Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Messrs Mardling Bros., of Springhurst, received a wire on Friday to say that their nephews, Private Farnel George Mardling and Lance-Corporal James William Mardling were both  killed in action in France on October 5th. Both soldiers were sons of Mr W. C. Mardling, postmaster, Port Fairy. Farnel George was the eldest son, and would be about 31 or 32  years of age; he enlisted about two years ago and has been in action ever since with two exceptions, once when he was wounded in the leg and again when he was suffering from  trench feet. Previous to enlisting he was employed in the Commercial Bank, but he had a liking for the stock and station agency business and resigned his position in the bank and took a position with a firm of auctioneers in the Western District, and was subsequently employed by Messrs J. D. Fraser and Co., Corowa. —Lance-Corporal James Wilfred Mardling was about 23 years of age, and he gave up a good position in the Union Bank where he had been employed for years, and was in a Queensland branch when be resigned, nearly two years ago. Shortly after arriving in France he met his brother Farnel, and they were together in the 8th Battalion up to the time of their deaths. Mr W. Mardling, father of the two  heroes, was for many years employed in the Rutherglen Post-office, where he commenced, and has been post-master at Port Fairy about twenty years.

Farnel George Mardling   SPC 1903-1904

DoB:  1886, South Yarra, VIC
Father:  William Cooke Mardling
Mother:  Ellen Isabella Grey, nee Younger

Farnel George Mardling enlisted on 16 July 1915 at the age of 28 years and 11 months. He was five feet, eight inches tall, with a fresh complexion, brown eyes and dark brown hair. He was not married, and his occupation was accountant.

Brother Mardling, James Wilfred, L/Cpl 4834, 8th Battalion, also killed by the same shell

From St Patrick's College, Our Bravest by Catriona Banks