Buffs (East Kent Regiment) were active with their 2nd Battalion fighting in the Zulu War. The Anglo Zulu War began in January 1879[28]. As part of No. 1 Column (the Coastal Column) under Colonel Charles Pearson, the Buffs were advancing toward the missionary station at Eshowe when they encountered a Zulu force at the Inyezane River on 22 January 1879[29]. The Buffs successfully repelled the attack, fighting the Zulus in a sharp engagement that lasted about an hour, and continued their advance. Following the disaster at the Battle of Isandlwana when 1,200 British soldiers were wiped out also on 22 January 1879, the central British column was destroyed, leaving the Coastal Column isolated. The Buffs were subsequently besieged at Eshowe for 67 days, from 23 January until they were relieved in March 1879. Although not subjected to a direct Zulu attack on the fortifications, the regiment endured the hardships of a prolonged siege. After the siege was lifted, elements of the Buffs formed part of the relief column's hodgepodge battalion which engaged the main Zulu impi at the Battle of Gingindlovu on 2 April 1879. The British force, using a well-fortified lager, inflicted a decisive defeat on the Zulu army.

We know that William Farndale joined after this on 14 May 1879, at the Buff’s Depot in Canterbury.

There was a second phase of the Zulu Wars. After Eshowe was relieved, the Buffs were assigned to Major-General Crealock's 1st Division. During this period, they were primarily employed in escorting supply convoys and did not see further major action, missing the final battle of Ulundi. Some individual members of the Buffs served elsewhere, including with the 1st Squadron Mounted Infantry at other key battles like Hlobane, Khambula, and Ulundi[30].

The Regiment was also involved in garrison duties across the British Empire.

There is no sign of William George Farndale in the 1881 census, so he was probably still serving at this time. Generally a British soldier stationed overseas during census records of this period did not appear in the census returns. The census was designed to enumerate the population present in the UK on a specific night, with overseas military coverage only becoming consistent in 1911. His non appearance is therefore indicative that he may have been serving at the time.

The First Battalion served during the Anglo-Egyptian War of 1882. The Anglo-Egyptian War of 1882[31] was a brief conflict where Britain invaded Egypt to suppress the 'Urabi Revolution, a nationalist uprising challenging Khedive Tewfik Pasha's rule and European influence. After bombarding Alexandria, British forces, led by Sir Garnet Wolseley, defeated the Egyptian army at the Battle of Tel-El-Kebir, leading to the capture of Cairo, exile of rebel leader Ahmed 'Urabi, and the establishment of de facto British control and occupation of Egypt, crucial for safeguarding the Suez Canal.

The Buffs were involved in the second engagement at Kassassin Lock on 9 September 1882, a vital position on the route to the main Egyptian fortifications. The Battle of Tel el-Kebir[32] was the final and decisive battle of the war, fought on 13 September 1882. The Buffs formed part of the 2nd Brigade in the 1st Division, which executed a successful surprise dawn attack on the heavily fortified Egyptian lines after a night march. The Egyptian army was decisively defeated, leading to the capture of Cairo and the end of the rebellion. For their distinguished service in the campaign, the 1st Battalion was awarded the battle honours Egypt 1882 and Tel-El-Kebir. Following the war, the battalion remained in the region for garrison duty in Cyprus before moving on to India and participating in the Mahdist War in the Sudan.

The Regiment served in the forces under General Graham, which were sent to the Red Sea port of Suakin to suppress the Mahdist leader Osman Digna's threat to the coastal area. They were involved in the Battle of El Teb[33] and the Battle of Tamai[34] in early 1884. At Tamai, the British forces faced fierce, close-quarters combat against determined Sudanese tribesmen.

The 1st Battalion participated in the Battle of Ginnis on 30 December 1885[35], part of the Anglo-Egyptian force that advanced to relieve the Dervish blockade of the Ginnis-Kosheh area. This engagement is historically notable as the last battle in which the British Army fought wearing its traditional red coats.

After their service in the Sudan, the 1st Battalion was stationed in Malta and then moved to India for garrison duties.

The Second Boer War

4505 Private N Farndale, may have been a son of William George Farndale, possibly born out of wedlock in about 1876. This is suggested by his military service and his service in the Buffs, William’s Regiment.

N Farndale served during the Second Boer War, with Second Battalion The East Kent Regiment, the Buffs. He was in action at Paardeberg and during the Relief of Kimberley. The war lasted from 1899 to 1902 and N Farndale was listed on a Roll at Balmoral on 20 August 1901, as having taken part in the campaign, so he had returned from South Africa by then.

He was still in Sussex on 22 August 1899 when, at a cricket match, the local team’s opponents on Thursday were the Buffs, who, batting first, knocked up 151. The Buffs, Private Farndale, caught Allen, bowled G A Hammond, 6 runs.

The Second Battalion saw action during the Second Boer War with Captain Naunton Henry Vertue of the Second Battalion serving as brigade major to the 11th Infantry Brigade at the Battle of Spion Kop where he was mortally wounded in January 1900.

The Battle of Paardeberg or Horse Mountain[36], was fought between 18 and 27 February 1900, during the Second Anglo-Boer War. It was fought near Paardeberg Drift on the banks of the Modder River in the Orange Free State near Kimberley. It was part of the Relief of Kimberley[37]. Lieutenant General Herbert Kitchener had taken overall command of the British force. Kitchener ordered his infantry and mounted troops into a series of uncoordinated frontal assaults against the Boer laager, although frontal assaults against entrenched Boers had cost the British time and again in the preceding months. The British were shot down in droves. It is thought that not a single British soldier got within 180 metres of the Boer lines. By nightfall on 18 February 1900, some 24 officers and 279 men had been killed and 59 officers and 847 men wounded. It was the worse reverse of the war and became known as Bloody Sunday.

Canadian Troops at Paardeberg

Following the end of the war in South Africa in June 1902, 540 officers and men of the Second Battalion returned to Britain on the SS St. Andrew leaving Cape Town in early October, and the Battalion was subsequently stationed at Dover.

Sergeant William Leng Farndale was a Sergeant in the Northumberland Imperial Yeomanry (Hussars) in 1902. They had also served in the Second Boer War, and William may have taken part in that campaign.

The Hussars parade through Rothbury, William’s home town in Northumberland, in 1900

The Yeomanry was not intended to serve overseas, but due to the string of defeats during Black Week in December 1899, the British government realised they were going to need more troops than just the regular army. A Royal Warrant was issued on 24 December 1899 to allow volunteer forces to serve in the Second Boer War. The Royal Warrant asked standing Yeomanry regiments to provide service companies of about 115 men each for the Imperial Yeomanry equipped as Mounted infantry. The regiment provided 14th (Northumberland) Company, 5th Battalion in 1900; 15th (Northumberland) Company, 5th Battalion in 1900; 55th (Northumberland) Company, 14th Battalion in 1900, transferred to 5th Battalion in 1902; 100th (Northumberland) Company, 5th Battalion in 1901; 101st (Northumberland) Company, 5th Battalion in 1901; 105th (Northumberland) Company, 5th Battalion in 1901 and 110th (Northumberland) Company, 2nd Battalion in 1901.

The mounted infantry experiment was considered a success and the Regiment was designated the Northumberland Imperial Yeomanry (Hussars) from 1901 to 1908.

William Leng Farndale continued to serve with the Yeomanry until about 1907, regularly organising social balls. He later became Rothbury’s brewer.

There was an F A Farndale-Williams who was a second lieutenant with the Moulmein Volunteer Rifles on 30 March 1907 who appeared under Indian Army Orders. The double barelled name suggests that he may have been descended from the Farndale family.

Scene 4 - First World War

The members of the family whose fortune was to have been male and born between about 1880 and 1900 were, in all probability, destined for the horrors of industrial war in the second decade of the twentieth century. Forty members of our family served in the First World War.

The Leeds Pal

George Weighill Farndale was a 24 year old warehouseman in Leeds in 1911[38], descended from the Bishop Wilton Line who we met in Act 16 Scene 2. As the war broke out, he was a member of the Colton Institute Cricket Club in Leeds[39] and he worked for wholesale woollen manufacturers and merchants. By 1916, he served with 15th Battalion (1^st Leeds), The Prince of Wales’s Own (West Yorkshire Regiment), known as the Leeds Pals[40]. He was wounded in 1916 after the first attack at the Battle of the Somme. On Tuesday ten more wounded soldiers arrived at Portal. They included Private G Farndale, 15th West Yorks. The men's wounds are not of a serious nature. They are all most cheerful. They were conveyed from Chester Station by motor cars, kindly lent by the Honourable Mrs Marshall Brooks, Mrs Gordon Houghton, Mr Broughton, Mr G Bebington. Sister Searl met them at the station.[41] Private P M Jones, who was buried in a frontline trench and was injured in the back, is in a French convalescent camp. The latter, prior to enlistment, was employed by Messrs Ashworth, Brown, and company. Another employee of the same firm wounded is Private G W Farndale, whose home is at Colton. His wound is in the shoulder. He is in hospital at Tarporley, Cheshire.[42] On the first day on the Somme, on 1 July 1916, the Leeds Pals were shelled in their trenches before Zero Hour at 07.30 hours and when they advanced, they were met by heavy machine gun fire. A few men got as far as the German barbed wire but no further. The battalion casualties, sustained in the few minutes after Zero Hour, were 24 officers and 504 other ranks, of which 15 officers and 233 other ranks were killed. Private A V Pearson, of the Leeds Pals later wrote, the name of Serre and the date of 1st July is engraved deep in our hearts, along with the faces of our 'Pals', a grand crowd of chaps. We were two years in the making and ten minutes in the destroying.[43] George was wounded in July 1916, presumably in the Somme offensive. He seems to have been relatively lucky but what horrors he witnessed can only be imagined.

A year later 15/319 Lance Corporal George Farndale was Killed in Action, aged 30, during the Third Battle of the Scarpe, part of the Arras offensive, on 3 May 1917[44].

From 9 April to 16 May 1917, British troops attacked German defences near the French city of Arras on the Western Front. The British achieved the longest advance of the quagmire of trench warfare, improving on the record set by the French Sixth Army on 1 July 1916. However the British advance slowed over the following few days and the German defence recovered. The battle became a costly stalemate for both sides and by the end of the battle, the British Third and First Army had suffered about 160,000 and the German 6th Army about 125,000 casualties.

The British effort was an assault on a relatively broad front between Vimy in the north-west and Bullecourt to the south-east. After a long preparatory bombardment, the Canadian Corps of the First Army in the north fought the Battle of Vimy Ridge and took the ridge. The Third Army in the centre advanced astride the Scarpe River and in the south, the British Fifth Army attacked the Hindenburg Line (Siegfriedstellung) but made few gains.

Third Battle of the Scarpe lasted from 3 to 4 May 1917. The British launched their attack near the Scarpe on 3 May. They were not able to make any significant advances and the attack was called off the following day after incurring heavy casualties.

The Arras Offensive

The Battle of Arras, Spring 1917

Personal accounts of the offensive.

The quiet and gentle boy who was very much liked by all who knew him

George Farndale was a 20 year old blacksmith striker in 1911[45], living with his father John Farndale, a miner’s deputy and his mother Susannah. He was part of the Whitby 5 Line and we met his family in Act 15 Scene 3.

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)[46].

George Farndale,

He was sent to France on 8 April 1917. Waiting for embarkation at Folkestone, he wrote to his sister, Annie Farndale. 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.[47]

From France on 19 April 1917, he wrote to his sister again. Received letter 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.[48] In this correspondence he referred to the Girl, who seems to have been his recent fiancée.

On 24 April 1917, he wrote to Annie again. 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.[49]

On the same day he wrote a proforma letter.

A month after writing to his sister, on 20 May 2017, George was involved in an attack when we went over and took the German front line trench, which we held for 2 days and then were relieved. He was with his mate, Private R Sellers that day. George was killed in action a week later on 27 May 1917, aged 26, in the same Arras offensive that had killed his kinsman George Weighill Farndale twenty four days earlier[50].

On 2 June his platoon commander wrote to his father. 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.[51]

His pal wrote to his sister Annie on the same day. 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.[52]

On 19 April 1917, the Girl, who, it turns out, was called Dolly, wrote to George’s sister. 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.[53]

It was also reported that 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.[54]

Brothers in Arms

We have followed the story of the Tidkinhow family, who emigrated to Canada and to USA. Thus it was that in the Great War of 1914 to 1918, three brothers joined three different armies. William Farndale was the first to join the Canadian Army in April 1916. His little brother Alf, tried to join the British army when under age, but was sent home and rejoined in 1917, serving at Passchendaele and in Mesopotamia. Their older brother, Jim, who had moved on from Canada to the United States, joined the US Army in 1917, shortly after the USA joined to conflict. Three brothers, served in three different armies, for a common cause.

James, Alfred, William at Tidkinhow in 1911 (brothers in arms)

The Canadian

William Farndale was born in Tidkinhow, but had emigrated to Saskatchewan, where he was a butcher. He is my great uncle. We met him in Act 25.

William joined the Canadian Army on 19 April 1916[55]. William had consoled his younger brother Alfred, my grandfather, at their mother’s funeral in 1911. I remember William looking after me at mother's funeral. I was crying and very upset.[56] Only four years later Alf had joined the British Army in late 1915, though he was a little younger than he should have been, and had to wait to try again.

William Farndale

William was wounded in action at Vimy Ridge on 13 December 1916 while serving with the 28th Battalion. He took a gunshot wound in the right forearm.[57] Loss of function, right arm, penetrating gun shot wound at forearm with compound comminuted fracture of radius. Bbullet entered inner surface of forearm, two inches below elbow, and passed directly through the arm, coming out on the other side, and splintering the radius in its passage. Severe inflammation of the arm followed, and inflammation, and sequestrum formed and was removed. Had erysipilis while in hospital, 23rd CC Station, 24th General Hospital (British) Etaples from 17 Jan to 23 April 1917, Reading War Hospital from 23 April to 12 July 1917, MC Hospital Epsom, since 12 July 1917. Wounds all healed. The wound and exit wound shows the remains of a sinus from the radius not discharging now. Has wrist drop, and is wearing a dorsiflexion splint. Flexion and extension of elbow are greatly limited and pronation and supination are absolutely stopped, in a position of partial supination. Is otherwise normal.[58]

From December 1916 to March 1917, the Canadian Corps executed fifty five trench raids. Competition between units had developed with units competing for the honour of the greatest number of prisoners captured. The policy of aggressive trench raiding was not without its cost. A large-scale trench raid on 13 February 1917, involving 900 men from the 4th Canadian Division, resulted in 150 casualties.

