FARNELL, Alfred Frederick
| Service Number: | 1046 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 12 September 1914, An original of E Company 12th Bn |
| Last Rank: | Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 12th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Woodbridge, Tasmania, Australia, 11 July 1888 |
| Home Town: | Middleton, Tasmania |
| Schooling: | Gordon State School, Tasmania, Australia |
| Occupation: | Farmer |
| Died: | Died of wounds, France, 11 April 1917, aged 28 years |
| Cemetery: |
Pozières British Cemetery Plot II, Row J, Grave No. 34. THY BRAVE HEART WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN DEAR SON REST ON IN PEACE |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour |
World War 1 Service
| 12 Sep 1914: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 1046, 12th Infantry Battalion, An original of E Company 12th Bn | |
|---|---|---|
| 17 Sep 1914: | Involvement Private, 1046, 12th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '10' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Geelong embarkation_ship_number: A2 public_note: '' | |
| 17 Sep 1914: | Embarked Private, 1046, 12th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Geelong, Melbourne | |
| 25 Dec 1916: | Promoted AIF WW1, Corporal, 12th Infantry Battalion |
Help us honour Alfred Frederick Farnell's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Brooks
Alfred Farnell, known as Alf, was wounded three times during his service with the AIF, prior to his fourth mortal wounding at the First Battle of Bullecourt. He served at the Anzac Landing on 25 April 1915 and suffered a bomb wound to the head a week later. He rejoined his unit during July 1915 and was again wounded by bombs on 8 September 1915. He was evacuated, first to Malta and then on to England where he was treated for buttock wounds. He arrived back in Egypt during early 1916 and was soon serving on the Western Front.
Farnell was again wounded during the Battle of Pozieres on 24 July 1916 and was treated in France for a few months. He was promoted Corporal later in 1916 and was dreadfully wounded on or about 8 April 1917. He was sent to the No.3 Casualty Clearing Station but died of his wounds three days later.
His mum added on his roll of honour form, “He enlisted in 1914 and was in the landing where he received severe wounds after some weeks fighting, and he was wounded three times after. All that knew him said he was a brave, fearless soldier.”
He was the son of Charles Farnell and Mrs. Hannah Farnell, of "Hillcote", Middleton, Tasmania. The father died in Tasmania, aged 70, four days after Alfred died on the battlefield.
Alf’s younger brother, 4497 Arthur Ernest Farnell, 51st Battalion AIF, returned to Tasmania with a new English wife during late 1919.