The Whitby 5 Line

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Whitby family through the Victorian Age

 

 

 

  

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The Story of the Whitby 5 Line

John Farndale was born in Kilton and moved to Danby and then to Newholm, Whitby. This is a very large line of Farndales associated with the Whitby area, and particularly the village of Egton, 15km west of Whitby, Whitby itself, Loftus and Eskdaleside. This large family includes Joseph Farndale, the well respected Chief Constable of Birmingham; Rev Dr William Edward Farndale, a leading Methodist; and George Farndale who was killed in action in 1917 at the Battle of Arras. From this line there also emerged the Loftus 3 Line, the Wakefield 1 Line, the William Line, the Nottingham 1 Line and the Holderness Line.

 

The genealogical chart showing the Whitby 5 Line

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Kilton 1 Line

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John Farndale

4 May 1788

Married Ann Nicholson

Farmer

Whitby, Danby, Brotton, Clitherbeck

FAR00210

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

William Farndale

14 October 1814 to 24 May 1886

Innkeeper and agricultural labourer of Egton

Egton, Danby, Whitby

FAR00257

 

Mary Ann Farndale

25 July 1816

Married William Pringle on 8 July 1843

Whitby, Danby, Egton, Grosmont

FAR00259

 

John Farndale

Died of convulsions after 3 days

7 to 10 October 1842

FAR00355

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Pringle Family

 

 

John Farndale

28 March 1818 to 12 August 1874

Married Margaret Dawson 18 June 1838

Farmer of Newholm, Agricultural labourer, quarry waggoner of Eskdaleside, carrier

Eskdaleside, Whitby, Whitby (Newholm)

FAR00262

 

Jane Farndale

21 March 1820 to 9 December 1884

A servant in Stanghow

Stanghow, Danby, Goathland

FAR00268

 

 

Joseph Farndale

19 May 1824 to June 1875

Married Margaret Brown and Jane Hodgson

Labourer in Whitby and carter in York

York, Whitby

FAR00285

 

 

 

 

 

Sarah Farndale

18 September 1871 to 1873

Daughter with second wife, Jane

FAR00513

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ann Farndale

5 September 1842 to 1904

Married William Husband on 14 August 1864

Whitby, Egton, East Loftus

FAR00354

 

 

 

 

The Husband Family

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hannah Elizabeth Farndale

1880 to 1881

Parents not confirmed but may have been another daughter of John Farndale1880 to 1881

Egton

FAR00567

 

Samuel Farndale

25 October 1844 to 24 January 1847

Whitby

FAR00361

Hannah Farndale

17 January 1847 to 3 October 1851

She died aged 5.

Egton 

FAR00372

William Farndale

22 April 1849 to 22 February 1894

Married Hannah (incorrect reference to Ann?) Elizabeth Harrison

Ironestone miner

Loftus, Whitby, Egton

FAR00378

 

 

The Loftus 3 Line

John Farndale

18 July 1851 to 3 January 1939

Married Susannah Smith

Miner of Egton, labourer and later Ironstone Mines Deputy

Egton, Whitby, Loftus

FAR00387

Samuel Saunders Farndale

28 March 1855 to June 1911

Married Mary Hogarth

Labourer of Egton and then ironstone miner who died at age 56

Egton, Whitby

FAR00410

Hannah Farndale

28 August 1864 to 1 February 1956

Married Robert Heywood (a clog block maker) on 13 October 1883

Egton, Loftus

FAR00462

 

 

 

The Heywood Family

Thomas Farndale

24 June 1839 to 22 December 1919

Married Sarah Bell in 1862, and then Alice Dowell in 1900

Innkeeper in Wakefield (Smith's Arms)

Newholm, Whitby, Eskdaleside, Wakefield, York, Scalby, Scarborough

FAR00344

 

 

The Wakefield 1 Line

Joseph Farndale

27 April 1842 to 8 August 1901

Married Jane Newton

Police Sergeant in Middlesborough

Chief Constable of Leicester, Chesterfield and Birmingham police,

Middlesborough, Whitby, Ashton, Chesterfield, Leicester, Birmingham

FAR00350B

 

 

John W Farndale

1866

Government Medical Officer, Colonials

Middlesborough, Chesterfield, Leicester, Kings Norton, Willesdon, Hampstead, London

FAR00472

John Farndale

6 November 1845 to 1874

Labourer and carter

York

FAR00365

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Jane Ann Farndale

1847 to ?

Married Fletcher Cranswick in 1870

York

FAR00371

 

 

 

The Cranswick Family

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

William Brown Farndale

1850 to 1851

Died aged about 6 months

York

FAR00384

Joseph Farndale

11 November 1853 to November 1853

Died at birth of convulsions

York

FAR00401

Hannah Farndale

1854 to ?

Servant

Married William Summersgill or Thomas Wood in 1883

FAR00407

William Farndale

9 March 1859 to 16 February 1909

Married Mary Jane Peacock in 1880

Railway porter and Methodist local preacher, then town missionary, and later baker and confectioner

York, Macclesfield, Chorlton

FAR00435

Henry Farndale 1861 to 1950

A general labourer and workhouse inmate

York

FAR00419

 

Mary Farndale

24 January 1864 to 1915

Married Thomas French on 22 May 1886

York, Pontefract

FAR00461

 

 

The French family

 

 

 

 

Margaret Gwendoline Farndale

1901 to ?

Bank Clerk at London Joint City and Midland Bank

Married Pancras, London 1924 to HSN Hutton

FAR00703A

Joan Edna Murray Farndale

30 June 1901 to 1993

Married Edward E Lee at Pancras, London in 1925

Pancras, Croydon, Worthing, Sussex

FAR00711A

Louisa Farndale

6 July 1872 to ?

Married Joseph Day or Henry Young in 1907

York, Romford

FAR00518

Mary Emily Farndale

5 November 1874 to 1953

Married William Ernest Hitchcock, a lithographic artist on 26 December 1896

York, Shardlow, Derbyshire

FAR00529

 

 

Thomas S Farndale

30 May 1872 to 15 August 1938

Ironstone miner

Goathland, Loftus

FAR00515A

Mary Farndale

21 June 1874 to after 1911

Married Frederick Spencely on 13 June 1899

Goathland

FAR00526

 

 

The Spencely Family

John William Farndale

28 February 1876 to 1952

Married Elizabeth Ann Simpson on 16 March 1907

Agricultural labourer, ironstone miner, milk seller and farmer of a mixed farm. In 1901 he sold horses from Danby as remounts for the army.

