Name
Frank Farmer
1877
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
15/09/1916
39
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
G/9748
Middlesex Regiment
23rd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Pier and Face 12 D and 13 B.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Hitchin memorials
Pre War
Frank was born in 1877 in Hitchin, his parents were Henry James and Gertrude Louisa Farmer (née Allen) and they married in Old Church, St Pancras, London on 27 August 1874.
In 1881 the family were living at Dacre Road, Hitchin. Present were both parents: Henry (48) and Gertrude (25), with Henry a corn merchant. Their children were: Frank (5), Charles (3) and Alexander just two months old. Also present was William Burton (14) a general domestic servant. All, including William Burton, were born in Hitchin.
In 1891 the family were living at 48 Wilberforce Road, Hornsey, Middlesex. Henry senior was missing, but Gertrude was recorded as ‘wife’ (not widow) and living on her own means. The children listed were Frank, Charles, Alexander and new sibling twins Gordon and Stuart at six months and born in Hornsey, Middesex.
In 1901 the family were living at 145 Isledon Road, Islington. Gertrude now recorded as widow and head. Only sons Charles, Alexander and Gordon were all present.
By 1911 the family were living at 50 Hillfield Avenue, Hornsey N. Gertrude and the above three sons were present.
Frank was absent from both the 1901 and 1911 census and he married Louisa Ann Chartres (b 3/2/1881) in St Mark’s Church, Islington on 28 July 1907, when he was recorded as a mattress maker. Their only child Frank Albert was born on 5 August 1909. They have not been found in the census.
Officially he was recorded as born in Hitchin, Herts. and was living in Harringay, Middlesex when he enlisted in Finsbury Park, Middlesex.
Wartime Service
Frank enlisted on 6 April 1915, in Mill Hill when he was 37 years and 22 days old and living at 29 Hadley Road, Finsbury Park, Islington and he joined his Battalion in Mill Hill on the 9th.
He was posted to the 5th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment and remained at ‘Home’ in training, but at Fort Pitt, Chatham he suffered with scabies between the 15 November and 9 December 1915, and, probably before then, was fitted with part upper and lower dentures.
Training complete he embarked for France and landed there on the 3 May 1916. He was later recorded in the 23rd Battalion and may have been transferred to them on arrival in France.
He was given 10 days Field Punishment No 2 on 22 June 1916, but the reason is not recorded in his service record.
He was killed in action on 15 September 1916 and his body lost. He is commemorated on Thiepval memorial,
Additional Information
After his death £2 15s 1d pay owing was authorised to go to his widow, Louisa, on 23 January 1917. Later, a war gratuity of £6 was authorised to be paid to her on 23 September 1919.
His pension cards record Louisa Farmer as his widow and as his dependant, living at 27 Hadley Road, Finsbury Park, Islington, Middlesex, another address, probably a later one was 103 Moray Road, Finsbury Park. It also records their child Frank Albert (b 5/8/1909) and (b ).She was awarded a grant paid 14 March 1917 and then a pension of 18s 9d a week from 9 April 1917 for her and Frank.
His British War and Victory medals were received by his widow on 18 November 1920. Earlier she was sent his effects which appear to only have been his identity disc.
Acknowledgments
Jonty Wild
