Name
Percy (R in some records) Farr
1891
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
11/07/1917
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Trooper
106008
Hertfordshire Yeomanry
1st/1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
BAGHDAD (NORTH GATE) WAR CEMETERY
XX. M. 7.
Iraq
Headstone Inscription
None
UK & Other Memorials
Ashwell Village Memorial, St Mary’s Church Roll of Honour, Ashwell, Hertfordshire Yeomanry Memorial, St Albans Cathedral
Pre War
Percy Farr was born in 1891 in London, the son of Harry and Emma Farr (later of Hitchin, Herts) and the grandson of James and Elizabeth Farr of Hitchin.
He was brought up by his uncle and aunt Edward and Kate Mole (nee Farr) and on the 1901 Census he was living them and their family in Ashwell and was described as a lodger. He remained with them and was listed on the 1911 Census as their nephew, living with them in High Street, Ashwell, Herts, at which time he was working as a bricklayer's labourer.
He was educated at Merchant Taylors School in Ashwell and at the time of enlistment he was said to be living in Leicester where his widowed mother then lived.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Hertford and joined the army in November 1915, serving with the 1st Hertfordshire Yeomanry. After the completion of his training he was posted to the Middle East in October 1916.
Percy died on 11 July 1917 in Mesopotamia as a result of the effects of sunstroke and was said to be one of three brothers/cousins who were to lose their lives during the war.
The Hertfordshire Express reported on 28 July 1917 that official news has been received from the War Office that Trooper Percy Farr succumbed to heat stroke on the 11 July in Mesopotamia. The article described him as having "a fine physique, and being of a bright and cheery disposition was a general favourite with all his comrades, and will be much missed."
He is buried in Baghdad Cemetery, Iraq.
Additional Information
His mother Emma received a war gratuity of £7 and his pay owing of £15 5s 1d was divided between his mother and brothers Henry and William.
A newspaper report after his death stated that two of his brothers also died while serving in WW1.
His cousin, Albert Edward Mole served with the Grenadier Guards and died in 1917. His cousin Stanley Alfred Mole served with the Royal Army Service Corps and survived. Both are named on the Ashwell Roll of Honour.
Acknowledgments
Derry Warners, Brenda Palmer
Gareth Hughes, Adrian Pitts, Paul Johnson, www.ashwellmuseum.org.uk