He wrote from hospital to his sister Grace during the following month.

Left hand of course. Jan 12.

Dear Sister.

I will try and write to you. I find I am doing fairly well but I have got a very bad arm. I was hit with an explosive bullet which made a hole through two inches wide and broke both bones. They give me very little hope of my arm being any good but I hope it will not be so bad. I had an awful hard time in France. I had four operations in two weeks. They could not get it stopped bleeding and I got so weak that I could not feed myself. But I am alright now, but not able to get up yet for two weeks or so. I may have to have another operation. Not sure yet. Going to have my arm x-rayed shortly. I want you to write a letter for me to Sister Armstrong, 23 CCS, BEF, France. Give her my address and tell her I am getting along alright. This is not a very nice hospital, but good doctors. If you send a parcel, send me a toothbrush and hairbrush. I expect I will be here three months. I tried to get into Yorkshire so you could come and see me, but this is as far as I could get. If my arm does not get better it is likely I will get sent back to Canada in the Spring, but I will never see France any more.

I am awful sorry that Alf had to go. If ever he gets to France I will want to go back again.

Your affectionate brother W F.[59]

William was discharged from the Army at Calgary on 18 February 1918. After his return to Regina, he used his car to take patients to hospital during the great influenza epidemic of 1918. He caught the ‘flu while still weak from his wound and died at Earl Grey, Saskatchewan, Canada, aged 25 years on 23 November 1918. He was buried in Earl Grey, Saskatchewan. William had been engaged to a girl in Earl Grey at the time of his death.[60]

William Farndale’s medals and his war memorial

Passchendaele

My grandfather Alf later recalled, the war came in 1914 and I was just 17. I wanted to join up so I ran away and joined up at the local recruiting office at Northallerton, somewhere in South Parade I think. I joined the West Yorks but my father found out and said I was under age, which I was. The CO wanted me to stay on the band, but father wouldn’t hear of it and I came out. I remember being very proud of my first leave in uniform. Then one day they called for volunteers for the Machine-Gun Corps and I stepped forward. We went to Belton Park, near Grantham for training. I joined 239^th Company MGC and we were attached to the Middlesex Regiment.[61]

Alf Farndale Machine Gun Corps at Belton Park, Grantham in 1917

He joined the British Expeditionary Force in France on 12 July 1917. He embarked at Southampton on 13 July and disembarked at Le Havre on 17 July 1917. He had been posted to 239th Company MGC BEF 13 July 1917. His Medical History Record showed he was 5 ft 6 ¼ inches height and 133 lbs.[62] The 239th Machine Gun Company (“MGC”) was a unit in the British Machine Gun Corps attached to the 47th (2nd London) Division in France. The Company joined the Division on 17 July 1917, and had seen action in the Battle of the Somme in the closing days of the engagement, before Alfred joined them.[63]

On 17 July 1917 the Company marched to join 47th (London) Division at Westoutre and went to Curragh Camp. The Company was then training in camp until 9 August 1917. Westoutre (now Westouter) is close to the French-Belgian border en route towards Ypres. During this period a detachment of 2 officers and 38 Other Ranks were immediately detached to support 142 Machine Gun Company during their forthcoming operations on 29 July 1917 during which time they were engaged at Caterpillar Crater. They returned to 239 Company on 5 August 1917. Alfred may have been part of this group. Alfred recalled that they were also at Dickiebush camp. This camp was at the modern town of Dikkebus and the location of the Dickenbusch Military Cemetery.

Ypres, France, 1917 (Alfred centre, rear) and coloured by AI

The Third Battle of Ypres, also known as the Battle of Passchendaele, began on 31 July and continued to 10 November 1917. On 17 August 1917, 239 MGC began a sudden move by tactical train to II Corps area. On 18 August 1917, they were at Busseboom and orders were received for two sections to take over barrage positions. Busseboom is due west of Ypres near Poperinge. During the night of 18 to 19 August, two sections took over barrage positions under orders of 141 Infantry Brigade. On the night of 20 to 21 August 1917 two sections from 239 Company worked on Bellawarde Ridge preparing positions for barrage. Six other ranks were wounded, though two remained on duty. On 21 August two sections proceeded to Bellawarde Ridge for barrage on Z day. Bellewaerde Ridge is located in Hooge, just east of Ypres, and was a key battleground, the site of fierce fighting. Alf recalled that he saw action at Zonnebeke and Westhoek which are in this area.

22 August 1917 was Z Day. The Company were in four batteries of four guns each. The positions of two batteries were in open shell holes and the other batteries took up position in old enemy trench positions. These positions were shelled at intervals during the night and day and the enemy sent over gas shells on two occasions. From midnight on 21/22 to midnight on 22/23 August 1917 nearly 150,000 rounds were fired by all four batteries. 3 other ranks were killed and 6 wounded. Second Lieutenant J R A Price was admitted to hospital.

At 11.30 on 23 August 1917 two batteries were withdrawn and two other ranks were sent to hospital, sick. On 24 August one other rank was wounded. One gun and its tripod was destroyed by shell fire. On 27 August 1917 one battery moved to J fire a special barrage to assist 15 Division. 20,000 rounds were fired by this battery. There was great difficulty keeping the guns going owing to the wet state of the ground. There was only one dug out for belt feeding. 4 other ranks were killed.

On 28 August 1917, inter company relief of two sections in the line was carried out successfully but CQMS killed and two other men wounded, bringing up rations. Two mules wounded. Alf was one of these men.

I remember an incident on the Menin Road galloping up with two limbers of ammunition towards the gun positions at Hooge. I was a Private but I was giving a lift to Quarter Master Sergeant Zaccarelli. The Germans started to shell us. They could clearly see us. I had one horse killed and I managed to cut him free and I then rode the other. Zaccarelli was killed; it was quite a party when I reported it. My Captain asked if there were any witnesses but there were none, otherwise I might have got something. I remember an officer coming up to me when we were under bombardment at Ypres and saying “How would you like to be in Saltburn now, Farndale?” We saw some action at Zonnebeke, Ploegstraat and Arras.[64]

His grandson, Nigel, later recalled during a twenty first century battlefield visit to Ypres, When we came to the notorious spot known as Hellfire Corner, we remembered the story he told us. He and Quartermaster Sergeant Zaccarelli had been galloping up to the Front with an ammunition limber when the Germans started to shell them. Zaccarelli was killed, along with a horse. My grandfather managed to cut the dead horse free, drag Zaccarelli’s body into a ditch and carry on up to the Front on one horse with his delivery of ammunition. It amounted to family legend because there were no witnesses or dates, just this memorable surname. We came across a small British war cemetery and there was the surname, only spelt slightly differently. Company Quartermaster Sergeant John Zottarelli died on August 28, 1917, a month into the battle of Passchendaele.

Footage of Hellfire Corner during the Third Battle of Ypres, 1917 The scene that confronted Alfred in August 1917

On 29 August 1917 positions for 4 batteries for barrage work were reconnoitred. A new officer, Second Lieutenant W L Boyt joined the Company. On 30 August digging was found almost impossible owing to the wet conditions of the ground. A mule wounded in the incident involving Alf on 28 August died during the night. By 31 August work on barrage positions was progressing well. An enemy aeroplane flew over battery positions at 1530 hrs but was out of range. On 1 September two sections were in barrage positions. On 2 September relief came from 195 Machine Gun Company and on 3 September the whole Company was in camp and then training for the following days.

On Sunday 9 September 1917 a church service was held for the men at the depot. During the night of 9 to 10 September 1917 Second Lieutenant A T Sinclair and two other ranks were killed and one wounded. Barrage positions were heavily shelled between 0230 and 0330 hrs and 24,000 rounds of small arms ammunition was fired in harassing the enemy. Three spare parts boxes were destroyed by shell fire and 24 boxes of small arms ammunition was taken up the line by pack animals. On 11 September 6,000 rounds were fired between 0230 and 0330 hrs and another 24 boxes of small arms ammunition taken up the line by pack animals.

Alfred’s grandson Nigel recalled that Alf would tell me about the noise, which was so loud, so deafening, it gave men mild concussion. They couldn’t even remember their names, they weren’t able to count to three. Alfred talked a lot about the mud. The drainage system on this reclaimed marshland had been destroyed by shelling. It was a landscape of mud, one big bog. As well as constantly dodging bullets, soldiers who slipped off the slippery duckboard walkways, just 18 inches wide, were drowned in an orange sea of bubbling, gas-poisoned mud. It was a death trap. In winter on the farm, when we got stuck in deep mud, he would say this was like the dry bit in Passchendaele, dry enough to sleep on.

Nigel Farndale, later wrote For my grandfather, Private Alfred Farndale, who died in the mud of Passchendaele, and again seventy years later in his bed, every man died in that battle, even those who survived. For the dark, life-sapping shadow that descended on them all snuffed out a vital spark.

During the night on 11 to 12 September 1917 the enemy shelled the 239 Company positions heavily with high explosive and gas shells. The Company fired 6,000 rounds in a harassing fire programme. 24 more boxes of ammunition were taken up the lines by pack animals and two mules were slightly wounded and a limber damaged. Another 6,000 rounds were fired the following night. In the early morning on 14 September and gun and tripod were destroyed by shell fire and 6,000 rounds were fired. During the night of 14 to 15 September another 6,000 rounds were fired and eight guns fired a special barrage at 0400 hrs to assist an attack on a strong post by a party of the right Brigade when 30,000 rounds were fired. On 16 September a creeping barrage was carried out by twelve guns when 12,000 rounds were fired. There was relief from 14 Machine Gun Corps at 1645 hrs, but the guns and their equipment could not be withdrawn owing to heavy shelling on the Ypres to Menin road. On 17 September the guns and equipment were got out by limbers and at 0500 hrs the Company prepared for a move.

Alfred also recalled that he had been with the unit first in action at Polygon Wood, which was in this area. Polygon Wood, Polygoonbos in Dutch, Bois du Polygone in French, is a forest located between Ypres and Zonnebeke. It was the scene for several battles during the First World War and there are at least two cemeteries of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission in the immediate vicinity of the wood. The wood had been held by the Germans since April 1915 but was later captured by the Australian 5th Division in the Battle of Polygon Wood in a battle a short time later between 26 September to 3 October 1917. Much of the woodland had been destroyed by the huge bombardments from both sides since 16 July and the area had changed hands several times. Assembled forward of the artillery in that later battle were Vickers machine-guns of the divisional machine-gun companies, 56 for the creeping machine-gun barrage and 64 SOS guns for emergency barrages against German counter-attacks and to increase the barrage towards the final objective.

Alf also said he saw action at Ploegsteert, about 16 km south of Ypres.

On 18 September 1917, the Company moved by road to Godewaersvelde and the men were comfortable in a barn. Godewaersvelde is about 10km west of Ypres. The Company had a period of training and recreation until 22 September, when they moved by rail to 1st Army Area. The train finally departed at 0315 hrs on 23 September and arrived at Savy Berlette Station the following morning, and moved to Agnieres, west of Arras, where billets were very scattered.

Alfred later recalled that they saw some action at Arras.

On 28 September 1917 the Company were ordered to hold in readiness to proceed overseas. They prepared on 29 September as they were inspected by Major General G F Gorringe commanding the 47th (London) Division who in a short speech expressed his pleasure at the behaviour and work of the Company since joining the division. Later Lieutenant General Sir George Frederick Gorringe KCB KCMG DSO had served during the Anglo-Boer War and in Palestine and on the Western Front. He commanded the 47^th (London) Division in France between September 1916 and March 1919. His nickname was Bloody Orange, from the rhyming slang. He was said to have had a rude and unpleasant personality, but he obviously liked 239 Company.

Mesopotamia

Alf then saw service overseas in Iraq and India from 14 October 1917 to 9 January 1920.

Then suddenly we were ordered to Marseilles and got on a troopship for Basra in Mesopotamia. After about 14 days we were in the Suez Canal and then the Red Sea. We landed at Basra and marched to Kut-el-Amara as part of a force under General Maud to relieve Townsend. About the middle of 1918 the Turks surrendered. We hung around for quite a while. I cut my thumb on a bully beef tin and it got poisoned. I was in hospital in Kut when 239th Company left for England.[65]

The Company entrained at Maroevil Station on 1 October and travelled to Marseilles over the following three days. On arriving on 4 October, they marched to Fournier Camp and spent the following days in preparation for their voyage. By 14 October, they sailed for Malta on SS Minominee. They arrived in Malta at St Paul’s Bay on 16 October but no one was allowed to land. They spent the day at Malta on 17 October and sailed on 18 October, arriving at Port Said on 22 October. Loading took place there which made the whole ship very filthy, especially the horse decks. They sailed from Port Said on 23 October and arrived in Suez on 24 October. The Company went for a short route march, which did everyone good. They left Suez on 26 October 1917. They continued at sea until 7 November 1917, when personnel and a few limbers transferred to SS Ekma, with animals and most of the transport transferring to SS Torilla.[66] SS Ekma arrived at Ashar, a port at Basrah on the Shatt Al Arab, on 8 November 1917.

The Company marched to No 3 Camp at Magil. Al Ma’Qil is the region of Basrah adjacent to the port. Transport had not arrived so no cooking utensils were available. The animals and most of the vehicles arrived at Ashar on 9 November. Almost every limber had been tampered with on the journey. The next few days were spent checking stores. They spent the next few weeks at Magil, with some hospital admissions. On 25 November Second Lieutenant S G Moody proceeded to the advance base at Baghdad. On the same day 4 riding horses and 2 light draught horses were drawn as remounts.

