Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Robert Henry Farclough born at East Pontop, County Durham, in 1897, was the eldest of 2 surviving brothers, 4 of his siblings died in infancy, Isabella date unknown, James Ridley Farclough born 27th Dec 1899 died in 1902 and 2 gender unknown. His parents Charles Farclough native of St. Helen’s, Lancashire, born in 1872, registered under the surname Farclough and Mary Ann Ridley born 1873 of Ryton, County Durham were married April 21st 1896 in the district of Lanchester, County Durham, where he was employed as a coal miner/hewer. After their marriage he moved from his family home at 19, East Pontop, Kyo, settling with his wife, 3-year-old Robert Henry and 1-year-old James Ridley, at 4, Dowlais Cottages, Collerley. By 1911 they and their only surviving children were living at East Pontop, Annfield Plain, Charles Farclough supported his family employed at the colliery, Robert Henry (13) who later found employment at South Pontop Colliery and Nicholas (6) were scholars.
Robert Henry enlisted at Consett, exact date unknown, assigned as Private 39545 to the 1/8th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers but did not join his regiment until their return from Alexandria, Egypt, which had been recalled in June 1916, departing July 3rd, as reinforcements for the Battle of the Somme, France. Attached to the 151st Brigade, 50th Northumbrian Division they participated during the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, September 15th-22nd 1916 and Le Transloy October 1st-18th. Whilst at the front he was transferred to the 2nd/4th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment, 183rd Brigade, 61st (2nd South Midland) Division, which had originally landed in France May 1916, and assigned a new service number, 38304, later transferred to the 8th (Service) Battalion. The 8th Battalion serving on the Western Front had been transferred to the 154th Brigade, on the morning of March 21st 1918 moved into the front line position by 7 p.m. and attacked the village of Doignies the following morning, March 22nd at 4 a.m. suffering heavy casualties during 3 enemy counter attacks with machine gun fire. The battle raged until they were withdrawn on the 23rd to Bancourt, all cases except the walking wounded were captured. March 24th they left their camp at Bancourt sent into the line as reserves at Bapaume-Cambrai road 1 mile from Bancourt. They were forced to withdraw by 8 p.m. closely pressed by the enemy and reorganised at Grevillers. Rear guard action continued March 26th, the battalion was moved on the 27th in support to Fonquevillers where the enemy was held by fresh troops. March 28th they withdrew to Doullens having sustained 2 officers and 3 other ranks killed, 9 officers and 16 other ranks wounded, 4 officers and 14 other ranks missing.
Private 38304 Robert Henry Farclough was deemed to have gone missing between March 21st-28th 1918, his next of kin were informed. After an extensive investigation as to his whereabouts he was struck off and presumed to have been killed. The C.W.G.C. have adopted the date of March 28th 1918 as the official date of his demise. He was 21 years of age and single.
His sacrifice is recorded as one of the 34,835 names of servicemen from Britain, South Africa and New Zealand inscribed on the Arras Memorial which lies at the entrance to Faubourg D'Amiens Cemetery, Arras, France, commemorating those who have no known grave, the majority of whom died during the Battle of Arras, April 9th to May 16th 1917.
His mother Mary Ann received all monies due to him, a pension and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal, sent to her at 8, West View Terrace, South Pontop, Annfield Plain, County Durham.
Mary Ann Fairclough nee Ridley died aged 57 years at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, in April 1930, Robert’s only surviving sibling, brother Nicholas, August 12th 1942, aged 30 years, who left a wife and 2 children, their deaths preceding that of Charles Farclough who died in 1943 aged 71 but recorded as 73 years of age, all registered in the district of County Durham.
In God's safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Robert Henry Farclough is remembered at Greencroft on G54.01 and G54.02 and at Annfield Plain on A38.01
