Private Thomas Farrell

(Also known as Tom)

Service Number: 9660

2nd Bn. Lancashire Fusiliers

Killed in Action 3rd May 1917, aged 19

Son of the late Sergt. James Farrell & Mary Ann Farrell, 92 Hurtley Street, Burnley
(Thomas’s brother - Joseph Farrell died 5th February 1915)

From the Express & Advertiser 9th June 1917:  FAMILY FOLLOWS IN FATHER'S FOOTSTEPS.  Burnley Miner Missing: Brother Wounded

The late Sergt. Farrell who served 27 years in the Army, and took part in the Afghan campaign, had a family of seven, all born under the colours.  Of these two were girls, and one of the boys died.  Of the remaining four, one, Charles who works at the pit, has tried several times to join the Army without success, owing to his lack of fingers on one hand.  The boys evidently imbibed some of the martial spirit of their father, for all the other three donned khaki.  Lance-Corpl, Joseph Farrell of the 2nd East Lancashires, who was born at the Burnley Barracks, and who in effect prophesied his own death, was wounded on February 3, 1915, and passed away in hospital a few days later.  He had been in the Militia, and was in camp when war broke out.

Now it is the misfortune of his brother to receive official intelligence that his brother Tom, of the Lancashire Fusiliers, who enlisted before he was 18 years of age and would have been 20 next month, has been missing since May 3.  He has seen a good deal of active service in France.  About 18 months ago he was wounded in one of the big battles; some time later he was gassed; and then again he was invalided to Scotland, where he recuperated.  Like his brother James, he was a jinney-tenter at Reedley Pit.  Pte. James Farrell, of the East Lancashire Regt., who is 27 years of age, joined the King's forces immediately after the commencement of the war, and early saw active service.  He has only had one furlough, and has been at the front aout a year and nine months.  He was wounded in the shoulder in one of the important engagements some time ago, and is now in hospital near Penrith, and doing very nicely.

Buried in Brown’s Copse Cemetery, Roeux, France:  I. F. 20.