On 26 November 1917, the Company embarked on barges to proceed to Amara, about 100 kilometres north of Basrah, on the Tigris, where they arrived on 27 November 1917, with the following weeks in camp there. The Company was at Amara on Christmas Day 1917 but owing to rain no games or sports could be held, though the men had a comfortable midday meal. No extra rations were issued but the Petroliers gave a concert in the evening, which a good many attended. Boxing Day was spent in the improvement of camp. On 2 January 1918, the General Officer Commanding 18th Division inspected the Company. Owing to heavy rain during the night the camp was very muddy. The following weeks were spent in more training, church services, route marches, and lumber drill.

Then on 31 January 1918 the Company embarked on barges for Baghdad upstream on the Tigris river. The accommodation on the barges was good and the animals embarked without any trouble. The convoy then travelled to Baghdad and the men were quite comfortable. On 2 February, the convoy stopped at Kut for about four hours and on 3 February they picked up rations at Bghailan. On 4 February they passed Chesiphon.

The Company arrived in Baghdad at 1300 hrs on 5 February 1918. Owing to the high banks of the river it was very difficult to unload the limbers and the baggage and limber were not clear of the barges until 1930 hrs. No extra transport was available, and the limbers had to be unloaded in the dark. The company bivouacked outside the rest camp. On 6 February 1918 the Company moved by road to 53rd Infantry Brigade’s camp at Kadhimain, an area of northern Baghdad in a loop of the Tigris.

The following days were spent working on the camp which was a splendid site with lots of room and horse lines well away from the men’s lines. On 15 February the Company Officer Commanding visited Samarra to be briefed at the Divisional Headquarters on the employment of machine guns. On 16 February the Brigade Major informed the Officer Commanding that he wished a barrage scheme of machine guns for anti aircraft work prepared and they were ordered to relieve 176 Battery on 18 February. Gun pits were dug north of the camp for the anti aircraft machine gun barrage. On 19 February the Brigadier visited the camp and inspected arrangements for the anti aircraft barrage. He was very satisfied. Then a warning was given to stand to at 5pm as two aeroplanes were said to be approaching the direction of the camp, though nothing transpired on that occasion.

A football and cricket pitch was prepared south west of the camp on 21 February 1918. On 23 February 1918 Alf was admitted briefly to hospital in Baghdad with a knee issue[67].

A demonstration of the barrage was prepared on 1 March 1918 and 1,559 rounds were fired in a registration scheme on 4 March. There was a rehearsal of the barrage scheme on 7 March and a forward observation officer was used successfully, with 2,327 rounds fired. Then orders were received to prepare to move and stores and surplus were moved to Kadhimain station on 10 March. They moved the following day with good road all the way. They moved to Mashahidah on 13 March, to Sumaicha on 14 March, to Beled on 15 March, to Istabulat on 16 March and to Samarra on 18 March. The company were now at full war establishment. On 20 March, delayed by a day’s rain, the Brigade moved to a bridge to cross to the left bank, but had to return as the bridge was broken. They crossed successfully on 21 March and were then training again.

On 25 March 1918, British forces achieved a decisive victory over the Ottoman army during the Mesopotamian Campaign in the Action of Khan Baghdadi, west of Baghdad. The strategic move involved a mechanized flanking manoeuvre, which was highly unusual at the time, to encircle and capture the entire Ottoman force.

At the same time, 239 Company were engaged in an action at Quantaret north of Baghdad. This might have been at Owainat, further up the Tigris, on the approach to Tikrit, near to Ad Dawr. On 24 March 1918 the Company received orders for an attack at dawn on 25 March on the Quantaret position. The Company left for the Brigade Concentration Area at 1600 hrs and formed into their distribution for attack. Two sections were with the right column attacking east of the Nahrwan canal and one with the left column attacking west of the canal, with a section in reserve. The assault began at 0520 hrs on 25 March with machine gun sections to the right and left in position for covering fire. By 0700 hrs the Company then formed up and at a pow wow, the Divisional Commander was impressed that the noise of the limbers was not heard, yet the limbers had come forward over stony ground to within 1,000 feet of the enemy’s position. On 26 March the Brigade pushed on upstream in the direction of Daur, with two sections of the company with the advance guard and two sections with the main body. Before the main body reached the starting point, advanced troops reported they had been driven back and were holding on the line. The Brigade advanced to reinforce the advanced troops and to counter attack the enemy. A section of the machine gun company was sent to 94th Infantry, two sections were with the advance guard, and one section was in reserve. The two sections with the advance guard had only one opportunity to provide covering fire, but then, keeping up close with the infantry, got into a position to assist the advance from the line. Another section with 94th Infantry position twice gave covering fire and this action demonstrated that limbers could be used over rough country and when intelligently guided could be moved very close to the enemy positions without being seen. Had the limbers not been used, they could not have opened fire until they reached a position to be able to assist the advance. At 1330 hrs the company moved to its bivouac. On 27 March the Company recced and marked out trenches for defence of the line. Six guns were with 1/5 East Surrey Regiment; four guns with 10th Jats, an infantry regiment with the British Indian army and part of the Bengal command; four guns were controlling the crossing of the canal; and two guns were in reserve. The Brigade withdrew from Quantaret after dark on 28 March. They rested the following day.

The Brigade then became part of the Division operating around Samarra and another attack was ordered for dawn on 31 March. The Company left the starting point in the rain at 2115 hrs. The attack was then cancelled due to heavy rain and the state of the ground. Between 14 to 31 March the Company had marched a distance of about 110 miles. No men fell out and only four men were admitted to hospital. No animals also were sick. No difficulty was anywhere experienced with the limbers.

It rained in the early days of April when the Company were in camp at Samarra. By 13 April 1918, they were preparing the camp for hot weather. On 16 April the Company moved to the bridge to cross to the right bank, but at 1630 hrs it was decided that the current was too strong to allow any more troops or vehicles to cross the river and the Company returned to camp. On 17 April, they received orders that they would form part of a 55 Brigade column marching to Istabulat via Sadiyah on about 17 April 1918. The Company crossed to the right bank on 26 April and were in Istabulat from 27 April.

On 2 May there was a Commanding Officer’s conference at Brigade Headquarters and it was decided to form a column of Lewis guns. Preparations were made for the despatch of the Company for operations in motor vans. By 8 May the flies were very troublesome. On 17 May there was a recce of a route to a new pontoon bridge over the Tigris which had just been completed. On the same day an RAMC medic arrived, but this man has no surgical kit. By 18 May the Company was at a new camp which was excellent on high ground overlooking the river, although watering the animals was found to be a difficulty owing to the steepness of the banks. On 19 May, they moved again to a new camp on the left bank. The weather was getting hotter as they worked on the new camp.

24 May was Empire Day and GOC 55 Brigade sanctioned a holiday after 8am. Subscriptions were collected for a Red Cross donation from Company which totalled 200 RS. On 28 May they were digging anti aircraft emplacements. No 2 Section was involved in operations using Ford Vans in May, including at Fathah and the mountain slopes of Jabal Hamron.

The Company was still at Samarra during June. On 4 June 1918, it was proposed that the Brigade machine gun companies would convert from draught to pack transport during the month.

Training, route marches and barrage drills followed over the following weeks. The effective strength of the unit at the end of the month was 4 British officers, 98 British other ranks, and 10 followers. However the War Diary commented that this total gave a wholly erroneous idea of the number of men available on parade as gunners for training. The true a parade state on any one day was 7 Non Commissioned Officers available for duty, with 23 British Other Ranks employed on guards, 11 men as officers’ batmen, grooms or mess sergeants, 10 specialists including signallers, 2 at the company orderly room, 6 on courses, 3 cooks or tent orderlies, 7 reported sick and 22 involved with transport, leaving a balance of 9 for parade. It is extremely difficult to get sufficient men to carry out proper training, for which the summer should supply the opportunity, All ranks must have leave but 58 men on leave as we have at present hits a small unit very hard.

On 1 July thirty nine British Other Ranks and 1 British Officers were inoculated for cholera. On 18 July field firing was carried out on the artillery range. The training scenario depicted that a Turkish force had made an unsuccessful attack on the Samarra left bank defences and was falling back on the canal and the British force of one brigade had been sent to pursue the enemy. Training and field firing continued through August and September.

Negotiation of an armistice between the Allies and the Ottomans began at the turn of October, but a memo from the War Office ordered that every effort was to be made to score as heavily as possible on the Tigris before the whistle blew.[68]

Training continued for the Company. There was a fresh case of Bombay fever on 17 September. There was a severe sandstorm on 3 October. On 9 October the Company were employed in demobilising camp and dumping surplus kit. They moved to Qantarat on 12 October and Tekrit on 13 October. In the second half of October, they were at Ain Nukailah. On 20 October a Turkish aeroplane flew over camp but at great height and 2 guns came into action.

On 30 October 1918, the Armistice of Mudros was signed. General Marshall accepted the surrender of Khalil Pasha and the Ottoman 6th Army on the same day, but Cobbe did not stand fast as the armistice required and continued to advance on Mosul in the face of Turkish protests. British troops marched unopposed into the city on the 14 November 1918.

Meantime, on 1 November the Company was still training at Ain Nukailah. Communications had become very bad, with a wire taking two or three days. On 9 November 2 sections adopted tactical positions for defence against hostile acts while maharattas look for water. There were showers during the evening. Training and marches continued during November. There was no mention in the War Diary of the general armistice on the Western Front on 11 November 1918.

On 24 November the Company moved to Laq Laq Island near Sift, which must have been an island on the Tigris in the vicinity of Tikrit, as the Company were later at Shergat (Saqiyah) and later upstream at Baiji. On Christmas day 1918 the men were given special dinner. Sports followed on Boxing Day, a company medical inspection the next day, and Brigade sports on 28 December. At this stage, only three officers being with the unit, it became difficult to carry on, and one section was shortly to go on detachment. Lieutenant T A Pearson was acting Officer Commanding and Second Lieutenant W L Boyt, Adjutant and Quartermaster, with Second Lieutenant W D Warner section commander. There was a short company parade on New Years Day 1919. Training, parades and physical training continued. By the end of January the Company were at Baiji.

Alfred Farndale had an accident while opening a tin of canned beef on 2 February 1919 at Baiju Station with Jack Knife, when the knife slipped and cut my right thumb. A Farndale.[69]

The Company were still at Baiji on 25 May 1919 and were then moved to Fattah, Uthmaniyah, Manus, and Kirkuk. As the Company moved north, they became involved in operations in South Kurdistan. In May 1919, Sheikh Mahmud Barzanji initiated a revolt against British rule in South Kurdistan, proclaiming himself Ruler of all Kurdistan and clashing with British forces to establish independence. This uprising began in Sulaymaniyah with the expulsion of British officials and gained widespread tribal support, culminating in the capture of Sheikh Mahmud by the British in mid-June.

Sheikh Mahmud Barzanji Sketch Map of South Kurdistan

239 Company were billeted in Kirkuk on 30 May 1919, with some sore feet, blisters and headaches etc. Positions were allotted for six guns for defence of the barracks on the roof.

Major AFV Jarrett MC, Royal Garrison Artillery, came to Major Fraser’s assistance with a relieving column at a critical moment on 31 May 1919. Jarrett’s 25th Mountain Battery accurately engaged the Kurdish sangars forcing an enemy withdrawal towards Bina. Major Fraser later received a Distinguished Service Order for marked gallantry and good leadership when in command of a small force heavily attacked for twenty-four hours on 30th-31st May 1919 at Qara Anjir. He inspired all ranks to greater efforts, and maintained a stout defence until the arrival of reinforcements.

On 31 May 1919 No 10 Section advanced to Kara Anjir (Qara Anjir) and towards Major Fraser’s Camp with no opposition, but the camp was then surrounded by men and Lieutenant Price ordered the men to choose targets to disperse them. Intermittent fire lasted until 1630 hrs when the column was able to move into the camp. Private Chubb was killed instantaneously, and Ghulam Mohd received a gunshot wound in the right wrist. Three guns took up defensive positions guarding approaches to the camp. The estimated enemy strength was 300. The strength of Jarret’s column was 125 Rifles, 4 machine guns and 2 MB Guns and the strength of the garrison was 100 British Rifles and 100 native cavalry. Morale was good. They were tired and sore from long marches, but did not give in. They worked well.

On 31 May 1919 the strength of the Company was 7 British Officers, 86 British Other Ranks, 1 Indian officer, 49 Indian other ranks and 8 followers. The Company animals included 8 chargers, 60 gun and equipment mules, 8 section mules, 4 First Line cart mules, 34 pack mules, 3 field kitchen horses and 25 Second Line cart mules. Vehicles included the field kitchen, 4 section AT Carts, two 1st Line carts and eleven 2nd Line Carts. The health of the troops was fairly good, feet trouble mostly.

The British now aimed to show the Kurds who had not yet joined the insurrection, especially the powerful Jaff tribe, that Britain would win any confrontation and would heavily punish rebel activity. General MacMunn ordered Major General T Fraser CB, CSI, CM, formerly Royal Engineers, the commander of the British 18th Division, to take a strong punitive force of two brigades to relieve Chemchamal, defeat Sheikh Mahmud’s dissident Kurds, and to free British prisoners held in Sulimanieh.

On 1 June 1919, 239 Machine Gun Company marched again to Kara Anjir in South Kurdistan with Brigadier Morris DSO’s Brigade. There was no sign of the enemy on the march or on arrival. The Company put out four guns in defence of the camp. There was no sniping day or night, but two Kurds were brought into camp. On 2 June at 1700 hrs a Bhopal picquet reported the sight of between 40 and 50 Kurds southwest of the camp. The GOC ordered special defensive measures with strong outlying and inlying picquets. Stand to was at 0330 hrs each day. On 3 June three guns were placed out in the hills surrounding the camp, two guns were positioned on the extreme right flank, two on the left flank and one on high ground, a total of eight guns. Four of these were able to give covering fire to a retiring column. In this incident the enemy lost 12 killed and many wounded. There were limited friendly casualties, but no machine gun casualties. There was no attack that evening.

