Pte
James Farrell
Information about birth
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Year of birth: 1896 |
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Place of birth: Tunstall, Staffordshire, England, United Kingdom |
General information
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Profession: Roll turner |
Army information
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Country: England, United Kingdom |
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Force: British Expeditionary Force |
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Rank: Private |
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Service number: 16295 |
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Enlistment date: 01/02/1915 |
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Enlistment place: Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England, United Kingdom |
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Units: — Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment), 2nd Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 28/09/1917 |
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Place of death: Kangaroo Trench, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 21 |
Cemetery
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Poelcapelle British Cemetery Plot: XLII Row: D Grave: 18 |
Distinctions and medals 3
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1914-15 Star Medal |
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British War Medal Medal |
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Victory Medal Medal |
Points of interest 2
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Enlistment place |
My story
Private James Farrell, a former roll turner, served in the 2nd Battalion Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment), which was part of the 12th Brigade, 4th Division.
On the 28th of September 1917, the day Private Farrell died, the battalion marched from their camp at Canal Bank to the front line near Kangaroo Trench (northeast of Langemark) in preparation for the upcoming Battle of Broodseinde on the 4th of October 1917.
His Burial Return Sheet notes that his grave was found in 20. V24.a.6.3. This point is located north of Passchendaele along the road to Westrozebeke (Passendalesteenweg). This is unlikely, however, since Passchendaele was still firmly in German hands at this time. It’s more likely that a transcription error was made by confusing the letters ‘V’ and ‘U’. The coordinate 20. U24.a.6.3. would place his grave at the destination of the battalion on the 28th, the assembly area at the front.
Although the War Diary does not mention any casualties on that day, it’s possible that the battalion commander was notified at a later date of Private Farrell’s death. After the war he was reburied at Poelcapelle British Cemetery.
On the 28th of September 1917, the day Private Farrell died, the battalion marched from their camp at Canal Bank to the front line near Kangaroo Trench (northeast of Langemark) in preparation for the upcoming Battle of Broodseinde on the 4th of October 1917.
His Burial Return Sheet notes that his grave was found in 20. V24.a.6.3. This point is located north of Passchendaele along the road to Westrozebeke (Passendalesteenweg). This is unlikely, however, since Passchendaele was still firmly in German hands at this time. It’s more likely that a transcription error was made by confusing the letters ‘V’ and ‘U’. The coordinate 20. U24.a.6.3. would place his grave at the destination of the battalion on the 28th, the assembly area at the front.
Although the War Diary does not mention any casualties on that day, it’s possible that the battalion commander was notified at a later date of Private Farrell’s death. After the war he was reburied at Poelcapelle British Cemetery.
Sources 4
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Ancestry https://www.ancestry.com Sources used |
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CWGC https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/491463/farrell,-james/ Sources used |
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Naval & Military Archive http://www.nmarchive.com/ Sources used |
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The long long trail https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/ Sources used |