3rd October 1915

Albert Herbert Farrow, who seems to have been known as Herbert, was born in Roughton, Norfolk on 25th August 1885 to parents Jonathan and Sarah Farrow. He enlisted as a regular soldier with the Coldstream Guards on 10th January 1905 and served five years with the colours, including two years in Egypt. He then joined the Reserve, when he became a gamekeeper. On the 1911 census he is shown as living at Marston Green and his occupation is recorded as under gamekeeper.

He married Amy Upton at Coventry on 8th July 1912 and the couple set up home at Tile Cross, Sheldon. On the outbreak of war he was recalled to his regiment and he served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from 30th August 1914. He died in the 38th Field Ambulance on 3rd October 1915, aged 28, from wounds received in action during the attack on the village of Mazingarbe on the same day.

The Birmingham Daily Mail of 28th October 1915 reported news of his death and noted that he was employed as a gamekeeper on the Chelmsley estate. He is buried in France at Mazingarbe Communal Cememtery and he is commemorated locally on war memorials at Sheldon (as Herbert Farrow) and Marston Green (as H. Farrow).

If you have any further information about Herbert Farrow and his connection with Marston Green and Chelmsley Wood, please let us know.

Tracey
Heritage & Local Studies Librarian

tel.: 0121 704 6934
email: heritage@solihull.gov.uk