The Company remained at Kara Anjir in mid June 1919. They were visited by General Sanders and General Fraser and stand to continued at 0330 hrs every day. Regular church services were held. On 15 June the Company moved to Fraser’s Force Camp comprising 85 Burman Rifles, 116 Maharattas, 336 Brigade Royal Field Artillery, 25 Indian Medium Battery, 239 Machine Gun Company, 39 CFA and 32nd Lancers (known as “the Striking Force”). On 16 June they were at Chemchamal where they were sniped at night about 2100 hrs in Cham Camp. After ten minutes all was quiet until 0200 hrs on 17 June when a little more sniping went on. They marched at 0530 hrs and whilst there were no targets for machine guns, the enemy dispersed after 2 hours. By 17 June the Striking Force was confronting Sheikh Ahmed’s rebels who held the strategic Bayzan Pass.

On 18 June 1919, the Striking Force under General Morris CB DSO marched at 0215 hrs into position before Bazyan Pass. They deployed at 0315 hrs and the Royal Field Artillery opened fire at 0400 hrs bombarding the near approaches to the pass and the heights to the left. The eight machine guns opened fire at 0400 hrs with the artillery, sweeping the gap and the slopes. At 0407 hrs the artillery ceased firing, while the machine guns continued firing during the infantry advance, leading troops through the pass.

British infantry scaled the mountains on either side of the pass, and with the first light of dawn, they opened fire on the Kurdish position. The East Surreys and 116th Mahrattas, with 1st Battalion 87th Punjabis in support, then put in an assault supported by artillery and machine gun fire that cleared the pass. Around 50 Kurds were killed, 120 were captured and a large number were wounded.

At 0440 hrs the machine guns were ordered to come out of action and to advance through the pass. On the southern slope of the pass they took a Deutsch Waffen 1915 machine gun and tripod and some Turkish belts of ammunition. The column were sniped from a ridge on the left of the pass and at once 2 guns came into action to target about 20 enemy at a range of 2,000 feet. They could not observe the result clearly but the enemy dispersed.

The Striking Force halted at about 0830 hrs and then continued a march at 1030 hrs, the cavalry (32 Lancers) having gone forward to clear the road. They arrived at Tainal Su at 1330 hrs and bivouacked for the night. 4,500 rounds were expended during the day.

The Battle of Bazyan Pass was a decisive engagement on 18 June 1919, that marked the end of the first Kurdish rebellion led by Sheikh Mahmud Barzanji against British rule in northern Iraq. The defeat crushed the nascent Kurdish state and enabled the British to reassert control over the region. The survivors fled towards Sulemanieh or the Persian border.

On the following day one section under Lieutenant Warner marched at 0330 hrs for Sulaimaniyah and the remaining Company marched with the main force at 0415 hrs for Kalisan Bridge, three and a half miles west of Sulaimaniyah. It was a trying march owing checks and halts owing to bad roads. It was about 20 miles to Kalisan and they didn’t reach the bridge until 1600 hrs. Tashluja Pass was a big strain on draught mules. They had tea with food for the men at about 1000 hrs during a long halt. Not one man fell out. There was no trouble at night. A rum ration was issued to the troops.

On 20 June 1919, Sheikh Mahmud was discovered amongst the wounded Kurds in the pass, shot through the liver. He was reported to have said he came under machine gun fire when on the slopes of Bazyan. He was medically treated and imprisoned to await trial.

On 21 June Fraser’s force marched through the town of Sulaimaniyah as a demonstration. The GOC took the salute. The Company then remained at Kalisan for the rest of June. On 29 June 1919 there was news that a peace treaty had been signed. There was another head count in the War Diary at 30 June 1919 at Kalisan Bridge and the health of the troops was reported as fairly good.

The Company remained at Kalisan Bridge during July 1919. Operation Scale was still in force, which referred to control of rations though jam and fresh vegetables were issued in addition to standard rations on 1 July 1919. On 19 July they were told that leave to UK and India would open on 1 August. On 24 July the Company marched to Tashlutah using spare carts before proceeding back to Bazian and Chamchamal and Kara Anjir and then to Kirkuk where they occupied billets vacated by 207 Machine Gun Company. They were in Kirkuk for the rest of July and through August. On 5 August 1919 at 0001 hrs Fraser’s Force ceased to exist and became the South Kurdistan Force or SK Force and Morris’ Brigade became 55 Infantry Brigade. Since arrival at Kirkuk health of troops has been extremely bad. Kirkuk is a malarial district. Health of Indian troops has been fairly good. It was very hot during day, but nights usually cool.

The Company remained in Kirkuk during September. The health of troops improved. Rations were good and the weather was cooler, but still hot during the day with nights fairly cool. Very few men were available for parade owing to a reduced establishment and camp duties. There was training in camp, one route march per week and open drill. There was no opportunity for firing practice.

On 7 September 1919, Alf was promoted to Acting Corporal, and later to Acting Sergeant.

Alfred eventually got to Mosul where I thought my unit was and met my platoon commander Lieutenant Pearson. He asked me where I had been and put me in charge of the officers mess. We had some Punjabi officers at the time and they used to knock me up to try to get whisky![70]

He was posted to 18th Indian Divisional Battalion, who had served in the Mesopotamia Campaign, on 10 January 1920 and to 17th Indian Divisional Battalion also on 10 January 1920. He may have served in the 17th Divisional Machine Gun Battalion of 18 Indian Division Troops in India, part of the divisional troops who were still in Mosul in January 1920[71].

Later in 1919 we were ordered to Bombay. I remember I had to take my stripes down on the troopship. He reverted to his substantive rank of Private on 25 November 1919[72]. We were sent up to the Afghan frontier for a while and we had quite a lot of trouble in the local bazaars.[73]

On 10 January 1920, after three eventful years’ service, Alf embarked for UK. Eventually we got a troopship to England. We landed at Southampton. I remember we were told that we could keep our greatcoats or take £1 when we were demobbed on Salisbury Plain. I took the £1! I remember arriving at Middlesbrough station very late at night and sleeping on the platform. I got the first train next day to Guisborough and actually arrived at Tidkinhow before they were up! This would be in 1920. I know that I was clear of the army by the start of 1920. I wish I had stayed in. I really did like the army life. But I had to come out.[74]

A Military Medal for bravery on the Somme

Herbert Farndale was born on 30 March 1892, into the Craggs Hall Farm family[75]. On 11 August 1915, Herbert Farndale joined the army at Middlesbrough, with medical grade A1. He was 23, a farmer, 5 feet and 6.5 inches tall and weight 140 lbs, of good physical development.[76] On 20 November 1915, 4857 Private Herbert Farndale joined 2/4th 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 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. 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.[77]

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.

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 Battalion 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 about 3 kilometres 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.[78]

Although we do not have Herbert’s citation[79], he probably earned his recognition for bravery during the Somme offensive, probably on the first day.

Herbert was promoted to Corporal on 20 September 1917.

Herbert Farndale wearing the ribbon of his military medal

Herbert was promoted to Sergeant on 11 January 1918. He was then commissioned on 5 March 1919[80]. His officer service number was 238221.

Herbert at officer training unit in 1918

His Craggs Hall farmhouse received a direct hit by a German bomb on 3 September 1940. Herbert was away but two other people were killed. The house was later rebuilt.

The Green Howard

John Richard (“Richard”) Farndale was born in Coatham where he was baptised on 30 May 1897[81]. He was part of the Coatham family we met in Act 13 Scene 7. Richard joined the colours in May 1915, at the age of eighteen having been released as unskilled labour in response for Lord Kitchener’s request for release for munitions output[82]. He enlisted into the 1/4th Battalion, the Princess of Wales’ Own Yorkshire Regiment, also known as the Green Howards[83]. The Battalion served with the 150th Infantry brigade.

On 11 January 1917 the Battalion moved to the front line at Hexham Road. It was on the front line from 30 January to 11 February 1916 at Genercourt. The battalion moved to Proyart on 19 February 1917.

Richard died at 21st Casualty Clearing Station of broncho-pneumonia on 26 February 1917. He was presumably badly wounded at Hexham Road, Genercourt or Proyart and evacuated to the Casualty Clearing Station at La Neuville, where he later died of pneumonia. Richard is buried at La Neuville Communal Cemetery, Corbie, Somme and commemorated on the war memorial at Coatham.[84] His parents received a war pension.

Bravery at Arras

G/445 Lance Corporal George James Farndale (later Sergeant) served with the Second Battalion, The Royal Sussex Regiment[85] and went to France on 31 May 1915. The Battalion took part in the Second Battle of Arras in August 1918. George was awarded the Military Medal for bravery on 23 October 1918[86].

Gas

William Farndale was born in Great Ayton on 20 January 1890, the son of a master joiner[87]. We met him in Act 22 Scene 2. A joiner and carpenter himself, William joined the Royal Engineers, enlisting on 17 November 1915 and served in England from 17 November 1915 to 8 March 1916; with the British Expeditionary Force in France from 9 March 1916 to 28 July 1917, and then in England from 29 July 1917 to 19 September 1918.

William was promoted to Corporal in March 1917. His Medical report shows that he was gassed with a disability originating on 12 July 1917, but he appears to have been released for coal mining. However a Memorandum from the Eastern Command Discharge Centre to Chatham on 1 June 1918 said This NCO having been placed in Grade II (which is equivalent to Military Category Bi) by the Civilian Medical Board at this Centre, he is not now eligible for transfer to the Army Reserve as a Coal Miner. AFW 3980 has accordingly been returned to the War Office. Another Medical report confirms he was gassed in 1917. A continuation shows he suffered 20% disability. Consequently, he received a pension for his gas disability. His symptoms were described in another form. He was less than 20%’ disabled by the gas attack. His pension was renewed. This was also confirmed in an Award Sheet. Another document shows a weekly pension of 6 shillings from 20 September 1918 to be reviewed in 52 weeks.[88]

Henry Farndale was born on 4 January 1884 in Leeds[89], part of the Wakefield family. An accountant, Henry initially joined the Army Service Corps, where he rose to Lance Corporal by March 1915. He then served with the Royal Horse and Field Artillery. He suffered severe gas poisoning in about November 1917 and admitted to 10 General Hospital at Rouen on 14 November 1917. He seems to have been evacuated after a gas attack in September 1918. He was on the casualty list as a result of being wounded by a gas ‘B’ shell sev, which may have meant severe. He was admitted to Rouen on 16 September and later to the General Hospital at Leicester on 22 September 1918.

As Acting Regimental Quarter Master Sergeant Henry sought his discharge by 21 July 1920 (Western Command, Chester). This had also been confirmed in a letter from the Depot at Bowerham Barracks, Lancaster on 19 May 1920. This followed an exchange of correspondence with the War Office. On 7 May 1920, the War Office proposed the permanent transfer of Acting RQMS H Farndale RFA to the Corps of Military Accountants, as Accountant Staff Sergeant. He would have been required to complete seven years with the Colours less his mobilised service since 4 August 1914. Another letter on 7 May 1920 also seems to confirm this extension, also commenting that he should not be rejected on medical grounds unless this would prevent him from sedentary duties. The Form for completion for extension to the Corps of Military Accountants dated 7 May 1920 was sent to Henry. However Henry’s reply on 11 May 1920 did not accept this extension. His discharge on 15 August 1920 granted 28 days furlough and graded him in medical category B11.[90]

The Flying Ace

Graham Price

The younger brother of Florence Farndale, and the Presbyterian leader, Rev William Edward Farndale’s brother in law, Lieutenant Graham Price, was a World War One pilot of the Royal Army Flying Corps, killed in action, in a duel with a German aeroplane at 8,000 feet.

He had written a letter to his parents shortly before he died. If anything happens to me do not grieve, but feel thankful that you had a son to give to the country. In another letter, seeming to foresee his fate, he had written I would not have been without my experiences for anything in the world, Au Revoir.

His commanding officer wrote This letter is in confirmation of the telegram of yesterday’s date notifying you of your son’s death. It happened in a flight in which he was observing for one of our batteries over enemy lines. His machine was attacked by a German aeroplane and after fighting for fifteen minutes at a height of 8,000 feet, your son received a direct hit in the heart and was killed immediately. It was a wonderfully plucky fight against heavy odds, and although the result was fatal for him, I know that this was the end that he would have chosen for himself, to die fighting, hot headed, in a great fight in the greatest of all causes. He was a very fearless and gallant officer, so dead keen on his work and so thoroughly efficient. I feel that his loss is irreplaceable.

The Chaplain had written Your son put up a most glorious fight, and has sacrificed himself for his country and friends. Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.[91]

The Germans are on the run

William Farndale was another of the Great Ayton clan. He served with the Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards), having enlisted on 12 October 1914, soon after the outbreak of the war. In October 1915, in a letter to friends at Great Broughton, he jocularly remarks that, now he has gone, he has got the Germans on the run.[92]

Private Farndale enlisted soon after the outbreak of war, and has served both in France and Italy.[93]

Soldiers’ Tales

Private Harry Farndale was from Stockport, but had been a cleaner with the United States Cotton Company, Foundry Street, Central Falls, Rhode Island, USA shortly before the first world war. He served with the 7th Battalion, The East Lancashire Regiment. Harry enlisted on 15 February 1915 at Liverpool. He sailed from Plymouth to France on 25 and 26 May 1915. He served in France and Belgium from May 1915 to July 1916 and from May 1917 to April 1919. He took a bullet wound to his left ankle on 1 July 1916 and was taken to Brook War Hospital and Garden Hurst Hospital. His arm was out of place caused by a broken arm, which didn’t trouble him until it twisted out of place in 1917 by a fall at No 2 Rest Camp while playing football.[94]

Private Alfred Farndale worked on a splitting machine in Leeds before the War[95]. He served with the 9th Queen's Royal Lancers who landed in France as part of the 2nd Cavalry Brigade in the 1st Cavalry Division in August 1914. The Regiment participated in the final lance on lance action involving British cavalry of the First World War. On 7 September 1914 at Montcel à Frétoy[96] Lieutenant Colonel David Campbell led a charge of two troops of B Squadron and overthrew a squadron of the Prussian Dragoons of the Guard.