Danby, Whitby

FAR00537

Sarah Ann Farndale

27 January 1878 to 11 July 1934

She was maybe referred to as Elizabeth in the 1881 census, but later seems to have been called Sarah

Married John Thomas Elliott in 1902

They had a family of 3

Whitby, Egton, Goathland, Loftus

FAR00556

Harry Farndale

20 February 1882 to 4 August 1918

Agricultural labourer

Loftus, Guisborough

FAR00583

Edith Farndale

1886 to 1968

Inmate at the Stokesley Poor Law Institution in 1939

Loftus

FAR00611

Annie Farndale

1889 to 22 May 1971

Dressmaker

Egton, Loftus, Catterick Village

FAR00637

George Farndale

A person wearing a hat

Description automatically generated

1891 to 25 May 1917

Blacksmith striker

Killed in action on the 27th of May 1917, during the Battle of Arras, barely one month after arriving in France

Whitby, Loftus

FAR00646

Sarah Ann Farndale

28 June 1879 to 7 August 1964

Married Charles Dale in 1900

Egton

FAR00568

 

 

The Dale Family

Thomas William Farndale

13 June 1882 to 27 December 1950

Blast furnace labourer, miner, lights on man

Married Christie Ann Dixon in 1908

Loftus, Liverton Mines, Whitby, Egton, Guisborough, Cleveland

FAR00587

Annie Elizabeth Farndale

1 April 1884 to 9 December 1950

Married George Edward Cuthbert (ironstone miner) in 1900

Family of 5

Egton, Loftus

FAR00599

 

 

 

The Cuthbert Family

Frank Farndale

7 November 1886 to 16 November 1890

Died aged 4

Egton

FAR00616

 

 

John Farndale

1 June 1890 to 11 September 1968

Married Hannah Temple in 1912

Master Butcher

Private in the Royal Army Service Corps in WW1

Egton, Guisborough, Skelton, Lingdale, Boosbeck

FAR00640

Rev Dr William Edward Farndale

Farndale, William Edward D.D. (1881-1966)

Leading Methodist

24 September 1881 to March 1966

Married Florence May Price

York, Chester le Street, Grimsby, Lincoln, Trowbridge, Bath

FAR00576

 

 

 

Joseph Farndale

13 July 1883 to December 1965

Married Minnie Hughes in 1911

York, Chorleton, Holderness

FAR00593

Ellen Farndale

20 January 1886 to 1979

Married John G Wardell in 1912

York, Macclesfield, Chorlton, South Manchester, Luton

FAR00612

 

Alice Jane Farndale

1 February 1909 to 1989

Married Cyril E Goodwill in 1932

Upton, Loftus, Whitby, Northallerton

FAR00753

Doris Susannah Farndale

20 January 1913 to 2001

Married Ronald Simpson in 1940 at Whitby

Loftus, Whitby

FAR00789

The Elliott Family

 

 

Ethel Farndale

14 July 1916 to 15 May 1940

Loftus

Domestic servant (incapacitated)

Died aged 23

FAR00831

 

Samuel Saunders Farndale

1911 to 7 January 1912

Died aged 4 months to MMN Farndale

Almost certainly named after grandfather and daughter of one of the above female Farndales

FAR00776

 

 

Irene Farndale

12 June 1913 to 25 January 2008

Married John W Jackson in 1939

Guisborough, Cleveland, York, Whitby

FAR00797

Mary Alice Farndale

2 October 1888 to 19 July 1889

Egton

Died aged 9 months

FAR00630

Meggy (Meggie) Farndale

20 March 1893 to 27 January 1966

Married Frank V St L Trevor

Liverton Mines, Egton, Loftus

FAR00660

 

 

The Trevor Family

The William Line

 

 

 

Leslie Farndale

29 March 1909 to 1975

Married Ellen Sanders in 1943 and Irene Marriott in 1950

Guisborough, Cleveland, Bashford, Portsmouth, Leeds, Nottingham, Bradford

FAR00757

 

 

The Nottingham 1 Line

Polly Farndale

 

 

1911 to 6 February 1969

 

Married Francis Stephenson in 1911

 

Loftus

 

FAR00774

 

Ethel Farndale

1913 to 11 December 1913

Died aged 1 month

Liverton Mines

FAR00798

 

Alice Farndale

 

3 October 1914 to 1983

 

Married Jack Hogarth in 1943

 

Domestic worker

 

Liverton Mines, Scarborough, Cleveland

 

FAR00806

 

Thomas William Farndale

15 August 1917 to 24 October 1958

Underground Mines Horse Driver

Loftus

FAR00842

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

??

Christie Ann Farndale

 

7 May 1920 to 1991

 

Domestic servant

 

Married Stanley Burton in 1942

 

Loftus

 

FAR00860

Elizabeth Farndale

 

10 October 1923 to 1994

 

Married Kenneth W Sherman in 1946

 

Cleveland, Stroud, Gloucestershire

 

FAR00887

The Jackson Family

 

Madge Farndale

4 February 1912 to 1981

Married Raymond Mell in 1934

Manchester, Tynemouth, Patrington, Willerby, Beverey

FAR00780

Jack Farndale

1913 to 1915

Died aged 2

Prestwich, Chester

FAR00790

William Derrick Farndale

19 September 1914 to 5 June 1988

Married Lily Peck in 1942

Motor fitter, Tractor Driver

Sergeant, Patrol Commander Withensea Patrol in WW2

Mobberley, Cheshire, Holderness, Hull, Patrington, Bucklow

FAR00811

 

 


