Name
Arthur William Farrow
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
17/04/1915
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
16472
Bedfordshire Regiment
1st Bn.
'A' Coy.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL
Panel 31 and 33.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
NA
UK & Other Memorials
St Mary's Church Roll of Honour (Book), Hitchin,
Diocese - Book of Remembrance, St Albans Cathedral, St Albans,
Diocese of St Albans - ROH, St Albans Cathedral, St Albans
Pre War
The Soldiers Died in The Great War database records that Arthur William Farrow was born in Ipswich, was resident in King's Lynn, but enlisted in Hitchin.
Mrs Farrow – probably his mother, of 30 Creswell Street, Kings Lynn, made an enquiry into his whereabouts on 30 August 1915
His pension card records that his money owing and war gratuity were paid to his father Arthur, after his death at 6 Frank Lane, Gaywood, Kings Lynn
Unfortunately, the family have not been found at either address in the 1911 census and there are several other records that could fit what we know for this man. Including a service record for a man of the same name, also born in Ipswich, but who survived. So, we are unable to positively identify the correct man's history before becoming a soldier.
If you have any information that could help please contact us.
The ‘best fit’ found is as follows, but note Arthur William is listed as William Arthur. The reversal of names is not unknown in military records but does demonstrate that there is still doubt as to whether this is the man who became Private 16472.
In 1901 this family were living at 69 Queens Street, Lowestoft, Hitchin. Present were both parents: Arthur (39) and Helen A (39), with Arthur and working as a coach body builder. Their children were: Florence Delia (12) and William Arthur (7, b Ipswich, c1884). The first census before William Arthur’s death reveals an elder sister Maud born c1886.
By 1911 this family were living at 14 Chapel St, Kings Lynn. Present were both parents, Arthur senior still working as a coach body builder. The census recorded they had been married for 27 years with 5 children of whom 2 had died. Both the children listed above were present, with Willam Arthur now 17 and a boot shop assistant. A boarder was also present Earnest Robert Plowright (21).
Officially Arthur was recorded as born in Ipswich and living in King's Lynn when he enlisted Hitchin, Herts.
Wartime Service
There is an Arthur William Farrow with a similar background and who survived.
Arthur was given Regimental Number 16472 and posted to the 1st Battalion of the Bedfords which was part of the 15th Brigade of the 5th Division in II Corps of the 2nd Army.
He entered France on 24 March 1915
He was killed in action in Belgium.
His death coincides with the Capture of Hill 60 just south of the Ypres Salient. Six tons of explosives had been ignited under the hill at 7.00pm the previous day and the Bedfords waited until 5.30am next morning to support the previous attacks which bad captured the hill. The casualties on both sides were numbered in thousands.
He has no known grave, but is remembered on Panels 31 & 33 of the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing at Ypres in Belgium.
Arthur was recorded as missing on 19 April 1915 and later daied of wounds
Mrs Farrow, 30 Creswell Street, Kings Lynn, made an enquiry to the Red Cross as to his fate on 30 August 1915.
Additional Information
Arthur's connection to Hitchin, other than his enlistment there, has yet to be found.
After his death £8 3s 10d was authorised to go to his father, Arthur, on 11 April 1916. Later, a war gratuity of £3 was authorised to be paid to him on 14 August 1919.
His pension cards are not complete, but does give an address for a Mrs Helen Farrow, of living at 6 Frank Lane, Gaywood, Kings Lynn.
Acknowledgments
Adrian Dunne, David C Baines, Jonty Wild