Gallipoli

William Claude Farndale was born in Long Wittenham near Sutton Courtenay on 29 July 1897[97] and was part of the Norwich family we met in Act 20 Scene 3. He was attested into the Army on 16 September 1913, aged 17. He served with the 1/2 East Anglian Area Field Ambulance Company, Royal Army Medical Corps who served in Gallipoli. After the initial stalemate at Gallipoli, in August 1915 additional regiments arrived from Britain, mainly raw recruits from Kitchener’s New Armies. William’s Medal Records show he served in the Balkans from 16 August 1915, which indicates that he served in the Gallipoli campaign, as part of the August reinforcement.[98] After the War he worked in a saw mill[99] and later as a tinsmith[100]

88th Field Ambulance manhauling an ambulance wagon off 'W' Beach, Cape Helles, Gallipoli, 27 April 1915

The First World War Soldiers The full story of the many soldiers from the family who took up arms in the First World War

The First World War The context of the First World War to the Farndale Story

Scene 5 - The Inter War Years

Charles Farndale was born at Huttons Ambo and became a groom[101]. He enlisted into the Royal Tanks Corps on 9 May 1924. He attested at Winchester. He served with the 13/18^th Royal Hussars (Queen Mary’s Own) and 15th/19th The King’s Royal Hussars in 1924 and 1925.[102]

The 13th/18th Royal Hussars (Queen Mary's Own) was a cavalry regiment formed by the amalgamation of the 13th Hussars and the 18th Royal Hussars in 1922. It spent three years at Aldershot. Lord Baden Powell was Colonel of the Regiment. The Regimental Riding School ran a popular musical ride and performed a Cossack display, and Sergeant Mennell won the All Arms at the Royal Tournament at Olympia in 1924. The Regiment moved to Edinburgh in October 1925, to Redford Barracks, which may have been when Charles transferred to the 15^th/19^th Hussars. The 15th/19th The King’s Royal Hussars had amalgamated in 1922.

Scene 6 - The Second World War

Only twenty one years after the end of the First World War, the nation called upon its population to take arms again, this time against the aggressive Nazi war machine. Many of those who had witnessed the horrors of the first war at first hand, became witnesses to a second period of total war. A few took part in both wars, but generally it was the sons of the Great War veterans who were called upon to serve their country this time.

Abyssinian Campaign

James Farndale was born in Stockton in late 1916[103]. We met his family in Act 19 Scene 3. James enlisted into Second Battalion the West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales Own) Regiment[104].

In March 1941, he deployed to East Africa in the operation to retake British Somaliland from the Italians. Keren was the last Italian stronghold in Eritrea and the scene of the most decisive battle of the war in East Africa in early 1941. Guarding the entrance from the western plains to the Eritrean plateau, the only road passing through a deep gorge with precipitous and well fortified mountains on either side, Keren formed a perfect defensive position. On these heights the Italians concentrated 23,000 riflemen, together with a large number of well sited guns and mortars. The Battle of Keren[105] took place from 3 February to 27 March 1941.

At 07.00 hours on 15 March 1941, the British and Commonwealth troops of 4th Indian Infantry Division attacked the Italian defenders from Cameron Ridge. The 2nd Highland Light Infantry led the attack on the lower features, known as Pimple and Pinnacle. They were pinned down, suffering casualties, and without supply until darkness provided the opportunity to withdraw. By moonlight that evening, there was a two battalion attack on Pimple and Pinnacle, with a third battalion ready to pass through and attack a fort which had become an Italian stronghold. The capture of Pinnacle that night by the 3/5th Mahratta Light Infantry led by Lieutenant-Colonel Denys Reid, with the 3/12th Frontier Force Regiment less two companies under command to take Pimple, was called one of the outstanding small actions of World War II, decisive in its results and formidable in its achievement.

In the early hours of 16 March 1941, the Italians counter-attacked Pinnacle and Pimple for several hours. The defences at the fort were depleted and during the counter-attack, the 2nd West Yorkshire Regiment made their way over a seemingly impossible knife-edge to surprise the defenders at their fort, which was captured after a determined defence by 06.30 hours, with 40 prisoners taken.

James died of wounds on 16 March 1941 in Eritrea, aged 24[106]. That is all we know, but it presumably occurred during this assault. He is buried at Keren War Cemetery[107] in Eritrea.

Lancaster Airman

Bernard Farndale married Muriel Glenys Picton Swales in 1933 in Merthyr Tydfil[108] and their son, Brian Picton Farndale, was born in 1934.

Young Brian, with his parents, Bernard and Glenys[109]

By 1944, Bernard was a sergeant with No. 115 Squadron RAF, operating from RAF Witchford near Ely. The squadron served as a bomber squadron and took part in scores of raids and also played an active part in gardening or minelaying. In April 1940, flying Wellingtons, on temporary loan to RAF Coastal Command, the Squadron gained the distinction of making the RAF's first bombing raid of the war on a mainland target when it was sent on a mission to the enemy held Norwegian airfield of Stavanger at Sola. Sixteen months later, in August 1941, it undertook the initial Service trials of Gee, the first of the radar navigational and bombing aid. As a result of its subsequent report on these trials Gee was put into large-scale production for RAF Bomber Command.

The memoirs of Sydney Percival Smith[110], a Royal Canadian Air Force Wellington pilot, contain detailed personal descriptions of 115 Squadron missions in late 1942 from its base in RAF East Wretham. These were directed at targets in Germany including Bremen, Stuttgart, Frankfurt and Munich and Turin in Italy, as well as mine laying in the French ports of Le Havre, Brest, St. Nazaire, and Lorient and the Bay of Biscay.

Hercules engined Lancaster IIs replaced the Wellingtons in March 1943 and these were replaced by Merlin engined Lancaster Is and IIIs[111] in March 1944. Around this time the squadron relocated from RAF Little Snoring to RAF Witchford near Ely and 21 kilometres north of Cambridge[112]. Bernard was a flight engineer.

On the evening of 29 August 1944 nearly six hundred RAF bombers flew over Denmark on bombing raids to Königsberg and Stettin[113].

Bernard was the flight engineer on LAN ME 718. The aircraft bound for Stettin were attacked by German night fighters[114], when they were passing the northern part of Jutland and the Kattegat.

AI generated images showing Bernard as part of the Lancaster crew

Bernard’s aircraft, the Avro Lancaster I LAN ME 718, was hit over Denmark when it was attacked by a German night fighter and caught fire[115]. At about 1 am, it crashed near Ove northeast of Hobro, killing all onboard. The bomb load exploded when the Lancaster hit the ground spreading wreckage and the remains of the crew over a wide area. After being hit the Lancaster flew for a moment through the air before it crashed like a burning torch at Ove, north of the Mariager Fjord in Denmark. All of the bomb load exploded on impact. All of the crew were killed.

The Germans did not want to collect the remains of the crew and left them in the field. The locals were appalled and collected the remains in wickerwork baskets. The Wehrmacht ordered the Danes to hand the baskets over, and these were thrown in the crater at the crash site and covered. When the Germans had left the area, the locals opened the crater and placed the remains in a coffin, which was driven to Ove church. On 4 September 1944, unknown to the Wehrmacht, the airmen were laid to rest in Ove cemetery. Vicar A. Bundgård officiated at a graveside ceremony.

The coffin was decorated with flowers, but there were only a few mourners. Apparently, the German Wehrmacht knew nothing of this funeral.

The Crew of ME 718

Bernard Farndale

1912 to 1944

The full story of Bernard Farndale and the fate of flight LAN ME 718

US Army Air Corps

James Noel (“Jimmy”) Farndale was the son of Jim Farndale who was enlisted in the First World War and whose family we met in Act 28. Jimmy enlisted into the Army on 15 December 1942 and served with the US Army Air Corps in World War 2 in USA and in Europe[116]. He received his basic training in Fresno, California, and received his radio trading at Scott Field, Illinois. He was assigned to the ferry command in May 1944 and was then engaged in delivery of aircraft to various theatres of war.[117]

Jimmy Farndale 15 April 1945, Taken at the Derby Club, San Francisco 22 April 1945, Taken at the Derby Club, San Francisco

On 8 August 1944 and 16 October 1944 he flew missions for Air Transport Command from Casablanca to La Guardia Airport, New York[118]. He was a Private and 21 years old, but promoted to Corporal by October 1944. On 14 November 1944, he flew a mission from Prestwick in Scotland to New York. Serving as a radio operator aboard planes being delivered to all parts of the world, Corporal James N Farndale of Las Vegas has touched every continent in the globe except Australia in the past six months, and made a forced landing in India. Corporal Farndale has been spending a furlough in Las Vegas with his parents, State Senator and Mrs James Farndale, 922 S 2nd St, and was scheduled to report back for duty today with the 4th Ferry Group at Memphis, Tennessee.

The crash landing occurred on a flight to India some time ago, but the pilot got the ship down safely without injury to any crew member. The landing was made in a small clearing in the jungle, near a native village, Corporal Farndale stated in an interview here. “We camped right in the plane, and natives brought us food, including breadfruit, bananas, coconuts, melons and water. Everything was free except eggs, and we had to pay for them,” he said. A holiday was declared in the village school so the children could see the plane. From daylight to dark the natives crowded about the plane, just standing staring at the big machine. The crew stretched ropes around the plane to hold the crowds back, because they kept inching forwards closer and closer to the big ship. The children behaved well but were very curious he said. “We visited one day in a native home,” Corporal Farndale said. “An old man who had been reared in a missionary school and spoke English very well was our host. He was a landowner and very proud to show us all the things he raised on his land. Almost everything grew bountifully there. The children of the household were very well behaved,” he said. After three days in the grounded plane, the crew was reached by a rescue party composed of American and British soldiers, who led them back to camp.[119]

In March 1945, his father, a US Senator for Nevada, wrote to his brother, Alf, two veterans of the last War. I don't know whether or not you have heard that Jimmy made one flight to England. He had your address but he said while he was in England they wouldn't let him out of camp long enough to even try to telephone or visit. He came over by way of Brazil, there crossed the Atlantic to the coast of Africa and up north across Portugal and then landed I think in the Land's End area, where they delivered the plane and then went through London and north to Scotland crossing back to the US by plane. He had a great trip but was naturally disappointed in being so close to you and yet not able to see you. But that is the way with war as you both know from our experience in the First World War. Jimmy made two flights to India, and was wrecked in the jungles near Calcutta I believe, was stranded among natives for two days, and they had to leave the plane. He has visited Cairo twice and has seen many of India's important points. He now is in the Pacific, but he is still back in the US. They make trips over into the various isles about every two or three weeks. He is sure getting experience and is seeing the world. He is not satisfied when he is not in the air. They are keeping him busy now.[120]

The Tiger Moth pilot

Henry Stuart Farndale was granted a commission as an Acting Pilot Officer on probation in April 1941, for the duration of hostilities[121]. He had married Maria Pratchett in 1940 in Bradford[122], but she died, aged only 27, in late 1942. On 30 July 1943, Henry was a pilot under training with No 7 Elementary Flying Training School, a Royal Air Force flying training school at RAF Desford[123].

Instructor and pupil in front of a de Havilland Tiger Moth at 7 EFTS, Desford. Both wear 1930 Pattern flying suits

521789 Corporal Henry Stuart Farndale, a pilot under training, flying Tiger Moth T6910, died on 11 May 1945, aged 28. He was killed while flying out of Desford, Leicestershire during formation flying practice. His DH 82A Tiger Moth T6910 collided with T5982 and crashed Elmdon 11.5.45 DBF.[124]

[125]

The Lucky Engineer

John Horace Thomas Farndale, known as Horace, joined the Royal Engineers initially repairing searchlights. His daughter, Patricia was told that he then trained to be a Spitfire pilot and he took her to a cemetery behind RAF Coltishall where he showed her the graves of his squadron, killed in the Battle if Britain. There were many eighteen to twenty years olds, and many were Polish. John couldn’t fly on the day when many members of his Squadron were shot down due to a heavy nose bleed.[126]

Horace Farndale

He later joined the catering branch, which he hated. He was later trained for the Far East Theatre, and avoided being posted to Burma, where many of his friends died on the construction of the Burma railway. John recalled seeing doddle bugs decimate London. There was an occasion when his soldiers were training in a gymnasium when it was hit, but John had not made it on time so was not there. He was also trained in a secondary duty as a paramedic. On another occasion Patricia was told that a bomb dropped next John and he curled himself up in a ball and survived an explosion. He used to tell his family my guardian angel was with me when that bomb exploded.

A Prisoner of War in Italy after the Battle of Sidi Rezegh

Ronald Martin Farndale was the ancestor of the New Zealand Line who we met in Act 29.

Ronald served with 6th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps (“RAMC”) in Greece and Crete with the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force[127]. He was captured at the Battle of Sidi Rezegh[128] in 1941 and was a prisoner of war in Italy for the rest of the war. The Battle of Point 175[129] was a military engagement of the Western Desert Campaign that took place during Operation Crusader from 29 November to 1 December 1941.

4th and 6th New Zealand Field Ambulance at overnight camp, North Africa, 1 October 1942

Maurice Muir[130] served as Regimental Stretcher Bearer with 24 Battalion and was captured at Sidi Rezegh on 1 December 1941 with Ronald Farndale. Maurice was awarded the Military Medal for protecting his Regimental Aid Post from friendly fire. The prisoners of war were transported by German Ship from Tripoli to Naples, then to Capua and taken to Campo PG 66. In March 1943, the PGN 66 camp in Capua was described as a sorting camp with a capacity of 200 places for senior officers and 6,000 for non-commissioned officers and troops. It was made up partly of barracks and partly of tents. It began operating in April 1941. There is evidence of the ill treatment of prisoners there[131].

Camp 59, Servigliano

They were later transported to Campo PG 59[132] in Servigliano[133], then to Campo PG 52[134] in Chiavari.

Camp 52, Chiavari, Italy, 1942. Photograph taken by W A Weakley. Note on back reads All beds and gear out for a search. Note where bed slats have been taken off to provide fuel for brewing tea.

Maurice Muir was later transferred to Lucca Hospital (PG202) in September of 1942, and repatriated to the UK in April 1943 along with 400 or so British and 14 other New Zealanders who had relatives in Britain. Ronald Farndale was with Maurice Muir.