The Holderness Line

Margaret Elizabeth Farndale

17 August 1918 to April 1998

Hairdresser

Married Harold J Ovens in 1943

Chester, Tynemouth, Withernsea, Holderness, Worthing

FAR00845

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lydia A Farndale

1943

MMN Parkinson

Married Robin Cooper in 1962

Whitby, York

FAR00991

Elizabeth E Farndale

1947

MMN Parkinson

Married Freddie Johnson in 1974

Cleveland, Manchester

FAR01010

Michael Farndale

1948

MMN Parkinson

FAR01032

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Ancestry of the Whitby 5 Line

The Whitby 5 Line can trace directly back to 1512 from John Farndale to Nicholas Farndaile as follows:

 

John Farndale (FAR00210), 1788

The Kilton 1 Line

                                                  

Samuel Farndale (FAR00149), 1735 – 1797

 

William Farndale (FAR00130), 1708 - 1789

 

John Farndale, (FAR00116), 1680-1757

 

The Liverton 2 Line

 

Nicholas Farndale, (FAR00082), 1634-1693

 

The Kirkleatham Skelton Line

 

Georgins Ffarndayle, (FAR00073), 1602-1693

 

George Ffarndayle, (FAR00067), 1570-1606

 

William Farndale, (FAR00063), 1539-?

 

Nicholas Farndaile (FAR00059), 1512-1572

 

You can then follow details of Farndale in the medieval period who were almost certainly earlier ancestors at Volume 1 of the Farndale directory.

 

You can then explore Yorkshire prehistory to give you a further perspective of the distant ancestry of the people of Farndale.

 

 

Chronology of the Whitby 5 Line

 

A computer screen capture

Description automatically generated with low confidence

 

4 May 1788

John Farndale The Elder, son of Samuel and Elizabeth Farndale, was born at Kilton.

 

12 December 1813

John Farndale the Elder married Ann Nicholson at Danby.

14 October 1814

William Farndale, son of John and Ann Farndale of Clitherbeck, was baptised in Danby. The baptism ceremony was performed by D Duck!

 

Clitherbeck Farm is just north of Danby.

 

 

25 July 1816

Mary Ann Farndale, daughter of John and Ann Farndale, was baptised in Newholm, Whitby. Mary Ann Farndale was probably the mother of John Farndale out of marriage, who died of convulsions aged 3 days. She married William Pringle at Danby in 1843. They later lived at Eskdalehead and Grosmont.

 

 

28 March 1818

John Farndale The Younger, son of John and Ann Farndale, was baptised in Newholm, Whitby.

 

John Farndale the Elder was a farmer at Brackon Riggs.

 

21 March 1820

Jane Farndale, daughter of John and Ann Farndale, was baptised in Newholm, Whitby.

19 May 1824

 

Joseph Farndale, son of John and Ann Farndale, was baptised in Newholm, Whitby.

18 June 1838

John Farndale the Younger, a farmer, married Margaret Dawson at the Parish Church in Whitby.

 

24 January 1839

 

Thomas Farndale, son of John and Margaret Farndale, was baptised in Newholm, Whitby. Thomas moved to Wakefield by 1862, where he was an inn keeper and he married Sarah Bell that year. They had six children and he is Founder of the Wakefield 1 Line. His son Joseph Farndale CBE KPM became Chief Constable of the Margate, York and Bradford police.

 

By 1841

 

John Farndale the Elder was an agricultural labourer, aged 60, at Danby End.

William Farndale was an inn keeper in Egton.

Jane Farndale was a servant at the house of the farmer, Thomas Scarth, at Howe End, Danby.

19 April 1841

William Farndale, an agricultural labourer, married Sarah Sanders, a cartwright’s daughter, at Egton Parish Church.

28 August 1841

Jane Farndale married Frank Readman, a husbandman of Stanghow at the Parish Church in Danby. Jane Readman died in Goathland in 1884.

27 April 1842

Joseph Farndale (later the Chief Constable), son of John and Margaret Farndale, was baptised in Newholm, Whitby.

5 September 1842

Ann Farndale, daughter of William and Sarah Farndale, was baptised in Egton. Ann married William Husband, a mariner of Egton at the Parish Church, Whitby in 1864 and they had a daughter. William Husband became deputy ironstone miner living in Egton village. Ann Husband died aged 60 in 1904 in East Loftus.

11 May 1844

Joseph Farndale the Older, a farm servant of Sneaton, married Margaret Brown, the daughter of a coachman at the Register Office in Whitby.

25 October 1844

Samuel Farndale, son of William and Sarah Farndale, was baptised in Egton. Samuel died in 1847 and was buried at St Hilda, Egton on 24 January 1847, aged 2.

6 November 1845

John Farndale, son of Joseph and Margaret Farndale, was baptised in Whitby.

1847

Jane Ann Farndale, daughter of Joseph and Margaret Farndale, was born in Whitby. She married Fletcher Cranswick in York in 1870.

17 January 1847

Hannah Farndale, daughter of William and Sarah Farndale, was baptised in Egton. Hannah died in Egton in 1851 and was buried there.

2 March 1849

William Farndale, son of William and Sarah Farndale, was baptised in Egton. William, a farm worker in Borrowby, married Ann (or Hannah?) Elizabeth Harrison in Whitby in 1869 and they had five children. He was an ironstone miner in Loftus and he is Founder of the Loftus 3 Line.

 

1850

William Brown Farndale, son of Joseph and Margaret Farndale, was born in York. William died in 1851 at York.

18 July 1851

John Farndale Junior, son of William and Sarah Farndale, was born in Egton.

By 1851

William Farndale was living with his parents in law and his family in Egton – William Sanders was a cartwright and William Farndale an agricultural labourer.

 

John Farndale the Younger was an agricultural labourer in Eskdaleside.

 

 

Joseph Farndale the Older was a labourer at 2 Brick Yard Lane, St Nicholas, York.

 

11 November 1853

Joseph Farndale, son of Joseph and Margaret Farndale, was born in York. Joseph died of convulsions at birth.

