Signal Boy Gordon Farrington

Gordon was born on the 5th January 1923 at Broomhill, the son of John and Mary Ann Farrington, of North Broomhill, Northumberland. Gordon joined as a Boy seaman at 16 years of age.

Mr. Pacey, brother-in-law of Gordon Farrington, has supplied the following information:

'Gordon Farrington of Amble, named on this memorial, was 17 years old when he died aboard the aircraft carrier HMS Glorious which was sunk by the Scharnhorst on the 8th June 1940. There is some debate about the circumstances concerning the sinking of the ship.

Gordon was my wife’s brother who lived at North Broomhill, not Amble. Gordon’s dream was to join the Royal Navy and his father reluctantly signed his consent form, even though he was under age. Gordon was posted onto HMS Glorious, which was sunk by the German warship, The Scharnhorst, in June 1940. Gordon lost his life along with 1500 crew who were left to drown. This thought haunted Sam, Gordon’s brother, along with living relatives of the crew who sought the truth; why were those men left to perish? Together they approached Alan Beith MP who took their case to Parliament where it was discussed at length. It was suggested that the ship which could have rescued survivors, was instructed to ignore the SOS call as they had the Norwegian Royal Family aboard. Unfortunately, it was felt the debate did not reveal the truth, nor was there an official apology; therefore no satisfactory conclusion was reached.

Yvonne Barrow has offered the following together with the photos shown here:

I have a postcard picture of Gordon Farrington In his naval uniform that my late mother treasured. Mum always said Gordon was her first boyfriend. My mum, Winifred Charlton (nee Ternent) was born in 1923 in Choppington.

On the back of the picture is written “To Winnie with all my love from Gordon x.x.x.

My mum had added a pencil note Norway 1940 HMS Glorious.

My mum married in 1942 and had 6 children. In her later years when dementia stuck she had Gordon’s picture on show in the Nursing Home. In fact the careers had presumed that was my late father.

"In This Quiet Lane" Chevington and Broomhill in World War Two ; J.H. Hardy; 200; Glen Graphics; ISBN 1 900038 75 7

Northumberland Gazette 05/02/1999 carries an article telling of the search for the truth about the sinking of H.M.S. Glorious.

Gordon Farrington is remembered in Chevington on C27.01 and on our List of Ships’ crews.

Controversy over the sinking of HMS Glorious
The CWGC entry for Signal Boy Farrington