9th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (British Army)
Date Of Birth:
19/04/1885
Died:
07/08/1917 (Killed in Action)
Age:
32
Summary
Robert Farr was the son of Robert and Annie Farr. Robert was born in Drumglass about 1882-86. The 1901 census records Robert as age 15. The family where living at Claggan, Crossdernot, Tyrone. In 1910 Robert married Ellie. They had a child they named William John Farr. By 1911, 26 year old Robert was living with his new family at Roughan, Tullyniskane, Tyrone. A brother had been killed in the South African campaign more than 15 years previously. He had another brother, George Farr, who died at the Somme in 1916. When the news reached home that George was "missing believed killed" a third brother, Robert, immediately volunteered for the same battalion. Private Robert Farr was serving with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he died on 7th August 1917, age 32.
Further Information
Robert Farr was the oldest son of Robert and Annie Farr. Robert Farr and Annie Forde were married on 4th June 1897 in the district of Dungannon.
Robert Forde was born in Drumglass on 19th April 1885. He was the eldest of 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 Robert as age 15. His father was an agricultural labourer. The family where living at Claggan, Crossdernot, Tyrone.
In 1910 Robert married Ellie. They had a child they named William John Farr.
By 1911, 26 year old Robert was living with his new family at Roughan, Tullyniskane, Tyrone. He was working as a farm labourer. His father had died and the family now lived at Lisnagleer, Crossdernot, Tyrone.
Robert 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.
He had another brother, George Farr, who died at the Somme in 1916.
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.
When the news reached home that Robert's brother George was "missing believed killed", Robert immediately volunteered for the same battalion.
Private Robert Farr was serving with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action on 7th August 1917, age 32.
From the Tyrone Courier and News dated Thursday 30 August 1917:
Private Robert Farr, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, Tullaniskin Glebe, Dungannon, killed in action.
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.
Private Robert Farr is buried in Ypres Reservoir Cemetery, Belgium. His inscription reads: EVER REMEMBERED BY HIS LOVING WIFE AND SONS
A Memorial Tablet within Brackaville Parish Church, Coalisland reads :
“In Loving Memory of Private Robert Farr, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, killed in action at Ypres August 7th, 1917. In defence of King and Country. He is waiting to welcome us home. Erected by his affectionate wife and children”
Private Robert Farr is commemorated locally on the WWI plaque in Newmills Parish Church and on Dungannon War Memorial.
The CWGC record Private Robert Farr as the son of Robert and Anna Farr. He is also recorded as the husband of Nellie Farr of Tullyniskane, Coalisland, County Tyrone.