New Zealand Prisoners of War on their repatriation in June 1943 Ronald Farndale

The Newfoundland Artillery Officer who landed in Normandy in 1944

Raymond (“Ray”) William Stainthorpe Farndale was born in St John’s, Newfoundland on 23 February 1914[135]. We met him in Act 26.

Ray served in 59th (Newfoundland) Heavy Regiment Royal Artillery. Ray later recalled that a large number of my friends chose the Army, as I did. The first contingent of volunteers from the West Coast left Corner Brook on May 12, 1940. I was not amongst them, because it seemed unlikely that I would pass the eyesight test. However, within two weeks I managed to pass, with the help of a young Doctor who coached me in the eyesight requirements.[136] Ray left Halifax on 6 June 1940. He was on the passenger manifest of the Nerissa on a voyage from Halifax, Nova Scotia to Liverpool arriving on 6 July 1940[137]. When they arrived in England, the new recruits were welcomed by their commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel John Nelson. Another recruit, Jack Wescott recalled that Nelson told them, You have listened to a lot of nice things being said about you. My message is different. You’ll work so hard that you won’t even hear the sound of the bombers when they fly overhead during the German air raids[138]. The Newfoundlanders are said to have responded with heavy cheering.

In 1943, Raymond was chosen by his Commanding Officer J W Nelson to be a candidate for Officer training. He undertook training with 23 Office Cadet Training Unit in Yorkshire for six months from March 1943 and was then accepted for a commission and became a second lieutenant in September 1943.

Ray was posted to Tonbridge, Kent to join 23rd battery, 59th Newfoundland Heavy Regiment, Royal Artillery. 20th and 23rd Heavy Batteries were given 155mm guns and 21st and 22nd Heavy Batteries were given 7.2-inch guns. The Regiment trained in Northumberland but by July 1944 it was at Worthing in Sussex.[139]

59^th during firing practice in Britain

Ray landed at Juno Beach in Normandy on 5 July 1944, one month after D-Day. Jack Wescott recalled, the 59th hit the beach at Courseulles-sur-Mer, in southwestern France, better known as Juno Beach, on July 5, 1944. Within 24 hours the men were in action, firing their 7.2” howitzers and 155 mm ‘Long Toms’ with their respective 200 lb and 95 lb shells at a concentration of German tanks in a battle for a nearby airport[140]. The men of the 59th would remain in almost continuous action for the rest of the war, often firing 24 hours a day in support of Canadian, British and American troops as the Allies fought their way through blasted out villages and ruins of towns in France, Belgium and Holland on the way to Germany.

The Regiment took part in the battles for Caen, when 23^rd Battery provided counter battery fire during the assault. The 59th took part in the grim action at Caen, in the fierce fighting at Falaise, in the historic battle for the closing of the gap (better known as the Battle of Bulge), at Esquay and Errecy, and its guns also covered the crossing of the river Odon and the crossing of the River Seine, wrote historian Allan M. Fraser[141]. Batteries of the 59th were among the first soldiers to liberate the key supply port of Antwerp, where they were greeted by the city’s mayor who presented each of them with a bottle of wine and a pack of cigars. In many of the places they fought in Holland, the land was flooded and dry places to camp were scarce. The Newfoundlanders made a name for themselves by being able to cobble together the best shelters and for being able to navigate their guns and trucks over the worst of the mud clogged and troop packed roads as they shifted as much as 150 miles at a run to come to the aid of infantrymen fighting pitched battles against the Germans.

The Regiment suffered its first injuries on 17 July 1944, when enemy fire wounded 12 men, causing one to lose a leg, and destroyed two guns. Following early Allied successes in August 1944, the 59th Regiment pressed east and continued fighting in Belgium and the Netherlands before proceeding on to Germany. The Regiment took part in the Battle of the Falaise Pocket from 122 to 21 August 1944 and Operation Market Garden in September 1944. During the Battle of the Bulge the four batteries of the 59th Regiment repealed the German drive to the River Meuse. In the Battle of the Bulge, which saw the Germans launch a desperate surprise attack to cut off the British army from its supplies and separate them from the American troops, the men of the 59th reinforced their reputation for accurate firing, devising the best camps in the worst conditions, and for manhandling their big guns and supplies over ice and snow blocked roads, all with “exceptionally high” morale. While some American soldiers froze to death in the harsh winter conditions, the men of the 59th gathered wood from the ruins of bombed out houses to line the floors and walls of their two men tents, jimmied stoves and heaters out of empty milk cans, and even, at times, rigged up electricity to light their camps. Frustrated by their accurate firing – in one instance a battery of the 59th snuffed out seven German observation posts in a row, landing 26 direct hits on one position – the Nazis would order bombing raids over the men of the 59th and their guns.[142]

On 2 May 1945, the Regiment fired all of their batteries at the key Germany city of Hamburg, their last rounds of the war, two days before the city’s German forces surrendered. For the next 8 weeks, the Regiment helped in the administration and rerouting of refugees.

Winston Churchill with the Regiment’s howitzers

Raymond Farndale, RCA, 1943 Ray in about 1974

Ray continued to strongly support veterans’ affairs. He lived to be the oldest living member of the Farndale family. In July 2015, 101 year old Veteran, Raymond “Poppy” Farndale, sat with his medals and war scrapbook in front of his portrait at Guelph Public Library to support the Hundred Portraits and Hundred Poppies project. He said I thought it was an important project to remember those who have served in the military or had some association with the military. Not only do I feel strongly about the poppy and what it symbolizes, my 2 grandchildren (Christopher and Emily) call me “Poppy” so it is quite special to me. He added that I was remembering the people I met during World War 2. I am one of the few veterans left from my regiment and I felt I was representing all of the amazing men and women I worked alongside. He advised, While a lot has changed since I was born, 101 years ago, some things have remained the same. One thing I have always lived by, treat others as you would like to be treated. If you do this, you can never go wrong.[143]

Brothers in the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Royal Canadian Navy

Wilfred Gordon (“Gordon”) Farndale was the grandson of John George Farndale who had fought in the Crimean War. He served as a Flight Lieutenant in the Royal Canadian Air Force in World War 2 in Europe[144] and later became an accountant. Clarence Edward (“Ed”) Farndale was Gordon’s brother, who served with the Royal Canadian Navy[145]. Ed was torpedoed in the Atlantic off the coast of Ireland in about February 1941. He was one of the last to leave the ship, and in the lifeboat he gave his coat to the cook and his toque, a knitted wool cap, and mitts to one of the engineers.

In March 1941, Clarence Farndale, aged 22, who is on active service with the Royal Canadian Navy, will be home on leave in a few weeks. Clarence joined the Navy when the war broke out. He crossed to England last October and returned to New York in December, but he did not get home as he was recalled to England. The trip back was made on a gun layer and it was torpedoed off the coast of Ireland. He was one of the last to leave the ship, and in the lifeboat he gave his coat to the cook and his toque and mitts to one of the engineers. Clarence is getting 14 days survivor leave. His brother, Gordon, who is 25, is in the RCAF and is now on 14 days leave. He has been stationed at No 2 Bombing and Gunning School at Mossbank, Saskatchewan. When he returns he will be going to No 2 Wireless School at Calgary. The two boys are sons of Mrs W Archer and the late Charles Farndale, of Churchville. They have lived in Peel county all their lives.[146]

Ed Farndale served from 15 March 1939 to 17 August 1945 and then from 25 February 1947 to 12 August 1966.

Gordon Farndale, 1944 Clarence Farndale, 1960 Clarence and Gordon Farndale (Brothers in Arms)

Pacific Operations

Richard William (“Dick”) Farndale was born in Prophetstown, Illinois on 6 August 1918. He was part of the America 2 Line and we met him in Act 28 Scene 2.

The Pacific

Music from Sky Atlantic The Pacific

Dick joined the US Army on 28 March 1941 in Chicago, Illinois[147]. He began as a military policeman at Camp Blanding in Florida[148]. The United States formally entered World War II on 8 December 1941, one day after the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. Congress approved a declaration of war against Japan, and subsequently, Germany and Italy declared war on the U.S. on 11 December 1941, drawing the nation into a global conflict. Dick was later a Mechanic with the 43rd Division for 32 months in the Pacific Theatre of Operations[149].

The 43rd Division was mobilised on 24 February 1941. The 43rd Division was originally sent to Camp Blanding, Florida where it was based before participating in the Louisiana Manoeuvres of 1941 and the Carolina Manoeuvres later that same year. The division relocated to Camp Shelby, Mississippi on 14 February 1942. On 19 February 1942, it was reorganised as a triangular division so that it had three infantry regiments. The division prepared for overseas operations at Fort Ord, California on 6 September 1942 and departed from San Francisco on 1 October 1942.

The division arrived in New Zealand on 23 October 1942, before being committed to combat in the South West Pacific Theatre under the command of General Douglas MacArthur. It saw campaigns in New Guinea, Northern Solomons, and Luzon. Rendova was the major staging point for the assault on the island of New Georgia. The assault on New Georgia was met with determined enemy resistance. The Japanese fought fiercely before relinquishing Munda and its airfield on 5 August 1943. Vela Cela and Baanga were taken easily, but the Japanese resisted stubbornly on Arundel Island before withdrawing on 22 September 1943.

Soldiers of 4rd Infantry Division landing on Rendova Island in the Solomon Islands on 30 June 1943

Dick received his discharge from the Army in May 1945.

An Anti Tank Gunner

Cyril Ernest Farndale was born at Darlington on 21 June 1921. He was part of the Great Ayton 3 Line and we met him in Act 22 Scene 2. Cyril enlisted into the Royal Artillery on 30 August 1939 and served in 100 Anti Tank Regiment Royal Artillery[150].

100 (The Gordon Highlanders) Anti-Tank Regiment RA (TA) was formed in November 1941 from 8th Battalion The Gordon Highlanders with four batteries at Buckie, Banff. It was re-designated 100 Light Anti-Aircraft/Anti-Tank Regiment in January 1944 and reverted to 100 (The Gordon Highlanders) Anti-Tank Regiment RA (TA) in the September. The Regiment disbanded in January 1947.

Stay Behind Resistance

William Derrick Farndale was a descendant of the Whitby 5 Line and founder of the Holderness Line of the family. He was a tractor driver, and patrol member in the Withensea Patrol on the East Yorkshire Coast from 1942 until 3 December 1944. He was promoted to Sergeant and led the Withernsea Patrol of the East Riding Home Guard on the Holderness coast[151].

The Withernsea Patrol was a highly secret unit of the British Auxiliary Units[152], formed to act as a stay-behind guerrilla resistance force in the event of a German invasion of Britain. The units, sometimes referred to as a part of the British Resistance Organisation, were initiated by Winston Churchill in the early summer of 1940. He appointed Colonel Colin Gubbins to found them. The Auxiliary Units answered to GHQ Home Forces, but were organised as if part of the local Home Guard.

Operating along the East Yorkshire coast, this Withernsea Patrol was a ‘secret army’, prepared to sabotage enemy lines of communication, destroy equipment, and assassinate key figures if the UK was occupied. The Patrol's Operational Base was a square type shelter built out of pit props and with a corrugated iron sheet roof. It was built on a hill near Little England Farm to the west of the town. The higher ground gave a good all round view of the coast and inland fields. The Patrol targets were the landing beaches on the east side of Withernsea, Tunstall beach was an expected German target, along with the road from the coast inland, Spurn Point Coastal Battery, Channel Farm Search Light battery and the land drainage system to the west. The initial patrol members included individuals named Thompson, Joy, Conner, Perry, Woodcock, and Grassam. Sergeant Farndale led the unit and may have attended training at Coleshill House, the secret headquarters of the Auxiliary Units. They trained in surveillance, sabotage, and guerrilla warfare, including exercises with other local patrols. The unit was equipped with specialised weaponry, including .22 sniper rifles, Remington/Winchester rifles, and Colt .45 or Smith & Wesson pistols.

Marine Commander

Cecil Farndale Phillips

Lieutenant Colonel (later Brigadier and Major General after the War) Cecil Farndale Phillips commanded 47 (Royal Marine) Commando during the assault in the Le Hamel area on 6 June 1944. After the War he was promoted to Major General and became Chief of Amphibious Warfare. His middle name suggests he may have been related to the Farndale family, but this is not certain.

The Second World War soldiers, sailors and airmen The full story of the Farndales who took up arms in the Second World War

The Second World War Soldiers The context of the Second World War

Scene 7 - The Cold War years

The New Zealand Navy

Keith Alan Farndale was from Gisbourne, New Zealand, and we met him in Act 29 Scene 2. Allan served as a Petty Officer in the Royal Navy and then transferred to the new New Zealand Navy in about 1964.

In 1970, he served on HMNZ Endeavour. On 5 October 1962, USS Namakagon had been transferred to under the Military Aid Program, to the Royal New Zealand Navy. She was commissioned as HMNZS Endeavour (A184), an Antarctic supply ship. She delivered fuel to research bases on Antarctica, bringing over 1 million gallons each year to McMurdo Sound. Endeavour completed two Antarctic voyages south each season between December and March. She then completed one each in her last two seasons. Her last voyage to the ice was January to February 1971, returning to Auckland via Lyttelton on 18 March, 1971. Endeavour was decommissioned and returned to U.S. custody in 1971.

British Army on the Rhine

James Henry Farndale served with 1st Battalion Kings Own Scottish Borderers. Gary R Farndale served with the British Army on The Rhine.

Commander in Chief of the Northern Army Group of NATO

General Sir Martin Farndale KCB joined Indian Army 1946 and was commissioned into Royal Artillery October 1948 from the first intakes at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. He served Egypt, Germany, Malaya, Northern Ireland, and South Arabia. He was Commander in Chief of the British Army of the Rhine and commander of the Northern Army Group (“NORTHAG”) of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (“NATO”).[153]

Martin Farndale started his military career in 80th Light Anti-aircraft Regiment in the Suez Canal Zone. In January 1949, he sailed by Troop Ship to Egypt with his great friends, John Ansell and Bill Nicholas. Soon he was selected for the elite Royal Horse Artillery and he joined First Regiment Royal Horse Artillery in 1950.

