No.275164, Gunner, Major Daniel FARRANT
Aged 38
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Major Daniel FARRANT was born in Haverhill (Risbridge Q2-1878 4A:511), son of George and Sarah "Sally" FARRANT (née IRON ). His mother died in 1882 and father later that year married Frances HOWARD (née PAGE). She had previously been married to George Thomas PAGE and they had two sons, George William (1876) and Arthur John (1879). George HOWARD died in 1879. There had been another FARRANT brother, born 1876, registered as Daniel Major FARRANT, but sadly he died at less than one year old. 1881 census...Aged 2, he was at Mill Road, Haverhill with his father George FARRANT [38] sawyer; his mother Sally [38]; sisters Georgianna [12] and Ada Harriet [3 months] All were born in Haverhill. 1891 census...Aged 12, he was at 35 Mill Road, Haverhill with his father; stepmother Frances [40] born Haverhill; sister Alice A [2]; half-brothers George W [15] a silk warp winder and Arthur J [12]. All Haverhill born. 1901 census...He was in St Lucia serving in the Royal Regiment of Artillery His parents were still at 35 Mill Road, Haverhill He married Alice Edith MAYES on 21st June 1904 (Brentford Q2-1904). 1911 census...Aged 33, a labourer, he was at 30 Woodley Road, Woolston, Itchen, Hants with his wife Alice Edith [46]born Chelsea, and widowed mother in law Emma MAYES [76] born Harrow. His parents were still at 35 Mill Road, with a boarder Albert Victor SAWYER [17] a cycle repairer born Guildford. He appears on the electoral roll in 1912 at 30 Woodley Road, but moved to 9 Cliff Road, Itchen in 1915 and Alice was at 49 Western Road, Ealing by June 1916. CWGC have his widow at 49, Western Road, Ealing. |
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First period in Army, it does appear that he added 2 years to his age for the Army He enlisted at Great Yarmouth in the Royal Regiment of Artillery, No.7538, on 27th December 1894 for 7 years in the colours and 5 on Reserve. He gave his age as 18 years, next of kin father George Farrant at Mill Road, Haverhill. He was single, a striker, 5 feet 6.75 inches (169.6 cm)tall, weighing 132 lbs 60.1 kg), chest 33" to 35" (83.8 to 88.9 cm) (noted as undersized but likely to grow to standard, which was obviously higher than in 1914). Brown eyes, dark brown hair, Church of England. He was at the depot from 1st January 1895 until 13th November when he went to Halifax, Nova Scotia and served there until 23rd October 1897. He was then posted to St Lucia (British West Indies). The Royal Artillery was split into two groups on 1st January 1902, the Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Field Artillery being one and the Royal Garrison Artillery the other. Major became part of the Royal Garrison Artillery On 13th April 1902 he left St.Lucia to go to Gibraltar where he stayed until 27th October 1902. He then returned to UK and remained here until his discharge to the Reserves on 26th December 1906, intended address, 47 Western Road, Ealing. Second period in Army. He enlisted in Southampton on 20th August 1914 giving his age as 38 years 330 days, married, a labourer, living at 9 Cliff Road, Itchen, Hants. he was 5 feet 8.5 inches tall, weighed 153 lbs, chest 35" to 38"(see above). Initially No. SR/164, he was posted to the British Expeditionary Force on 17th March 1915 and he was in 5th Trench Mortar Bn on its formation on 28th May 1915. On 30th July 1915 he was wounded by shrapnel in the shoulder and back, but it must have been minor as he was back on duty within 3 days. After leave to UK from 4th to 13th December 1915 he attended 1st Army Trench Mortar School from 7th January to 7th February. He was on leave from 4th to 12th April 1916 and then on 31st October was admitted to hospital, seriously wounded. The family received notification on 6th November that he was dangerously ill and no visits would be permitted. On the 8th November at No.10 General Hospital, Rouen they noted he had gun shot wounds to the face, knees, forearm, and his left leg had to be amputated. He died at 9:40 pm on the 9th November 1916. The movements of his wife meant that she received his 1914-1915 Star nearly a year before the British War and Victory medals. She queried the whereabouts of his personal belongings, especially his watch, but all she received was one disc and a pension of 15 shilling per week (75p). On the "Living relatives" form in 1919 she noted herself at 49 Western Road, Ealing and his parents at 35 Mill Road, Haverhill and his brother Robert George at 42 Eden Road, Haverhill. No record has been found as to where he was wounded. It was during the last phase of the Battle of the Somme, but being in a General Hospital miles behind the lines, no way of saying where his Battery were. The South West Suffolk Echo on December 2nd, 1916 read:- "Mrs. Farrant of 35, Mill Road, received a letter from the Officer Commanding No..10 General Hospital relating to the death of her husband (sic), Private Major Farrant of the Royal Garrison Artillery. Son of Mr. and Mrs. George Farrant of 35, Mill Road, he died of wounds 8th November 1918. His widow lives in Southampton. " |
photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission
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