Photo: Geordie at War Project
The headstone reads:
In loving memory of
James Farrell
Irish Guards
beloved & eldest son of
Patrick & Mary Elizabeth
Farrell
and beloved husband of
Jane Farrell
who died July 3rd 1918
in his 24th year.
also
Mary Elizabeth
beloved wife of
Patrick Farrell
who died Dec. 10th 1935
aged 62 years
also Patrick Farrell
died Sept. 20th 1945
aged 74 years.
Brenda McMahon has submitted the following:-
James was the eldest of 5 sons born to Patrick and Mary Elizabeth (nee Robson). He was born in 1894 at Gateshead. His brother was John. The couple had 7 children but unfortunately 2 died.
1901 census shows his father was a coal miner (hewer). The family lived in 2 roomed accommodation at 5 Pleasant Row, Gateshead which was located next door to his brother William’s home at no. 6. William was also a hewer. His family of 8 also lived in 2 rooms.
By 1911 Patrick’s family had increased by 3 more boys ie Edward, Thomas and Robert, in fact, except for mother it was an all male household. By this time James and his younger brother, John were working at the pit like their father. At 16 James was a colliery ropeman (below ground) whilst John (aged 14) was a colliery screen labourer.
In 1916 James married his sweetheart, Jane (nee Purdy). In 1911, before she was married, Jane worked as a domestic servant. She lived with her younger sister, Alice, at their widowed Uncle Thomas’ home. Her parents had died in 1906 and 1909 leaving a family of orphans. The cause of her mother’s death is not known but her father, Thomas, was killed in a mining accident on 5 July 1906. Whilst working at his station in the pit a huge lump of stone weighing about 2 ½ tons fell on him, killing him instantly.
James enlisted and originally served with 3rd Reserve Battalion Irish but was later posted to the 5th Battalion.
He died on 3 July 1918 from wounds or infection at the 4th London General Hospital in Denmark Hill, London. He was buried at home in, St John’s churchyard Gateshead Fell.
John Farrell is remembered at Gateshead Fell on G39.064