On the Troop Ship to Egypt Field Marshall Montgomery (“Monty”) inspects Martin Farndale’s Troop, Fayid, Egypt

He joined the Gunner Staff of 17th Gurkha Division in Malaya from 1960 to 1962, where he saw active service during the final phases of the Malayan Campaign.

He was a Battery Commander in Aden during the Radfan Campaign[154] in the arid mountains of the Protectorate.

From 1969 to 1971, Martin was given command of First Regiment Royal Horse Artillery. He was the first artillery commanding officer to take his regiment to Northern Ireland and to serve in an infantry role on the streets of Belfast. He was also the first Lieutenant Colonel to command a warship. Accommodation was sparse in those early days, so HMS Maidstone, which was destined for the breaker's yard, was instead sailed from Portsmouth to Belfast and acted as a maritime barracks for the Regiment. His command included a hundred sailors, the Maidstone's maintenance team.

In his role as Director of Operations at the Ministry of Defence Martin Farndale organised the disarming of guerillas in order to facilitate the creation of the new nation of Zimbabwe.

He was Colonel Commandant Army Air Corps. He learnt to fly a helicopter and built up a considerable log of flying time, particularly during his later commands in Germany.

Martin commanded 2nd Armoured Division as Major General from June 1980 to March 1983. He commanded the Division during Exercise Spearpoint in September 1980, during which the Division's 14,000 men and 150 tanks took the full weight of an enemy Orange simulated Soviet break-in. He also planned Second Division's Exercise Keystone in November 1982.

Major General Farndale meets a Russian General observer during Exercise Spearpoint 1980

Martin commanded 1st (British) Corps as Lieutenant General from March 1983 to 1985. This was the fighting component of the British Forces in Germany, still during the height of the Cold War. The Headquarters was at Bielefeld and he lived at Spearhead House. In those days, tests and demonstrations of ability to withstand an invasion from the east were critical to keeping the peace and winning the Cold War. In September 1983, he showed the Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, around his Corps during an exercise, during which now infamous photographs were taken of the Iron Lady, the later Lady Thatcher, riding in a Chieftain tank.

With the Prime Minster, Margaret Thatcher             With the Defence Secretary, Michael Heseltine

In 1984, he devised and oversaw the vast Exercise Lionheart, a show of strength of the height of the Cold War, which involved 131,000 British troops, including tens of thousands or Territorials and Army Reservists and which extended over 3,700 square miles. During a second phase a further 6,300 German, 3,500 Dutch, 3,400 American and 165 Commonwealth (from Australia, New Zealand and Canada) took part. It was intended to test BAOR's reinforcement plans and was the biggest military exercise to be held since the Second World War.

Martin then commanded the British Army of the Rhine, at the time 55,000 strong, and also commanded the Northern Army Group, an Army Group consisting of a British, Dutch, German, and American Corps, from its headquarters at Rheindalen. This was from 1985 to 1987. He implemented a revised concept of operations for the Northern Army Group. In the event of a Soviet invasion, the new plans would enable NATO forces to bide our time and then strike viciously, at the time of our choosing, at an exposed flank or sector. He invented a strategic concentration of force and firepower, known as the Farndale Cocktail.

The Farndale Cocktail

An explosive blend of Farndale firepower

NORTHAG comprised five Corps - a Dutch, German, British, Belgian and French Corps, with an American Corps (based in USA) to act as its reserve force and to arrive (perhaps jet lagged) by air as the war started. Each Corps comprised about 77,000 soldiers.

In 1985, the British Army had a regular strength of approximately 150,000 to 160,000 personnel, part of a broader UK armed forces regular personnel count of over 326,000. During the mid-1980s, the army maintained a significant Cold War presence, supported by a robust Territorial Army. The size of the entire British Army in 2026 is circa 70,000 soldiers. The long-term strategy aims for 73,000 regular troops and 30,100 army reserve personnel.

These new plans were tested in 1987 during another major exercise, Exercise Certain Strike, which proved itself to be the largest and most complex field exercise of its type staged in Europe since the D-Day landings in 1944.

How Nato would face a Russian invasion, Our most powerful man since Monty

At first meeting, Martin Farndale, dressed in a pin-striped suit, has the quiet, self-confident air of a successful and prosperous businessman. Relaxed, articulate and wholly unpretentious, he is nothing like the popular conception of a British Army general. Yet at 58, he is the Army's senior combat commander in Germany. If a Soviet invasion were to be launched against Western Europe, the task of blunting a huge, armoured thrust across the North German Plain would fall firmly on General Sir Martin Farndale's shoulders.

Softly spoken and with a slight lisp, he has an urbane, completely unmilitary appearance that is misleading. Fellow Nato generals acknowledge him to be one of the most gifted field commanders currently holding a senior position in the Alliance. As the commander of Nato's Northern Army Group, consisting of more than 200,000 troops and over 2,000 battle tanks, he would personally control all Nato forces fighting to defend Germany north of the town of Kassel, roughly a line with London. He would have more fighting power in his hands than any British general in Europe since Montgomery.

This week Farndale is overseeing the largest movement of Allied troops into Europe since the 1944 D-Day landings: 35,000 American troops of the US Army's 3rd Corps have already moved from Fort Hood in Texas to collect from storage in Germany. The Nato corps will henceforth fight, for the first time, under the direct battlefield command of Farndale, according to an agreed doctrine, and allowing their individual reserve divisions to be committed to battle by the British general "whether they can make an impact there than be frittered away in penny packets."

A key aspect is the acknowledgment by the five Governments that the Northern Army Group cannot hope to stop a Soviet invasion by digging in on the inner German border and fighting the Russians there. "That is a totally defensive aim," says one of Farndale's divisional commanders, "that we will slow and even stop a Soviet advance across Northern Germany. No, we must accept a penetration of our front line, draw the lead Soviet elements along it, give us a chance to strike at their exposed flanks. To do this, we must fall back and trade ground for time." By standardising battle plans and procedures, Farndale hopes that a division from any of his corps, be it German, Dutch, Belgian, American or British, can be instantly deployed to support any element of the Army Group. By fighting a fluid battle, he hopes, much as a smaller and weaker boxer, to avoid the lumbering onslaught of a stronger opponent—and then strike viciously, at the time of our choosing, at an exposed flank or sector." He believes that if such a "counter-stroke" were to be executed during a war, it would require a rapid concentration of Nato reserves. "We may get one shot at it, and we must ensure that it is effective."

The fact that the Bonn Government has supported fully the adoption of a revised defence plan for the Northern Army Group is due both to the hard work of senior officers at the Group headquarters and a realisation in German political echelons that while forward defence is politically imperative, religious military adherence to it would minimise Nato's chances of winning a future war. Farndale hopes that, by controlling the entire Army Group during battle from his war headquarters, he can gain an overview of the wider battle which would be denied to any of his corps commanders fighting in their own sectors of the battlefield. He readily concedes that the inspiration for a Nato commander to direct an entire army group from the back of an armoured vehicle in the late 1950s again has its roots in history. During the Wehrmacht's invasion of France in 1940, Germany’s General Guderian controlled an army group from the back of a half-track, assisted only by early coded communication systems and despatch riders. The employment of four-star generals as combat-suited field commanders rather than office-bound strategists was continued by the German Army throughout World War II.

Farndale, whose ability as one of the Army's best communicators has served to ease his task of explaining the impact of the Northern Army Group's revised battle plan, maintains that publicising this week's exercise is as important as its execution. He is acutely aware that with current strains on virtually every Nato defence budget, the chances for such a large-scale exercise in which to practise his revised doctrine will be "few and far between."

Like most of Britain’s current senior generals, the wars he has been caught up in are small scale. The Suez Canal Zone, Malaya, Aden and Northern Ireland have provided valuable personal lessons – but armoured battles between entire armies have only ever been fought on paper. "I've never fought one," he says, "but I imagine that fighting a major European war would be much easier than organising and running this exercise." Let us all hope that in that assessment he is right.[155]

Martin became Master Gunner of St James' Park, an office dating back to the seventeenth century, the honorary head of the Royal Regiment of Artillery, on 5 November 1988. His principal duty as Master Gunner was to keep the Queen, the Royal Regiment's Captain General, informed of all matters pertaining to the Royal Artillery. He was also Colonel Commandant of the Royal Horse Artillery, Honorary Colonel of First Regiment Royal Hose Artillery and of Third Battalion, the Yorkshire Volunteers, his home county. He was Colonel Commandant of the Army Air Corps. He also had a close interest in the South Notts Hussars.

Martin was a passionate historian and as well as his genealogical work, he wrote definitive histories of the Royal Artillery, a task which he started early in his military career and continued until he died[156].

He was also Chairman of the English Heritage Battlefields Trust[157] from 1993. The Trust preserves battlefields and Martin succeeded in saving the site of the Battle of Tewkesbury (1471) from developers. He became a Director of Short Brothers plc, Defence Adviser to Westland Helicopters and to Deloitte & Touche in the City. He was also a very active chairman of the Royal United Services Institute[158] from 1989-1993. He became a Freeman of the City of London[159] and a member of the Wheelwrights Livery[160]. He was awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters at the University of Greenwich for his work on the history of the Royal Artillery.

Martin was described in an obituary as an innovative army commander whose leadership qualities took him to Malaya, Northern Ireland and NATO, unquestionably the most distinguished gunner officer of his generation. He had an outstanding career both in command and on the staff, but was never more at home than when among soldiers in the field. He was an example of what can be achieved with a combination of leadership, intellect, personality, charm and dedication.

Martin Farndale was an exceptional man, who lived an exceptional life. He was generous of spirit, an inspiring leader, a true comrade in arms and a firm friend. The world is poorer for his passing but his achievements will be remembered for many a year to come.

Martin Farndale’s coat of arms

General Sir Martin Farndale, who has died aged 71, was unquestionably the most distinguished gunner officer of his generation. He had an outstanding career both in command and on the staff, but was never more at home than when among soldiers in the field. He was an example of what can be achieved with a combination of leadership, intellect, personality, charm and dedication. He was born in Alberta, Canada, and educated at Yorebridge school, Yorkshire. He joined the Indian army in 1946 and, in 1947, transferred to the British army, went to Sandhurst and was commissioned into the Royal Artillery in October 1948. He served in several gunner regiments, but his heart lay with the 1st Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery, with whom he served on and off for 21 years. He saw service in the UK, Aden and the British Army of the Rhine and, in 1964, took command of the Chestnut troop, the senior battery.

In 1969, to his immense pride, Farndale assumed command of the regiment and, during this period, took it to Northern Ireland, the first gunner regiment to serve there in an infantry role. Later, he became the first honorary colonel of the regiment. His infectious enthusiasm, his encouragement to those who needed a helping hand, his sense of humour and his oratory skills made him a legend within the regiment in his lifetime.

Farndale would, I feel sure, see himself first and foremost as a commander. He was at ease with soldiers and they, in turn, followed him without hesitation. Nevertheless, he was an equally brilliant staff officer. After passing out from the Camberley staff college in 1959, he served for two years in HQRA 17th Gurkha Division, where he saw active service during the final phases of the Malayan campaign, followed by a spell in military operations at the Ministry of Defence. He became an instructor at Camberley in 1966.

After two years on the defence policy staff, he returned to Germany to command 7th Armoured Brigade at Soltau. This was followed by two years as director, public relations, at the MoD, and a further two years as director of military operations. He then commanded the 2nd Armoured Division in Germany for three years. Farndale's grasp of the complexities of the all-arms battle, allied to his inspirational leadership qualities, led to his being appointed to command the 1st (British) Corps. Life was always exciting for those serving with him during this period, as he was a constant source of innovative ideas that kept all concerned on their toes. His success led to promotion to commander, Northern Army Group, and commander-in-chief, British Army of the Rhine. As a NATO general, Farndale earned the respect and loyalty of the national corps under his command from Germany, Holland and Belgium, as well as the 1st British Corps. This was fully tested on Exercise Certain Strike in 1987, the largest exercise of its type in Europe since the second world war. Here, Farndale took under his command a fifth corps, 3 (US) Corps, and established a rapport with its commanding general that lasted the rest of his life.

In 1980, he was appointed colonel commandant, Army Air Corps, continuing a line of distinguished senior officers who had filled the post. This was a new area, and, some might have felt, an added burden to his already full and demanding military life. But it was typical of Farndale that, without hesitation, he committed himself completely to his new role. He took a personal interest in every aspect of this small but rapidly developing corps, unstinting with his time and applying his huge capacity for work in an entirely selfless fashion. There is no doubt that the Army Air Corps flourished under his hand.

He retired in January 1988 after 42 years' service, and became a director and senior defence adviser to Short Brothers plc, and defence adviser to Deloitte Touche. He kept his links with the army, and particularly the Royal Regiment of Artillery, when he assumed the appointment of master gunner, St James's Park, on November 5 1988. During this period, he was also colonel commandant, Royal Horse Artillery, colonel commandant, Royal Artillery, honorary regimental colonel, 1st Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery, and honorary colonel, 3rd Battalion, the Yorkshire Volunteers.

Farndale was also a man of letters and a military historian of note. He wrote four books covering the history of the Royal Artillery, an undertaking he was still engaged in at the time of his death. He was chairman of the English Heritage Battlefields Panel and, from 1989-1993, chairman of the Royal United Services Institute for Defence Studies.

In his last years, Farndale threw his energies into safeguarding the heritage of the Royal Regiment of Artillery, particularly as president, and subsequently chairman and chief executive, of its regimental museum project at Woolwich. He was an inveterate and persuasive fund- raiser, to such an extent that some were said to be suffering from donor fatigue. Thanks to his drive, vision and determination to overcome manifold obstacles, the museum will open to the public next year.

