Biography of Corporal Herbert Sands Farrow (25074)
9th Battalion East Surrey Regiment Regiment
Formerly Royal Fusiliers (Bankers’ Battalion)
Died 21st November 1916

Soldier

  • Name: Herbert Sands Farrow
  • Date of birth: 1891
  • Place of Birth: Folkingham, Lincolnshire, England
  • Date of Birth Registration: January – March 1891
  • Place of Birth Registration: Bourne, Lincolnshire, England

Father

  • Name: John Sands Farrow
  • DOB: 1860
  • Place of Birth: Rippingale, Lincolnshire, England
  • Occupation: Tailor and outfitter (dealer)

Mother

  • Name: Harriet Palmer
  • DOB: 29th June 1863
  • Place Of Birth: Thorney, Cambridgeshire, England
  • Marriage: 1890 Sleaford Distirct

Siblings: (Name), (DOB), (POB)

  • Herbert Sands Farrow, 1891, Folkingham
  • John Lewis Farrow, 1893, Folkingham
  • William Reginald Farrow, 1895, Folkingham

Census

  • 1891: Herbert is living with his parents in Church Street, Folkingham, Lincolnshire.
  • 1901: Herbert is living with his parents in Market Place, Folkingham, Lincolnshire.
  • 1911: herbert is living with a Eliza Annie Clark (Widow) at 17 Glebe Road, Brigg, Lincolnshire. The census gives him an age of 20 and he is listed as a bank clerk.

Relatives in services

  • Both of Herbert’s brothers fought in WW1 but returned.

Marriage

  • No marriage for Herbert has been found and because of his age we can assume that he never had the opportunity to marry.

Newspaper Mentions

  • Grantham Journal Saturday 9th December 1916
    KILLED IN ACTION
    FARROW – Fell in action, on November 21, 1916,
    Corpl. Bert Farrow, eldest son of John S. and H. Farrow, Folkingham.
    Mr. and Mrs. Farrow thank all kind friends for their deep sympathy.

 

  • Grantham Journal Saturday 9th December 1916
    FOLKINGHAM
    THE SYMPATHY of a wide circle of friends will be extended to Mr. and Mrs. Farrow and family, in the great loss they have sustained by the death of their eldest son. Corpl. Bert Farrow, who fell while serving his country.  Deceased, who was 25 years of age, was with the Union of London and Smith’s Bank. in their Grantham Branch, and had earned for himself the esteem and respect of his employers and colleagues.  He joined the Royal Fusiliers (Bankers’ Battalion), in Febuary, and after completeing his training, was attached to the East Surreys.  He was only in the trenches about 12 weeks, but during that time quickly gained distinction, and was promoted to Corporal.  For many years he was a member of the Folkingham choir, and always when on a home visit he took his old place. He was ever ready to assist in parochial efforts.  He was greatly respected by all, and his loss will be keenly felt.  Mr. and Mrs. Farrow’s two remaining sons are serving abroad.

 

  • Stamford Mercury Friday 9th December 1916
    FOLKINGHAM
    The Sympathy of a wide circle of friends will be extended to Mr. and Mrs. Farrow and family, in the great loss they have sustained by the death of their eldest son. Corpl. Bert Farrow, who fell while serving his country in France.  Deceased, who was 25 years of age, was employed with the Union of London and Smiths’ Bank. at their Grantham Branch, and was greatly  esteemed and respected of his employers and colleagues.  He joined the Royal Fusiliers Bankers’ Battalion, last Febuary, and after completeing his training, was attached to the East Surreys for active service.  He was only in the trenches about twelve weeks, but during that time he quickly gained distinction, and was promoted Corporal.  For many years he was a member of the Folkingham choir, and always when on a home visit he took his old place and gave his help.  He was greatly respected by his numerous friend, and his loss will be keenly felt by all.  Mr. and Mrs. Farrow’s two remaining sons are serving abroad.

     

    Military Records

    Attestation Papers

    • None found

    Soldier’s Died In The Great War

    • These records show that Corporal Herbert Sands Farrow, 25074, 9th Bn East Surrey Regiment was killed in action on 21st November 1916 in the Western European Theatre in France and Flanders.

    Pension Records

    • None found

    Effects Left To

    • Father John S.