1854

Hannah Farndale, daughter of Joseph and Margaret Farndale, was born in York. Hannah was a servant in the Kirk Household in York in 1871 and she married William Scott Summersgill in the Wetherby area in 1883.

28 March 1855

Samuel Sanders Farndale, son of William and Sarah Farndale, was baptised in Egton.

9 March 1859

William Farndale, son of Joseph and Margaret Farndale, was baptised in York.

By 1861

John Farndale the Younger was a waggoner in Eskdaleside.

28 July 1861

Henry Farndale, son of Joseph and Margaret Farndale, was baptised in York.

 

1861

Joseph Farndale (later Chief Constable of Birmingham) was working as a drainer, aged 19, in Eskdaleside.

 

14 July 1862

By 1862, Joseph Farndale was a police constable:

 

Middlesbrough Police News:

 

Disorderlies: George Robinson was charged with using foul and disgraceful language to PC Farndale on Saturday night last, and also allowing his ferocious dog to go at large unmuzzled. Fined 20s, or 28 days imprisonment.

 

(Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser, 18 July 1862)

 

25 August 1862

Middlesbrough Police News:

 

Disorderlies: William Reilly was charged by PC Farndale with being drunk and riotous on Saturday evening in Durham Street. Fined 10s including costs or 14 days to Northallerton.

 

(Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser, 29 August 1862)

 

24 April 1863

Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser, 24 April 1863

 

Middlesbrough Police News

 

STEALING BOOTS – Edward M’Quinnal, of Stockton, was charged by John Conner with stealing a pair of boots from his stall in the market on Saturday night last. Prosecutor stated that at 10 o’clock he saw them safe, and shortly afterwards saw prisoner about his stall, and while he was engaged with his back to him, prisoner had gone away, and he (Conner), missed a pair of boots. He followed after prisoner, and in about twenty yards overtook him and asked if he had got a pair of boots from the stall, at the same time taking him by the collar, and saying he would give him in charge of the police. Prisoner said what boots, and dropped them to the ground. He called on PC Fandall [sic] to take him on the charge. Their value were 7s 6d. Committed to Northallerton for one month of hard labour.

 

3 October 1863

York Herald, 3 October 1863:

 

Police Court, Middlesbrough on Tees:

 

John Dooley, shoemaker, was charged with having been drunk and riotous in Dacre Street, on 26th inst. Fined 10s. Isabella Dooley, wife of the previous defendant, was charged with having been drunk, and with having assaulted policeman Farndale in the execution of his duty at the time and place above mentioned. Fine Ł1, but in default of payment was committed to the House of Correction for 28 days.

 

31 October 1863

York Herald, 7 November 1863:

 

Police Court, Middlesbrough on Tees:

 

Jane Hamilton Sparke, aged nine years, was charged by policeman Farndale, with having been picking pockets in the Market place, on the 31st ult. The officer, who was on duty in plain clothes, caught the juvenile thief in the act of picking a woman’s pocket, and immediately took her into custody. In consequence of the tenderness of years, the magistrates committed the prisoner to the York Industrial School for five years.

 

24 January 1864

Mary Farndale, daughter of Joseph and Margaret Farndale, was born in York. She married Thomas French in York in 1886. They had four children. Mary probably died in Pontefract in 1915.

4 April 1864

Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser, 4 April 1864

 

Middlesbrough Police News, Monday December 7th

 

AGGRAVATED OFFENCE – John Melone, a youth twenty years of age, was charged with being drunk and riotous in Danby Place, and with assaulting William Spence, PC Farndale and Inspector Bowes. It appeared he had misbehaved himself in a house, when a cry was raised for a policeman and William pence going into the house turned him out. He struck, kicked and drew his knife, and while the police officers were taking him to the lock up he was very violent. For being drunk and riotous he was fined 10s or go to prison 14 days; for assaulting Spence he was fined 20s and in default one moth’s imprisonment; and for the assault on the policeman 10s for each offence, or 14 days.

 

16 July 1864

Hannah Farndale, daughter of William and Sarah Farndale, was born in Egton. Hannah Farndale married Robert Heywood in 1883. He was a clog block maker, and later an ironstone miner, in Loftus. Hannah Heywood died in 1956 and was buried at Loftus cemetery.

 

9 July 1864

By 1864, Joseph Farndale had been promoted to Sergeant:

 

York Herald, 15 July 1864:

 

MIDDLESBROUGH POLICE NEWS, Monday July 11th

Before E Gilkes (Mayor), J Richardson and HWF Bolckow Esqrs

 

Felony – Elizabeth Mulligan was charged with having stolen two pounds and a half of mutton from the stall of Geo. Milner in the Butcher’s Market on Saturday night last. Complainant said he was a butcher, and had a stall in the market, and on Saturday night, whilst he was serving some customers, defendant came up. He had his back to the defendant, and after she had left the stall he missed the mutton. Complainant immediately followed, and found it under her shawl. He valued it as 1s 8d. Sergt Farndale said he saw the prisoner on Saturday night, when she said she had taken a glass of drink, or else would not have taken the meat. She had only 8 1/2d in her possession. Committed for 21 days hard labour at Northallerton.

 

 

York Herald, 16 July 1864:

 

MIDDLESBROUGH

 

STEALING MUTTON – At the borough court, on Monday, Elizabeth Mullighan, married woman, was charged by George Milner, butcher, with stealing 2 ˝ lbs of mutton, value 1s 8d, from his stall in the market, on the night of the 9th inst. Prisoner went up to the stall, and after handling some meat, was seen to put the piece of mutton under her arm. She was charged with the theft, when she ran away, but Sergeant Farndale, who was close by, succeeded in capturing her. In defence, prisoner pleaded that she would not have stolen the mutton if she had not been in drink. Committed to Northallerton for twenty one days’ hard labour.

 

7 April 1865

Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser

 

Middlesbrough Police News, Monday December 7th

 

HAWKING WITHOUT LICENCE – James Todd was charged by Sergeant Farndale with hawking pots without a licence at Port Darlington on Monday last. Committed fourteen days hard labour.

 

17 May 1865

John Farndale the Elder was buried at Egton Bridge.

