Lance Corporal Joseph Farrell

Service Number: 4579

2nd Bn. East Lancashire Regiment

Died of Wounds 5th February 1915, aged 22

Son of the late Sergt. James Farrell (2nd Bn. East Lancashire Regiment) & Mary Ann Farrell

(Joseph's Brother - Thomas Farrell was killed in action 3rd May 1917)

From the Express and Advertiser dated 10th Feb 1915: Might Never See Him Again. Prophecy That Came True.

News was received yesterday morning of the death of Lance Corporal Joseph Farrell (4579), of the 2nd East Lancashire Regiment, who resided at 92 Hurtley Street, Burnley. The sad news was conveyed in a letter sent by C. M. Chavasse a Chaplain with the forces who writes under Saturday’s date, “Dear Mrs Farrell, I am grieved to have to tell you of the death of Lance Corporal J Farrell of the 2nd East Lancashires, who passed away in the hospital yesterday. He was brought in on the 3rd inst. with a bad wound in the chest and was hardly ever conscious. He told me he had seen a priest at the field ambulance and he wished me to send his love to you. He would never say any more. He passed very peacefully away, and a French priest who could talk English buried him in a little cemetery at this place today in a special spot reserved for soldiers fallen in the war. A wooden cross marks the exact spot and he had his name and Regiment upon a metal tablet. I pray that God may himself be your comfort in your great sorrow, and always remember that Lance Corporal Farrell died like our blessed Lord Himself, in the service of others.”

Buried in Merville Communal Cemetery, France: Grave Ref I. K. 58