Photo : Peter Hoy

Shields Gazette Friday 17/02/1911

Photo: Imperial War Museum

Medal Index Card

Headstone

Ernest Bristow Farrar was born 7th July 1885 at 16 Rycroft Road, Lewisham, London, and baptised at St Mary's Church, Lewisham, 21st July 1885, the son of Charles Druce Farrar, 'Big Mick' because of his statue, (a clergyman), [a distant relative of Lord Montgomery], and his wife Rose Alice Handyside. He was the second eldest of three children. Sister, Ethel Rose born 1883 and his younger brother Cecil F. born 1889, who followed his father into the Church.

In 1887, the family moved to Micklefield in Yorkshire and were residing at the newly built Vicarage, Old Micklefield, Micklefield, Yorkshire.

Ernest was educated first at the Local National School, then Leeds Grammar School from 1895 to 1903. Residing then at 15 Hollins Road, Harrogate.

In 1902 he was elected into the Royal College of Organists. In 1903 he passed his Associateship Diploma of the Royal College of Organists. He became the official organist for St Mary's Church in Micklefield from 1903 to 1905. In 1904 he 'joined' Durham University, but did a lot of his work at home, sending in his work when required, he was awarded an Open Foundation Scholarship, his main item of study was Composition followed by Piano study.

In May 1905, he won a scholarship to the Royal College of Music where he studied composition under Sir Charles Villers Stanford. At this time he became a member of the 'Vagabond Club', a musical social club.

He was elected Grove Scholar 1906 to 1909.

In 1906 he gained the Sir Arthur Sullivan Prize. In 1909 he left the College.

About March 1910, he was appointed church organist at St Hilda's Church in South Shields, previous to this he had taken up a 6 month post as an Organist at Dresden All Saints English Church, he stayed at South Shields until August 1912.

Ernest became engaged to Olive Wilhelmina Mason, who was a member of the same Church, and was married at St Hilda's Church 8th January 1913. Her father was Thomas Henry Mason, managing director of Mason and Co Ltd, from Westoe Village, a Chemist.

Whilst Ernest was at the Royal College of Music, he became very friendly with the Violinist Marion Scott, who had a major influence on the life of an Ivor Bertie Gurney born 28th August 1890, died 26th December 1937, English poet and composer.

Marion travelled to South Shields to perform the Celtic Suite for Violin and Piano, which Ernest had written for her. When she found out he was engaged, she never spoke to Ernest again.

On Wednesday 1st November 1911, Ernest was at the funeral of Mrs Dorothy Mason, [his future wife's grandmother], at Westoe Cemetery, who was residing at Norton. [She originally was born in Urpeth in 1821, near Chester-le-Street from two generations of farmers who farmed in the Monkton area for many years, her maiden name was Kirkup]. She used to reside at Ravensbourne Terrace in South Shields until her husband died in 1857.

Ernest married Olive Mason 8th January 1913, with Ernest Bullock being his best man. In September 1912, he became Organist and Choir master at Christ Church in Harrogate, and he also advertised for pupils. He was a teacher to Gerald Finzi in 1914.

Ernest enlisted into the Grenadier Guards in 1915, joining the regiment in August 1916. He gained a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant 27th February 1918, in the 3rd Battalion Devonshire Regiment.

3rd (Reserve) Battalion. In August 1914, they were in Exeter but moved to Plymouth on the 8th August, returning on 28th of the same month. Moved to Devonport in May 1915. A training unit used as the garrison for the defences of Plymouth, it remained in UK throughout the war.

When he arrived in France he met J. B. Priestly briefly who was in the same battalion as Ernest.

Ernest was killed by machine-gun fire at the Battle of Ephey, near Le Cateau, in the Somme Valley, 18th September 1918. He had only arrived 16th September about 7pm with Lieutenant Machon and Lieutenant Priestley.

The battalion had moved forward to East of Longauesnes to positions formerly occupied by the 34th Brigade. On the 18th September at 5.20am, War Diary extract All objectives reached many prisoner's captured. 2/Lieut Farrar killed. 2nd Lieut Priestley wounded.

The South Shields Gazette 02/10/1918 reports:

The news which came through from the front the other day of the death of Lieut. Ernest B. Farrar touched a sympathetic chord in the hearts of many Shields people, among whom he was familiarly known. Before receiving his commission he was organist at Christ Church, Harrogate. He went from there to South Shields, where for several years he was the organist at St.Hilda’s Church; and he took his wife from South Shields – Miss Mason, the only daughter of Mr. T.H. Mason, Westoe Village. He was a skilled and zealous musician, and a composer of considerable power and merit; and his personal qualities – his keen devotion to duty and his gentleness of nature allied to true piety – endeared him to everybody within his circle.

In his will he left effects £441 12s 10d to Olive Farrar his widow.

His parents set up the 'Farrar' prize for composition at the Royal College of Music.

His father it is said, planned, designed and financed the War Memorial that stands in St Mary's Churchyard today at Micklefield.

Ernest Bristow Farrar is remembered at South Shields on S86.020

War Composer
Ernest Bristow Farrar
The CWGC entry for 2nd Lieutenant Farrar