Martin Farndale was an exceptional man, who lived an exceptional life. He was generous of spirit, an inspiring leader, a true comrade in arms and a firm friend. The world is poorer for his passing but his achievements will be remembered for many a year to come. He was appointed CB in 1980 and KCB in 1983. He married Anne Buckingham in 1955; she survives him, with their son Richard. It was a source of great pride to Farndale that Richard too served in 1st Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery, his old regiment, to which he remained intensely loyal.[161]

General Sir Martin Farndale KCB

1929 to 2000

The original author of this genealogy who led the British Army and Northern Command of NATO in the crucial years of the Cold War

Scene 8 - Gulf War 1

Six hundred years after his namesake was enrolled into the army of Henry V, Richard Farndale was commissioned into the Royal Artillery in 1987 from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and served in Germany; with the United Nations Forces in Cyprus in 1990; and as an artillery forward observation officer during the First Gulf War in early 1991. He was later Adjutant of First Regiment Royal Horse Artillery, and after retiring from the Regular army, a Battery Commander of 207 Battery, 105 Regiment (Volunteers) Royal Artillery equipped with Javelin air defence missile system. He was awarded the UN Medal for service in Cyprus, and the Gulf War Medal.

There are still Farndales serving in the armed forces today.

Return to the Matrix

or

Go Straight to Act 33 – the Modern Family

The Military Farndales Podcast

This is a new experiment. Using Google’s Notebook LM, listen to an AI powered podcast summarising this page. This should only be treated as an introduction, and the AI generation sometimes gets the nuance a bit wrong. However it does provide an introduction to the themes of this page, which are dealt with in more depth below. Listen to the podcast for an overview, but it doesn’t replace the text below, which provides the accurate historical record.

---

[1] History of the Battle of Cartegena de Indias; the Defence of Cartegena against Edward Vernon, Adam McConnaughhay, 11 March 2022.

[2] York Herald, 18 June 1853.

[3] Sun (London), 13 February 1854.

[4] Dublin Mercantile Advertiser, and Weekly Price Current, 17 February 1854.

[5] The Albion, 20 February 1854.

[6] Letter from John George Farndale to John Farndale, 4 November 1854 later transcribed for the family records by Grace Farndale.

[7] Battle of Alma, British Battles.

[8] Battle of Balaclava, British Battles, The Charge of the Light Brigade, In Our Time, 10 January 2008, BBC Sounds.

[9] Battle of Inkerman, British Battles.

[10] Siege of Sevastopol, British Battles.

[11] Letter from John George Farndale to John Farndale, 4 November 1854, later transcribed for the family records by Grace Farndale.

[12] Letter from John George Farndale to John Farndale, February 1855, later transcribed for the family records by Grace Farndale.

[13] Letter from John George Farndale to John Farndale, February 1855, later transcribed for the family records by Grace Farndale.

[14] Northern Standard, 23 July 1853, the Globe on 16 July 1853.

[15] Newcastle Journal, 7 October 1854; Newcastle Courant, 13 October 1854; Eaglescliffe is a borough of Stockton on Tees. So this was the Ensign whose father was D (T sic?) W Waldy in John Farndale’s letter.

[16] Nottinghamshire Guardian, 15 February 1855.

[17] Lord Raglan’s Despatch in Hampshire Advertiser, 17 February 1855.

[18] Letter from John George Farndale to John Farndale, Spring 1855, later transcribed for the family records by Grace Farndale.

[19] Chelsea Pensioners Discharge Documents.

[20] The Franco-Prussian War 150 years on: A conflict that shaped the modern state, Dr Michael Rowe, 17 July 2000.

[21] Abyssinian Expedition, National Army Museum.

[22] The Life and Times of Menelik II, Harold G Marcus, 1995, page 32.

[23] Attestation Papers.

[24] Birth certificate, Brotton Parish Records, GRO Volume 9d page 395.

[25] Attestation papers.

[26] The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment), National Army Museum; The Buffs, Royal East Kent Regiment, Canterbury Museums.

[27] Poor Dear Mamma, The Story of Gadsbys and Soldiers Three, Rudyard Kipling, 1896, page 116.

[28] Zulu War, 1879. National Army Museum.

[29] The action at Inyezane: Colonel Pearson’s Official Report, 23 January 1879; The Little known Battle of Inyezane, Anglo Zulu War 1879, The History Chap, YouTube.

[30] The Battle of Ulundi, National Army Museum.

[31] Egypt and Sudan, National Army Museum.

[32] Battle of Tel-el-Kebir, British Battles.

[33] Battle of El Teb, British Battles.

[34] Battle of Tamai, British Battles.

[35] The Battle of Ginnis, 30 December 1885, Durham Record Office.

[36] Battle of Paardeberg, British Battles.

[37] Siege of Kimberley, British Battles.

[38] 1911 Census.

[39] Skyrack Courier, 14 January 1916, Colton Institute CC.

[40] Military records, medal roll.

[41] Chester Chronicle, 8 July 1916 also in Sheffield Daily Telegraph, 3 August 1916.

[42] Yorkshire Evening Post, Tuesday 11 July 1916.

[43] The First Day of the Somme, Martin Middlebrook, 1984, page 270.

[44] Death Certificate, Yorkshire Post, 14 May 1917, Leeds Mercury, 14 May 1917, Skyrack Courier, 18 May 1917.

[45] 1911 Census.

[46] Military records and medal roll.

[47] Letter from George Farndale to his sister, Annie Farndale, 8 April 1917.

[48] Letter from George Farndale to his sister, Annie Farndale, 19 April 1917.

[49] Letter from George Farndale to his sister, Annie Farndale, 24 April 1917.

[50] Death Certificate, Letters, Arras Memorial, Loftus War Memorial.

[51] Letter from Second Lieutenant Greenhulds to John Farndale, 2 June 1917.

[52] Letter from Private R Sellars to Annie Farndale, 2 June 1917.

[53] Letter from Dolly to Annie Farndale, about June 1917.

[54] Whitby Gazette, Friday 22 June 1917.

[55] Attestation Papers.

[56] Talk between Alfred Farndale and his son, Martin Farndale on 29 July 1982.

[57] Ottawa Free Press, 19 December 1916, military records.

[58] Medical report, 27 July 1917.

[59] Letter from William Farndale to Grace Farndale, 12 January 1917.

[60] Family knowledge, Monumental Record.

[61] Talk between Alfred Farndale and his son, Martin Farndale on 29 July 1982.

[62] Machine Gun Corps Transfer Order and other military records.

[63] The war diary of 239 MGC, detailing the unit's actions between 13 July and 31 October 1917, is available at the National Archives or Amazon and I have a copy. It was part of 47 Division Divisional Troops..

[64] Talk between Alfred Farndale and his son, Martin Farndale on 29 July 1982.

[65] Talk between Alfred Farndale and his son, Martin Farndale on 29 July 1982.

[66] A new War Diary covered the period October 1917 to November 1919 for 239 Machine Gun Company’s service in Mesopotamia as part of 18 Indian Division and 55 Infantry Brigade.

[67] Medical Records.

[68] Britain in Iraq: 1914–1932, Peter Sluglett, 1976, page 69.

[69] Alfred Farndale’s Statement, 17 February 1919.

[70] Talk between Alfred Farndale and his son, Martin Farndale on 29 July 1982.

[71] 17 Machine Gun Battalion War Diary.

[72] Military Records.

[73] Talk between Alfred Farndale and his son, Martin Farndale on 29 July 1982.

[74] Talk between Alfred Farndale and his son, Martin Farndale on 29 July 1982.

[75] GRO Volume 9d page 503, 1939 Register.

[76] Military Records.

[77] Sheffield Daily Telegraph, 19 June 1917, also Military Records; Medal Roll; Military Medal Listing, Supplemental London Gazette, 18 June 1917; Leeds Mercury, 19 June 1917.

[78] Military Operations France and Belgium, 1916: Sir Douglas Haig's Command to the 1st July: Battle of the Somme. History of the Great War Based on Official Documents by Direction of the Historical Section of the Committee of Imperial Defence. Vol. I, J E Edmonds, 1932, page 356.

[79] Military Medals (“MM”) rarely had published citations, but were gazetted, and details sometimes exist in regimental war diaries or local press reports; British military gallantry medals, The National Archives.

[80] London Gazette, 13 May 1919.

[81] Coatham Parish Records, GRO Volume 9d page 539.

[82] Cleveland Standard, 8 May 1915.

[83] Military Records.

[84] Commonwealth War Graves Record, Death Certificate, Find a Grave Index, Monumental Record. The Records of the Green Howards (Alexandra, Princess of Wales's Own Yorkshire Regiment) are held by the Green Howards Museum.

[85] The Royal Sussex Regiment: a history, The Royal Sussex Regiment.

[86] Military records; Edinburgh Gazette, 23 October 1918.

[87] Birth Certificate, Great Ayton Parish Records, GRO Volume 9d page 606.

[88] Military Records.

[89] Census, 1939 Register, interpolated with other information.

[90] Extensive military records.

[91] Media reports.

[92] Whitby Gazette, 8 October 1915.

[93] Whitby Gazette, 30 August 1918.

[94] Extensive military records.

[95] 1911 Census.

[96] The Battle of Montcel-Frétoy , History’s Last Fight Between Mounted Lancers, Military History Now, 8 September 2022.

[97] GRO Volume 2c page 306, 1939 Register.

[98] Medical Records.

[99] 1921 Census.

[100] Norwich Parish Records, marriage record, 1926.

[101] 1921 Census, military records.

[102] Military records.

[103] GRO Volume 10a page 124.

[104] Military records and death certificate.

[105] Battle of Keren During WWII, Battle of Keren, The Abyssinian Campaigns. The Official Story of the Conquest of Italian East Africa, Great Britain Ministry of Information, 1942 pages 37 to 46.

[106] Death Certificate, Find a Grave Index.

[107] Keren War Cemetery, Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

[108] St John, Fulham Parish Records.

[109] Kindly sent to me by his granddaughter, Nicola.

[110] Lifting the Silence: A World War II RCAF Bomber Pilot Reuintes with his past, Sydney Percival Smith with David Scott Smith, 2010.

[111] About the Lancaster, Royal Air Force.

[112] RAF Witchford during the Second World War, The Wartime Memories Project.

[113] Raid on Stettin: 29^th to 30^th August 1944.

[114] Airwar over Denmark, Soren C Flensted.

[115] Lancaster I ME 718 crashed at Ove 30/8 1944; Lancaster I ME 718 - Oue at Hadsund, 29 March 2021.

[116] US Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File 1850-2010 and military records.

[117] Newspaper cutting.

[118] Flight records.

[119] Newspaper cutting.

[120] Letter from Jim Farndale, to his brother, Alf Farndale, 16 March 1945.

[121] London Gazette, 24 April 1941.

[122] GRO Volume 9b page 298.

[123] Military Records.

[124] World War II Index to Allied Airmen Roll of Honour 1939 to 1945; GRO Volume 6d page 600; Monumental Record; Air History.

[125] obit non sibi, sed patriae – not for self but for country.

[126] Emails from Patricia, John’s daughter.

[127] The Second NZ Expeditionary Force, New Zealand History, Peter Cox.

[128] The New Zealand Division in Operation Crusader, Desert War, The New Zealanders at Sidi Rezegh.

[129] Totensonntag, 23 November 1941 - The Historic Battle, Johan Schoeman.

[130] Maurice Muir.

[131] Ill-treatment of British prisoners of war at Camp PG 66 Capua, Italy, April 1941 to June, The National Archives.

[132] Campo PG 59, Camp 59 Survivors.

[133] Anecdotes from Life as a POW: In Servigliano, Italy, Brian George, WW2 People’s War, BBC.

[134] Campo PG 52; Campo 52, 8 May 2000; POW Camp 52 Pian di Coreglia Chiavari.

[135] Memories recorded at Ray Farndale’s 88th birthday in 2002.

[136] Memories recorded at Ray Farndale’s 88th birthday in 2002.

[137] Passenger Manifest.

[138] From Newfoundland to Hamburg and victory, The Shoreline, Craig Westcott, 13 November 2019.

[139] Memories recorded at Ray Farndale’s 88th birthday in 2002.

[140] From Newfoundland to Hamburg and victory, The Shoreline, Craig Westcott, 13 November 2019.

[141] See also his articles listed online.

[142] From Newfoundland to Hamburg and victory, The Shoreline, Craig Westcott, 13 November 2019.

[143] Guelph Public Library Poppy Project, 14 July 2015.

[144] Military records, letters.

[145] Military records; The Conservator, Thursday 26 and Friday 27 June 1941, page 7; The Conservator, Thursday 3 July 1941, page 2; The Conservator, Thursday 4 June 1942, page 9; The Conservator, 25 June 1942, page 3; The Toronto Star, 11 September 1952.

[146] The Conservator, Thursday 27 March 1951 page 5.

[147] Military records, National Archives at College Park; College Park, Maryland, USA.

[148] The Dispatch, 27 March 1941; The Dispatch, 10 April 1941; The Dispatch, 17 July 1941, page 22; The Dispatch, 22 July 1941; The Dispatch, 25 December 1941; The Dispatch, 29 December 1941; The Dispatch, 12 January 1942.

[149] The Prophetstown Echo, 21 July 1943.

[150] Military records.

[151] Withernsea Patrol, British Resistance Archive; The Withernsea Gunners 1941: A True Wartime Tale, Darrin Stevens, 21 April 2024.

[152] Auxiliary Units, 22 September 2025, Pillbox Study Group.

[153] All from military records, family knowledge and media.

[154] Aden Emergency, National Army Museum.

[155] Sunday Telegraph, Simon O'Dwyer-Russell, 13 September 1987.

[156] He wrote the History of the Royal Artillery, France 1914-1918 (published 1987). He wrote the History of the Royal Artillery, The Forgotten Fronts and the Home Base, 1914-1918 (published 1988). He wrote the History of the Royal Artillery in the Second World War (The Years of Defeat 1939-41) (published 1996). He wrote the History of the Royal Artillery (The Far East Theatre 1941-1946) which was published posthumously. He also wrote many articles for the British Army Review and the Royal Artillery Journal.

[157] The Battlefields Trust.

[158] A History of RUSI.

[159] Freedom of the City of London, The London Archives.

[160] The Wheelwrights, Worshipful Company of Wheelwrights.

[161] The Guardian, Wednesday 17 May 2000 and also obituaries in the Telegraph, 12 May 2000 and in other media.