6 November 1865

Joseph Farndale (later Chief Constable of Birmingham), a police sergeant of Middlesbrough, married Jane Newton, the daughter of a coachman, at Middlesbrough Parish Church.

3 March 1866

Joseph Farndale the Older, by then a widower, a labourer of St Laurence Brickyard in York, married Jane Hodgson in the Register Office in York.

13 November 1866

John William Farndale, son of Joseph Farndale (later Chief Constable of Birmingham) and Jane Farndale, was born in Stockton.

2 November 1867

By November 1867 he was a police inspector.

 

York Herald, 2 November 1867:

 

Middlesbrough

 

SUDDEN DEATH OF A CHILD – On Tuesday last an inquest was heard before TC Sowerby Esq, deputy coroner, on view of the body of Michael Brannan, a child seven weeks old. Ann Murray said she lived next door to Mrs Brannan, and about half past seven on Monday morning she was called in to see the child, which was lying in a cradle quiet, dead, but warm. Dr Dickenson deposed that he made a post mortem examination of the body of the deceased and from the internal appearance he was convinced that it had been suffocated. The coroner stated that about a year ago he held an inquest on the body of another of Brannan’s children who had died in a similar manner, and he had ordered a post mortem examination to see if there had been foul play. There was no evidence to show that there had. Inspector Farndale had made inquiries round about the neighbourhood relative to the death of the deceased. Verdict: “Died from suffocation, though by what means there is not sufficient evidence to show.”

 

22 May 1868

Northern Weekly Gazette, 22 May 1868:

 

 

ANOTHER BEERHOUSE OFFENCE – William Shaw, beerhouse-keeper, was charged by Superintendent Saggerson with permitting several persons to play at dice for money in his house, in Wilson Street, on the 16th inst, Inspector Farndale and John Pickerill proved this charge. Fined 9s.

 

ANOTHER BEERHOUSE OFFENCE – Joseph Quigley was charged by Superintendent Saggerson with permitting violent, disorderly and quarrelsome conduct upon his premises on the 16th inst. Inspector Farndale proved this case, and defendant was fined 15s.

 

 

5 September 1868

York Herald, 5 September 1868:

 

Durham

 

THE SUPERINTENDANT OF DURHAM POLICE FORCE. Last night week, the adjourned meeting of the City of Durham Watch Committee was held in the Mayor’s Chamber, Guildhall (the Mayor Presiding), to consider the testimonials of ten candidates for the office of superintendent of police selected at last meeting. Shortly after the business commenced, a deputation, consisting of Mr Joseph Taylor, publican, and Mr Dawson, painter, was introduced to present a memorial, numerously signed by the inhabitants, praying that the committee would allow Superintendent Beard to withdraw his resignation. The memorial received, and the committee proceeded to select five candidates from the ten already retained. The following is a list of those retained: Inspector Farndale, Middlesbrough; Supt Jas Jarvis, Aylesbury; Inspector John Shields, City of York; Sergeant Woodward, Durham County Constabulary; and inspector Wilson, Salford. The meeting then adjourned until Thursday.

 

9 May 1869

DEATH OF A NEW BORN CHILD AT FULFORD. On Monday last, an inquest was held at the Bay Horse public house, Fulford, before J P Wood Esq, on view of the body of a new born female child, the daughter of Harriet Scott, who was in the service of Mr John Feather, of the above village. On Sunday morning she gave birth to the deceased, and shortly afterwards Jane Farndale, her fellow servant, found the dead body of the child wrapped in a petticoat under the bed. Mr North of this city, surgeon, made a post mortem examination of the body, and found that the child had breathed to a considerable extent, but whether that respiration took place before or after complete birth he was not able to say. Here were no indications which enabled him to form any opinion as to the cause of death. Scott was only hired by Mr Feather in January last. The jury returned a verdict that the deceased was “Found dead under a bed, but how or by what means she came by her death there is not sufficient evidence to satisfy the jury”. It is intended to take proceedings against the mother of the child for the attempt to conceal its birth.

 

(York Herald, 15 May 1869)

 

Fulford is immediately south of York. The Sunday of the incident was 9 May 1869.

 

29 May 1869

In 1869, Joseph Farndale became a Chief Superintendent, with a move to the Chesterfield Borough Force:

 

On Tuesday the members of the Corporation met for the purpose of choosing a Superintendent for the Borough Police n place of Mr Stevens, who had retired. There were fifteen members of the Corporation present, but the press being excluded, we are unable to give their names. Five persons had been selected from the list of applicants, and the Council first proceeded to vote for four out of the five when the votes stood as follows

 

13 – Farndale, Middlesbro’

13 – Shields, York

8 – Jones, Salford

7 – Else, Chesterfield

0 – Leonard

 

The two lowest were struck out, and the Council voted for two out of three s follows:

 

Farndale – 11

Shields – 10

Jones – 2

 

The contest then lay between Farndale and Shields, and the final vote stood as follows:

 

Farndale – 8

Shields – 7

 

Mr Farndale, of Middlesbro’, was then declared elected and the meeting broke up.

 

(Derbyshire Times)

 

 

At the same time, Joseph Farndale was appointed Chief Constable of Chesterfield Police, a post which he held until 1871.

 

THE POLICE INSPECTOR – Mr Farndale, inspector of the Middlesbro’ police force, has been appointed chief constable of Chesterfield, as successor to Mr Stephens, now superintendent of Rochdale force.

 

(York Herald)

 

 

Derbyshire Courier, 5 June 1869:

 

THE NEW SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE.

