On the Tyne Cot Memorial, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium, is the name of 204650 Private Walter Farnaby serving with the 20th Battalion Durham Light Infantry who died 22/09/1917.

The son of the late John and Elizabeth Farnaby and the husband of Sarah Ann Gunn (formerly Farnaby), of 2, Verdun Terrace, West Cornforth, Co. Durham.

Brenda McMahon has submitted the following:-

Walter Farnaby the son of John and Elizabeth (nee Clemmet), was born at Melsonby, Yorkshire in 1878. His parents went on to have eleven children including Ann, Thomas, Emma, Jane, William, John E., James Henry and George Roger.

In 1881 The family were living at Low Merryberry Cottage. Father, John was a farm labourer.

By 1891 they had been a new addition to the family, a daughter, Evelyn. John had now changed his employment and was working as a coal miner/hewer as was son William. Two other sons, John (15) and James (14) were also working at the pit. They had also changed home and were now living at lived at Old Eldon beside the colliery.

The 1901 census shows John still working at the age of 60 but now back to agricultural labouring. His 3 sons were still working as hewers. There was also a family headed by Thomas Farnaby living next door.

Their mother Elizabeth died in 1904.

Walter married his sweetheart, Sarah Ann Fawcett at Darlington in 1907. They had one child who had died. In 1911 Walter and Sarah Ann with niece, Mary Elizabeth Farnaby were living at Balaclava Street West Cornforth. Walter was a Coal Miner/Hewer.

Father John, now retired was living at Pit Street East Howle with his married daughter Evelyn. John died in 1920.

Walter enlisted at Bishop Auckland February 15th 1915 and served as a private in the Durham Light Infantry. His service number was 3434 later changed to 204650. He was living at 7 Clive Street Ferryhill Station when he enlisted. After training he embarked for France August 20th 1915.

He was killed at the age of 39 on the 22nd of September 1917.

His widow, Sarah Ann Gunn (formerly Farnaby), of 2, Verdun Terrace, West Cornforth, Co. Durham., had received a pension for herself until she remarried.

Medals: 1915 Star British War Medal and Victory Medal

Walter’s brother John Edward, in 1918 was serving as a Private in the Northumbrian Fusiliers with Service No 16834. He survived the War. George Roger another of Walter’s brothers was killed October 1st 1916. His nephew Robert Allan Farnaby, son of James Henry 1877-1937, died during WW2.

Walter Farnaby is remembered at Ferryhill Station on F43.01, in the  D.L.I. Book of Remembrance page 258 and in the Battalion History page  52.