Name
John Farr
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
12/09/1917
25
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
38860
Bedfordshire Regiment
8th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ST. PATRICK'S CEMETERY, LOOS
II. D. 15.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin War Memorial, Hitchin British Boys' School Memorial, Hitchin, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour, Hitchin, Not on the Buntingford memorials
Pre War
He was born in Buntingford in 1890 to James and Eliza Farr. Residing in Hitchin, he was educated at the Hitchin British Boys' School and was a marine stores dealer. In 1901 the family was living in Biggin Lane, Hitchin. By 1911 John was a lodger at 4 Gascoignes Yard, Queen St, Hitchin.
He was single and was the brother of Mrs Maylin of 4, Gascoigne's Yard, Queen Street, Hitchin. His father had been the licensee of the Globe Public House, Hitchin.
He enlisted in Bedford in April 1916.
Wartime Service
John was given the Regimental Number 33860 in the 8th Battalion of the Bedfords, although he had at one time been in the Essex Regiment with the Regimental Number 6347. His Commonwealth War Graves Commission gravestone shows the Number as 38860.
He went to France on the 26th December 1916, was wounded and was later killed in action in Frances by a shell "which brushed close to him".
At around the time of his death the 8th Battalion was at Bois Hugo on the northern slopes of Hill 70 (Loos) engaged in raiding the enemy lines. During this time they were shelled with considerable quantities of gas as well as by high explosives.
On the 12th September the Battalion were in trenches, reasonably quiet during the day though aircraft were active at night. ‘B’ Company took position in trenches opposite the enemy line to be raided on the 13/14th September. The usual night firing resulted in three or four killed and six wounded. He is buried in Plot II, Row D, Grave 15, St. Patrick's Cemetery, Loos.
Acknowledgments
Kate Thompson
Adrian Dunne, David C Baines, Jonty Wild, Carol Emery