 

Mr Farndale, formerly inspector of the Middlesbro’ police, arrived in Chesterfield on Monday last, and commenced his new duties as superintendent of police for this borough. We earnestly wish him success in his new office. The following appeared in a Middlesbro’ paper:

 

On Tuesday last Inspector Farndale of the Middlesbro’ Police force, was appointed Chief Superintendent of Police for the borough of Chesterfield, Between seven and eight years ago, Mr Farndale, when scarcely twenty years of age, entered the Middlesbro’ force as a constable. Under Chief Superintendent Saggerson he has been gradually promoted through various stages to the position of Inspector – the duties of which he has satisfactorily discharged for some time,. By his gentlemanly manners and thorough efficiency as an officer, Mr Farndale has gained the respect of all classes at Middlesbro’; and we have no doubt he will fill the responsible office to which he has been elected with credit to himself and advantage to the community along whom he is placed. It speaks well for our police force that Mr Farndale has been selected out of a number of applicants; and that on two previous occasions of a similar nature he stood second in regard to votes.

 

 

Derbyshire Times, 26 June 1869:

 

PRESENTATION TO SUPERINTENDENT FARNDALE.  We have much pleasure in noting that Mr Farndale, the recently appointed chief Superintendent of the Chesterfield borough force, has been presented by the Middlesborough Police Force and a few friends, with a handsome gold watch bearing the following inscription: “Presented to Inspector Farndale by the Middlesborough Police Force and a few friends, as a mark of respect, on leaving to take command of the Chesterfield constabulary – June 9, 1869”.

 

 

Sheffield Daily Telegraph, 13 July 1869

 

ANOTHER ROBBERY – Margaret Daley, a prostitute, was charged with stealing from the person of one George Dove 35s on the 11th inst at Chesterfield. Superintendent Farndale asked for remand in this case also until today (Tuesday), which was granted.

 

Derbyshire Times, 14 July 1869:

 

Before the rising of the Court, Supt Farndale of the Borough Police addressing the Bench said he was sorry he was not in attendance when the two little girls were tried for stealing a pocket handkerchief, but from the remarks which had fallen from the Bench, it was necessary that he should make some explanation. On Tuesday night Mr Robinson, surgeon, sent for an officer and handed the two little girls into custody, for picking the woman Yeoman’s pocket. He said he was in his surgery and saw them work around the woman and one got the handkerchief and handed it to the other girl, who worked it round her foot and afterwards concealed it. When they had got some distance they stopped to examine it and they then went away. He (Mr Farndale) went to see Mr Robinson about the matter, and he said from the way in which the little girls took the handkerchief he had no doubt they were expert pickpockets. Ad there had been several complaints of parties having handkerchiefs stolen, and only on Saturday last a woman had her handkerchief which had a sovereign in it, taken, he thought he might have dropped upon the guilty parties; but had he been aware that the woman was in the habit of playing with the children he should have taken a different course in the case.

 

Derbyshire Courier, 17 July 1869

 

Superintendent Farndale explained to the bench with reference to the little girls charged with picking a pocket of a handkerchief, that it was in consequence of Dr Robison informing him that he had seen the girls working around the prosecutrix in the manner of professional pickpockets

 

There are a large number of similar articles in 1869 not all repeated here.

 

 

 

 

By July 1869, he was reported in the public offices of Billet Master, Inspector of Nuisances, Inspector and Registrar of Lodging Houses and Superintendent of Borough Police (Derbyshire Courier, 3 July 1869)

 

By August 1869, he had been given the office of Inspector and Registrar of Lodging Houses (Derbyshire Courier, 7 August 1869).

 

By 6 November 1869, Joseph Farndale had the civic titles in Chesterfield of Billet Master and Inspector of Nuisances (article in the Derbyshire Courier, 6 November 1869).

 

 

2 August 1869

 

The Derbyshire Times, 7 August 1869:

 

Head Constable Office, 2nd Aug 1869

TO THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF CHESTERFIELD

GENTLEMEN. I have to report that during the quarter ending 31st July, 87 persons were taken into custody by the police, and 12 summoned; of those, 5 were committed for trial, 79 summarily convicted, and 15 discharged.

The police force was inspected by Captain Egee, her Majesty’s inspector of Constabularies for the Northern District, on the 23rd ult. He suggested some alterations in the books, that an officer should always be in charge of the police office, and strongly recommended that a lock up should be built.

In consequence of so many robberies taking place in brothels, I felt it my duty to lay informations against several of the occupiers, and on the 13th of July last Thomas Sims and Elizabeth Nichols, Cross Keys Passage, and Ann Dickin, Wheeldon lane were committed to take their tral at the next quarter Sessions. Since then the number of offences and disorderly houses have greatly diminished.

In conclusion I beg to state that since my appointment the members of the force have been attentive and active in the discharge of their various duties.

I have the honour to be, Gentlemen

Your most obedient servant

JOSEPH FARNDALE, Head constable

 

3rd of August 1869

The Sanitary Inspectors’ Report was read as follows:

TO THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF CHESTERFIELD

GENTLEMEN. I beg respectfully to inform you that during the past quarter I have inspected forty six nuisances as entered in the presentment and report books, most of which have been removed as soon as possible after official notices have been given, but there are a few cases ot yet remedied and to enforce which I shall take legal proceedings.

Since the last quarterly meeting the Sanitary Committee have held six meetings (the ordinary and three special) they have selected a very eligible and convenient site for the erection of slaughter houses, which was confirmed by the Council at a special meeting held on the 5th ult. Since then the plans have been approved, contracts entered into, and the work is progressing satisfactorily, ad will be completed in a few months, when slaughtering in the shambles and probably some other places will be discontinued.

I have the honour to be, Gentlemen

Your most obedient servant

JOSEPH FARNDALE, Sanitary Inspector

 

4 September 1869

In the Derbyshire Chronicle on 4 September 1869, there were a lot of articles relating to the “Black List” including:

 

John Andrew, Old Fountain In, applied for a renewal of his licence but was objected to by Chief Superintendent Farndale, on the ground that his spirit licence was stopped two years ago – Licence refused.

 

Thomas Gilliatt, Wheat Sheaf, Packer’s Row, Chief Superintendent Farndale said this applicant had been summoned for refusing the billet soldiers in August 1867. Granted.

 

John Silcock, Princes Concert Room, Wheeldon Lane was opposed by Chief Superintendent Farndale on the ground that he harboured improper characters. Evidence was given that the applicant harboured prostitutes and thieves. Refused.