    Medals

    • The British Medal
    • The Victory Medal

    Memorials

    • UK:
    • Folkingham, Roll of Honour in St  Andrew’s Church
    • Brigg War Memorial

     

    • Commonwealth War Graves Commission:
    • In memory of Corporal Herbert Sands Farrow, G/25074, 9th Bn., East Surrey Regiment who died on 21 November 1916 Age 26
    • Son of John S. and H. Farrow, of Market Place, Folkingham, Lincs.
      HIS NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE
    • Remembered with honour, Philosophe British Cemetery, Mazingarbe
    • I. A. 35.

    © Picture taken by South Lincolnshire War Memorials

    © Picture taken by South Lincolnshire War Memorials

    © Picture taken by South Lincolnshire War Memorials

    © Picture taken by South Lincolnshire War Memorials

    Military Service Timeline – Published biography

    • Herbert, born 1891 in Folkingham, was the son of John Sands Farrow, born in Rippingale, a Tailor and outfitter and his wife Harriet Palmer born in Thorney. He became a bank clerk and worked in Brigg and also Grantham before enlisting.
      Grantham Journal Saturday 9th December 1916
      FOLKINGHAM
      THE SYMPATHY of a wide circle of friends will be extended to Mr. and Mrs. Farrow and family, in the great loss they have sustained by the death of their eldest son. Corpl. Bert Farrow, who fell while serving his country. Deceased, who was 25 years of age, was with the Union of London and Smith’s Bank. in their Grantham Branch, and had earned for himself the esteem and respect of his employers and colleagues. He joined the Royal Fusiliers (Bankers’ Battalion), in February, and after completing his training, was attached to the East Surreys. He was only in the trenches about 12 weeks, but during that time quickly gained distinction, and was promoted to Corporal. For many years he was a member of the Folkingham choir, and always when on a home visit he took his old place. He was ever ready to assist in parochial efforts. He was greatly respected by all, and his loss will be keenly felt. Mr. and Mrs. Farrow’s two remaining sons are serving abroad.
      Herbert Farrow is Remembered with honour in the Philosophe British Cemetery, Mazingarbe.
      He is also remembered on the Brigg war memorial and also on the National Westminster Bank employees memorial in their City of London offices.Today we remember Folkingham man, Corporal Herbert Sands Farrow (25074) of the 9th Battalion East Surrey Regiment Regiment, Formerly Royal Fusiliers (Bankers’ Battalion) who was killed in action on this day 21st November 1916.
       
      Herbert, born 1891 in Folkingham, was the son of John Sands Farrow, born in Rippingale, a Tailor and outfitter and his wife Harriet Palmer born in Thorney. He became a bank clerk and worked in Brigg and also Grantham before enlisting.
       
      Grantham Journal Saturday 9th December 1916
      FOLKINGHAM
      THE SYMPATHY of a wide circle of friends will be extended to Mr. and Mrs. Farrow and family, in the great loss they have sustained by the death of their eldest son. Corpl. Bert Farrow, who fell while serving his country. Deceased, who was 25 years of age, was with the Union of London and Smith’s Bank. in their Grantham Branch, and had earned for himself the esteem and respect of his employers and colleagues. He joined the Royal Fusiliers (Bankers’ Battalion), in February, and after completing his training, was attached to the East Surreys. He was only in the trenches about 12 weeks, but during that time quickly gained distinction, and was promoted to Corporal. For many years he was a member of the Folkingham choir, and always when on a home visit he took his old place. He was ever ready to assist in parochial efforts. He was greatly respected by all, and his loss will be keenly felt. Mr. and Mrs. Farrow’s two remaining sons are serving abroad.
       
      Commonwealth War Graves Commission:
      In memory of Corporal Herbert Sands Farrow, G/25074, 9th Bn., East Surrey Regiment who died on 21 November 1916 Age 26
      Son of John S. and H. Farrow, of Market Place, Folkingham, Lincs.
      HIS NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE
      Remembered with honour, Philosophe British Cemetery, Mazingarbe
      I. A. 35.
       
      Herbert is also remembered on the Brigg war memorial and also on the National Westminster Bank employees memorial in their City of London offices as well as the Folkingham Roll of Honour in St Andrew’s Church.
      He is also remembered on a page dedicated to his memory on our own web site
       
      https://www.southlincolnshirewarmemorials.org.uk/our-villages/folkingham/herbert-sands-farrows/

    Sources

    • WW1 Soldier’s Records (www.ancestry.co.uk)
    • British Newspaper Archive.
    • Fold 3
    • Find My Past
    • Genealogist
    • Forces War Records
    • British Army Service Numbers
    • War Gratuity Calculator
    • Commonwealth War Graves Commission
    • National Archives – Battalion War Diaries
    • General Registry Office