9th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (British Army)
Date Of Birth:
28/02/1893
Died:
01/07/1916 (Killed in Action)
Age:
23
Summary
George Farr was the son of Robert and Annie Farr. George was born in Drumglass about 1893.By 1901 the family where living at Claggan, Crossdernot, Tyrone. By 1911, 20 year old George had left home and moved to Dungororan, Crossdernot, Tyrone where he was working as a servant for the Jackson family, who were farmers. His father had died and the family now lived at Lisnagleer, Crossdernot, Tyrone. George Farr was following a family tradition when he left his home at Claggan, Mulnagore, Dungannon, to go to war. A brother had been killed in the South African campaign more than 15 years previously. George Farr enlisted in Dungannon. Private George Farr was with the 9th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers was killed in action on 1st July 1916.
Further Information
George Farr was the son of Robert and Annie Farr.. Robert Farr and Annie Forde were married on 4th June 1897 in the district of Dungannon.
George Forde was born in Drumglass on 28th February 1893. He was one of at least eight children.
By the time of the 1901 census, the family all had the surname Farr.
Known family: Robert Farr, Annie Farr, Robert Farr (born 19th April 1885), Matilda Farr (born 1st March 1887), Samuel Farr (born 28th March 1889), Mary Farr (born 25th March 1891), George Farr (born 28th February 1893), Annie Elizabeth Farr (born 10th October 1894), Henry Farr (born 21st September 1896), Ellen Farr (born 2nd March 1898).
The 1901 census records George as age 8. His father was an agricultural labourer. The family where living at Claggan, Crossdernot, Tyrone.
By 1911, 20 year old George had left home and moved to Dungororan, Crossdernot, Tyrone where he was working as a servant for the Jackson family, who were farmers. His father had died and the family now lived at Lisnagleer, Crossdernot, Tyrone.
George Farr was following a family tradition when he left his home at Claggan, Mulnagore, Dungannon, to go to war.
A brother had been killed in the South African campaign more than 15 years previously.
George Farr enlisted in Dungannon.
Private George Farr arrived in France with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers on 5th October 1915.
From the Tyrone Courier dated 20 July 1916:
Private George Farr, reported missing, is a native of Mulnagore, and is a step-brother of Mr William Ford, who resides at Drumballyhue, Rock.
Private George Farr was serving with the 9th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme on Saturday on 1st July 1916.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 22nd July 1916:
Private George Farr, Tyrone Volunteers, reported missing, is a native of Mulnagore, Dungannon. His step-brother, Mr William Forde, resides at Drumballyhue, Rock.
From the Tyrone Courier dated 24 August 1916:
The relatives of Lance Corporal George Farr, Tyrone Volunteers, have been officially notified that he is missing since 1st July, and is believed to have been killed. He resided at Claggan, Mulnagore. A brother had been killed in the South African war, and on receiving intimation of the present casualty Robert Farr, another brother, who resided at Tullyniskane Rectory, promptly joined.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 26th August 1916:
The relatives of Lance Corporal George Farr, Tyrone Volunteers, have been officially notified that he is missing since 1st July, and is believed to have been killed. He resided at Claggan, Mulnagore. A brother was killed in the South African War, and on receiving intimation of the present casualty Robert Farr (another brother who resided at Tullyniskane Rectory) promptly joined the Tyrone Volunteers.
When the news reached home that George was "missing believed killed" a third brother, Robert, immediately volunteered for the same battalion. On August 7, 1917, he too was killed and is buried at Ypres Reservoir Cemetery in Belgium.
Another brother, James Farr, who lived in New Zealand, enlisted with the Wellington Regiment. Hailing from Claggan, Dungannon, his next of kin is given as Ellen Farr, Dungannon. No 10/4455 Private James Farr was discharged on 27/11/1918 being no longer fit for war service (chronic pulmonary disease). It is believed he died in a nursing home in Christchurch in 1948. See below for full service record.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 28th October 1916: Private James Farr (brother of George Farr)
Mrs Watt, Mulnagore, Dungannon, has received intimation that her brother, Private James Farr, New Zealand contingent, has been wounded in action. His brother, Lance Corporal George Farr, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, was recently killed in action.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 2nd November 1917: Private James Farr (brother of George Farr)
Private James Farr, New Zealand Infantry, wounded and gassed on 18th October, is a brother of Miss Ellen Farr, Mulnagore, Donaghmore, County Tyrone.
From the Tyrone Courier dated 8th November 1917: Private James Farr (brother of George Farr)
Miss Ellen Farr, Mulnagore, Donaghmore, has received intimation from the officer in charge of the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces Records that her brother Private James Farr, New Zealand Infantry, was wounded and gassed in France on 18th October.
Private George Farr has no known grave has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme. The Thiepval Memorial, the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, bears the names of more than 72,000 officers and men of the United Kingdom and South African forces who died in the Somme sector before 20 March 1918 and have no known grave. Over 90% of those commemorated died between July and November 1916.
Private George Farr is commemorated locally on Dungannon War Memorial, his inscription beside that of his brother.