 

John Spowage, Cross Keys, Knifesmith gate, was opposed by Chief Superintendent Farndale, on the ground that he had been convicted in 1868, and also that he harboured improper characters. Refused.

 

20 October 1869

Derbyshire Times, 20 October 1869

 

THE CHESTERFIELD POLCE FORCE. On Friday evening last, the Chesterfield Watch Committee, acting under the recommendation of Supt Farndale, raised the wages of each police officer 1s per week, so that third class constables begin at 19s, and the others proportionately. They also decided to give 1d per day extra for three years, and 2d per day etra for six years’ service, and as nearly the whole of the force have six years service in, they will receive the desired advantage. A merit class was also established so that for meritorious conduct an officer will be entitled to 1s per week extra.

 

20 November 1869

Derbyshire Times, 20 November 1869:

 

ROBBERY FROM THE PERSON. James Lory, Alfred Fod, ad Henry Briddon, three notorious characters, were charged with assaulting and stealing from the person of one Peter Parks, of Wingerworth, one leather purse and Ł1 7s 6d in Wheeldon lane on the 14th inst. Head constable Farndale said since the prisoners were apprehended he had discovered that the offence was committed in the county, and he must therefore ask the Mayor to discharge them. The prisoners were then discharged, and re apprehended by the county police.

 

11 December 1869

SAVAGE ASSAULT – About two o’clock on Tuesday morning, as Police constable Fryer, of the Chesterfield Borough Police, was going his rounds in St Mary’s gate he heard loud cries for assistance … Superintendent Farndale briefly narrated the facts of the case as given above and asked for a remand until Monday next which was granted.

 

(Salisbury and Winchester Journal)

 

18 December 1869

Derbyshire Courier, 18 December 1869:

 

THE NEW SLAUGHTER HOUSES

 

THE NEW SLAUGHTER HOUSES will be ready for use on and after January 1st 1870, and will be let at an annual rental of Ł7 each, rates and water included. Application to be made to:

Mr J Farndale, Sanitary Inspector

 

PUBLIC NOTICE

 

After the 31st December next ensuing, the Slaughtering of Animals will not be PERMITTED  to take place in the Shambles, situated in the borough of Chesterfield.

By the Order of the Sanitary Committee

Mr J Farndale, Sanitary Inspector.

 

25 December 1869

Derbyshire Times, 25 December 1869:

 

An extract of the evidence in the trial of William Connor, a labourer of Chesterfield who had been charged with cutting and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm in Church Walk, Chesterfield:

 

Prisoner: If you tell the truth about that knife (he was taking to another witness, John Smth), I gave your wife a gill of beer for it.

 

Superintendent Farndale: Then you don’t deny it was your knife?

 

Prisoner: No Sir.

 

Mr Bluett, surgeon: At about one o’clock o Sunday morning the prosecutor was brought into my surgery by Superintendent Farndale. He was bleeding from a wound in the left side. …

 

Early 1870

Derbyshire Courier, 8 January 1870

 

EXPOSING DISEASED MEAT FOR SALE

 

William Staple, a farmer of Aldwick, was charged with exposing 48 lbs of beef unfit for food of man in the market on 18 December 1869.

 

Head Constable Farndale said he bought the meat in question before the Mayor, and he ordered it to be destroyed. The defendant admitted that the beef was his.

 

 

Derbyshire Times, 22 January 1870

 

When two teenagers (13 and 12) were charged with stealing 5s from an old man, Superintendent Farndale gave evidence When the children were given into custody they said he had given them the money and wanted to take liberties with them. He did not lock them up but ordered them to come here this morning and make their statement.

 

 

 

Sheffield Daily Telegraph, 3 February 1870:

 

Superintendent Farndale was elected Inspector of Weights and Measures, at a salary of Ł25 per year, the appointment being until 9th November next.

 

In the same paper: The Sanitary Inspector. This report was read, and the Inspector tendered his resignation … Councillor Bdot was very sorry at the intimation. The matter was in good hands … Ald Black said the resignation was determined because of the increasing duties devolving on Superintendent Farndale under the separate commission … Councillor Oliver called attention to the inefficient arrangements in the new slaughter houses. The wheels and locks were not sufficiently good. Councillor JW Rooth said that before he came into the Council the contract was let, and the pattern of wheels taken from his. If they wanted them on a newer principle they must alter them. With his wheels he could draw a bullock up 500 tons (loud laughter).

 

Sheffield Independent, 3 February 1870:

 

INSPECTOR OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. The Town Clerk said that now the Lord Chancellor had appointed gentlemen to sit on the commission of the peace, it was necessary for them to appoint an inspector of weights and measures, and it had been stated that it would be more than satisfactory to give the officer a salary rather than a fee out of each prosecution. After a desultory discussion, Supt Farndale was appointed a t a salary of Ł25 a year.

 

 

Sheffield Independent, 5 February 1870:

 

The Factory Act. Mr. Superintendent Joseph Farndale was appointed inspector for the borough, in accordance with the provisions of the Factory Act.

 

 

 

The Derbyshire Courier, 5 February 1870:

 

THE HEAD CONSTABLE’S REPORT

Chief Superintendent’s Office

31st January 1870

 

TO THE MAYOR AND GENTLEMEN OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF CHESTERFIELD

 

GENTLEMEN, I beg to report that during the past quarter there has been a slight decrease in indictable offences as compared with the previous quarter of the previous year; but more than double the number of cases have been dealt with summarily.

The conduct of the officers and constables with two exceptions has been good, one having been discharged and the other reduced from second to third class constable.

I am, Gentlemen

Your most obedient servant

JOSH FARNDALE

 

At the same meeting, Joseph Farndale was appointed the Government Inspector under the Factories Act.

 

 

Derbyshire Times, 12 February 1870

 

In an extract from a published letter from a ratepayer to the town council:

 

They appoint Superintendent Farndale inspector of weights and measures at a salary of about Ł25 a year (about 1s a week), and, strange to say, in fixing his salary, nobody seems to have asked what time would be occupied by these duties, but simply what the fees would produce. I do ot know what salary is attached to this office of sanitary Inspector which the Superintendent gives up, but I doubt not the weights and measures at Ł25 a year is a much better thing. Please find out and tell us what the late Inspector got.

