Liverpool & South West Lancashire FHS - Forum

I am looking for any family of John James Farrell known as "Jack". John was born 1890 in Carrickfergus (parents were Peter/Patrick Farrell and Eliza/Elizabeth Hartfield) on the 1901 census for Belfast John is working as a farm hand for another family but isn't present on the 1911 census for Belfast. There is an entry for a John Farriel in Colchester with the 2nd West Yorkshire Regiment who is the right age and from the right area in Northern Ireland. I did a military search for John Farriel but there isn't one but there is a medal card for WW1 for John James Farrell in the 2nd West Yorkshire Regiment so believe this is the correct one. Family in Australia were able to furnish me with a photograph of John and his fiancé/wife which was taken in Liverpool I think early in his army career as his uniform is showing him as corporal which is what he was at the start of WW1. He was a Lance Corporal by the end of the war and then re-enlisted at the end of the war where he made the rank of Sergeant. In 1923 he was awarded a GSM with Kurdistan clasp and this is the last thing I know about him. Family said they don't know what happened to him after this. There were vague mentions of Liverpool or possibly Newcastle and also leg injuries, now the family story is that a male member of the family although they couldn't recall which one had his legs blown off and moved away. No way of knowing whether there is any truth to this as many of the family stories have proven to be true to a point but somewhat confused due to re-marriages and half truths. I have sent away for Johns service records which will hopefully shed some light on where he ended up settling down but in the meantime I was hoping someone might recognise some of the details. John was awarded a Victory Medal, British War Medal, 1914 Star and a GSM with Kurdistan clasp. Not sure if there were more but there can't be too many men with this grouping of medals. Thanks in advance for any info.

Hi and welcome,

If I'm correct,

John J Farrell married Margaret J Harris, Birkenhead 1916.

Following the marriage, 3 children were born to the Farrell/Harris combination,

John J, 1917,
Winifred, 1919,
Margaret, 1920
All Birkenhead.

A Winifred Farrell married Alexander Woolley, 1939, Birkenhead.

The 1939 register, I can't open, can only fiddle with, has a Margaret Farrell, born 1894, John Farrell and Winifred (Woothey?) Woolley, all Birkenhead.

Death

Margaret J Farrell, aged 72
Birkenhead, September Qtr, 1967, 10a 66

Is there any chance you might find some of the information you are seeking, already provided on a previous post? https://www.liverpool-genealogy.org.uk/ ... 79&start=0

Also as mentioned there some information on the Great War Forum.

As you joined the forum back in 2013 I'm assuming you have now joined the Society, please let me have your membership number so that I can insert it into your profile.

1939 Register entry referred to has John J Farrell dob 22 Jan (could be Jun) 1895. Others shown Margaret dob 27 Dec 1894; one closed record; Winifred Woolley dob 6 Feb 1919.

Date of birth for John J Farrell does not tie in with 1890 birth in Carrickfergus.

Alex

I've decided to give up the search for John after his military service. All the information provided in previous posts is not connected to my John and I've lost count of the death certificates and marriage certificates I've ordered. I'm currently waiting on the MOD to send me a copy of his military records in the hope it may have marriage details on there. I did discover a marriage in India for a John James Farrell who was the correct age but fathers name was incorrect, however, I suspect it maybe correct because he wasn't the first child in the family to list their step grandfathers name as their fathers name.

Have you had trouble getting his service records? Getting them may lead to some progress.


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