Sergeant James Frank Farrell
8636 2nd Rifle Brigade
Killed in Action 24th October 1916, aged 29
Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France
Burnley Express 2/12/1916

Born in Romsey, Hampshire.
Son of Thomas Farrell, of 69, Ash Rd., Gorton, Manchester, and the late Charlotte Farrell.
Employed as a postman.
Lived in Manchester.
Enlisted at Manchester.

Burnley Express - 2nd December 1916
Burnley Postman Killed Heading an Attack

News has been received in Burnley of the death in action of Sergt. James Frank Farrell, of the Prince Consort’s Rifle Brigade, a former Burnley postman. He was a Manchester man, and his parents resided in Gorton. For two or three years he was a postman in Burnley, and was well known and much respected in the Queensgate and Reedley districts. He was an obliging and courteous public servant, and was always popular with his comrades to whom the news of his death came as a great shock. Twenty nine years of age he was a reservist, and was called up and went to the front in August 1914. He has taken part in nearly all the big battle, and his younger brother, who was in the same company, has fought by his side since the beginning. An elder brother is serving with the Border Regiment. Sergt. Farrell visited Burnley when he was last on furlough. Lieut. Norman R. Harvey, of the Rifle Brigade, has written from a hospital as follows to the parents:
“Sergt. Farrell was my platoon sergeant, and no officer could want a sounder or more reliable man to back him up. He was the essence of all that was soldierly and honest, and a man I had great regard for. He died in action on October 23rd, whilst heading an attack against a German trench. His death was instantaneous, as he was struck by a bullet in the head. The other officers in the company who went into the fight were all killed, so I can give you no more details as to his actual end.”

Burnley News - December 2nd 1916
Officer’s Tribute To Burnley Postman Killed in Action

The death in action is reported of Sergt. Jas. Frank Frarrell, a Manchester man, whose parents reside at Gorton. He was 29 years of age, and in civil life was a postman in Burnley. He was greatly respected in Reedley district for the obliging and courteous conduct of his public duties. He was very popular amongst those with whom he had worked. Being a Reservist, Sergt. Farrell went to the Front in August 1914. He participated in many big battles up to the time of his death. A younger brother of the Sergeant is in the same company, and an elder brother serves in another regiment. Lieutenant Harvey, writing to Mr. Farrell, stated:-
“Your son was my platoon sergeant, and no officer could want a sounder or more reliable man to back him up. He was the essence of all that was soldierly and honest, and a man I had great regard for. He died on October 23rd, whilst heading an attack against a German trench. His death was instantaneous, as he was struck by a bullet in the head. The other officers in the company who went into the fight were all killed.”
During the last few weeks the following three Burnley postmen have been wounded:- Pte. F. Smith, King’s Shropshire L.I.; Pte. J. Freshney, East Lancashire Regiment; Pte. E. Leighton, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment.