2nd Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (British Army)
Died:
25/05/1915 (Died of Wounds)
Age:
18
Summary
John O’Farrell was the son of John and Mary O'Farrell. He was born in Dungannon about 1897. The 1911 census records John as 14 years old. John’s father was a farm labourer. John lived with his family at Gortgonis, Tullyniskane, Tyrone. John O’Farrell enlisted in Dungannon with the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. Private John O’Farrell died of wounds in France on 25th May 1915, aged 18.
Further Information
John O'Farrell was the son of John and Mary O'Farrell. He was born in Dungannon about 1897.
The 1901 census lists John as age 4, living with the family at house 7 in Ross More, Donaghmore, County Tyrone. His mother was a house keeper. His father is not living with family at that point.
The 1911 census records John as 14 years old. John's father was a farm labourer. John lived with his family at Gortgonis, Tullyniskane, Tyrone.
Known family: John O'Farrell, Mary O'Farrell, Joseph O'Farrell (born about 1893), Robert O'Farrell, (born about 1894), John O'Farrell (born about 1897), Maryanne O'Farrell (born about 1899), James O'Farrell (born about 1902), Teresa O'Farrell (born about 1905).
John O'Farrell enlisted in Dungannon.
Private John O’Farrell was serving with the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he died of wounds in France on Tuesday 25th May 1915.
The Tyrone Courier report and a similar one in the Mid Ulster Mail wrongly identify the family name as Farrell rather than O’Farrell.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 5th June 1915:
Mr John Farrell, Gortgonis, Coalisland has received intimation from the War Office that his son, Private John Farrell, 2nd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, has died on 15th May from wounds received in action. Private Farrell, who was only 18 years of age, had enlisted just six weeks before the outbreak of the war, and was despatched with the second expeditionary force in September.
From the Tyrone Courier dated 10th June 1915:
Mr John Farrell, Gortgonis, Coalisland has received intimation that his son, Private John Farrell, 2nd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers died on 15th May from wounds received in action. Private Farrell, who was only 18 years of age, had enlisted just six weeks before the outbreak of the war, and was dispatched with the second expeditionary force in September.
Private O’Farrell is buried in Le Touquet-Paris Plage Communal Cemetery in France.
Private John O’Farrell is commemorated locally on Dungannon War Memorial.
The CWGC records Private John O’Farrell as the son of John and Mary O'Farrell of Gortgonis, Coalisland, County Tyrone.