 

5 February 1870

Derbyshire Times and Chesterfield Herald, 26 February 1870 and repeated 2 March 1870: Borough of Chesterfield, Police Clothing. The WATCH COMMITTEE will receive tenders for 22 coats, 35 pairs of trousers, 26 pairs of boots and 13 helmets to be supplied not later than 1st May next. All Tenders are to be submitted before Saturday 5th March next. Joseph Farndale, Chief Constable.

 

 

Derbyshire Times, 8 October 1870

 

FIVE SHILLINGS REWARD

LOST on Friday evening, between St Helen’s I and Stonegravels Bar, a brown paper parcel containing two small account books and mechanical drawings. The articles are perfectly useful to anyone but the owner.

Apply to Supt FARNDALE Police Office, Chesterfield.

 

 

Derbyshire Times, 10 December 1870:

 

THE MEAT INSPECTOR. After a long discussion relative to the resignation of Mr Burton one of the Meat Inspectors, it was finally resolved that Supt Farndale officiate for the next three months.

 

By 1871

John Farndale the Younger was a quarry waggoner in Eskdaleside, living at Riggs Cottage, Sleights.

 

Joseph Farndale the Older was a carter of bricks at Brick Yard Lane, St Nicholas, York.

 

John Farndale Junior was a farm worker at Hunt House, Goathland.

 

Samuel Sanders Farndale was a farm worker with the Marshall family on Churchdale Farm, Egton.

 

William Farndale (born 1859), was a servant to the Styan family in Easingwold.

 

1871

Sarah Farndale, daughter of Joseph and Jane Farndale, was born in York. She died aged 1 in 1873.

22 April 1871

Sheffield Independent, 22 April 1871:

 

CHESTERFIELD. Bad Meat. John Arthur, New Square, was charged by Mr Superintendent Farndale, Sanitary Inspector, with being in possession of 24 lbs of pork, unfit for food

 

5 August 1871

Derbyshire Courier, 5 August 1871

 

THE HEAD CONSTABLE’S REPORT

 

Head Constable’s Office

1st August 1871

 

TO THE MAYOR AND GENTLEMEN OF THE CONCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF CHESTERFIELD

 

Gentlemen. I beg to state that since your last meeting the town has been free from offences of a serious nature; that the conduct of the offices and constables with one exception has been good, and they have been active in the discharge of their various duties. There has been a considerable decrease in indictable offences, as compared with the corresponding quarter of the previous year, and a slight increase in cases determined summarily.

 

I am, Gentlemen

Your Obedient Servant

J Farndale

Head Constable

 

30 August 1871

Daily Gazette for Middlesbrough, 30 August 1871:

 

PROMOTION OF A MIDDLESBOROUGH POLICEMAN. The friends of Inspector Farndale, who left Middlesborough two years ago to become chief constable of Chesterfield, will be glad to learn that he is one of two candidates selected by the watch Committee of Leicester, out of sixty candidates, to fill the office of chief constable of that important town. The applicant included a colonel and a captain in the army, and a detective inspector, the two selected being Inspector Farndale and Colonel Vivian. The appointment will be made at the next Council meeting. Mr Farndale joined the Middlesborough Police Force as a Private. 

 

16 December 1871

John Farndale, a labourer of Harper’s Yard, York, married Elizabeth Walker at the Register Office in York.

27 October 1871

Joseph Farndale was appointed Chief Constable of Leicester Police, a post which he held until 1882 (11 years).

 

APPOINTMENT OF MR FARNDALE. Mr Farndale, so highly respected while in the Middlesbrough Police Force, and to whose probable promotion we lately alluded – was elected on Tuesday by a large majority as Chief Superintendent of Leicester.

 

York Herald, 30 September 1871:

 

POLICE APPOINTMENT. On Wednesday, Mr Joseph Farndale, a native of Eskdaleside, and formerly a member of the North Riding police force, was elected head constable at Leicester by a considerable majority. Mr Farndale has been superintendent of police at Chesterfield.

 

 

Derbyshire Advertiser and Journal, 6 October 1871:

 

APPOINTMENT OF A CHIEF CONSTABLE FOR LEICESTER. The appointment if Chief Constable took place on Tuesday week, and resulted in the election oof Superintendent Farndale, of the Chesterfield Police.

 

Shortly after his appointment, on 19 December 1871, Leicester police ceased to be responsible for fire fighting and Leicester Borough Fire Brigade was created. In 1872, Joseph Farndale called for a change in image, replacing long frock coats with tunics, heavy rattles with a whistle and chain and high silk hats with lighter caps. He also introduced a probationary period of up to 5 weeks during which time a police officer required to prove his suitability for role. In 1878, sergeants of the Borough wrote to Joseph Farndale to complain about the practice of turning off street lights during summer months. He appears to have continued to live at Chesterfield.

 

20 January 1872

 

Leicester Chronicle, 20 January 1872:

 

A REPREHENSIBLE PRACTICE.  The thoughtless and dangerous practice of throwing orange peel on the causeways was commented upon by the mayor …  He called the attention of Head Constable Farndale to the circumstances and he hoped he would give instructions to his men to remove the orange peel from the footpaths whenever they saw it, and that persons would refrain from the culpable habit of endangering the limbs of their fellow creatures. With the aid of the police, and the cooperation of the more reflective portion of the public, it is hoped a check will be put upon this abominable nuisance.

 

20 April 1872

Leicester Chronicle, 20 April 1872:

 

INSPECTION OF THE COUNTY CONSTABULARY AND THE BOROUGH POLICE FORCE

 

On Wednesday last, the County Constabulary Force were inspected at the Corn Exchange by Colonel Cobb… At one o’clock the Borough Police Force assembled at the Corn Exchange for inspection under the command of the Head Constable (Mr Farndale)

 

30 May 1872

Thomas S Farndale, son of John and Susannah Farndale, was baptised at Goathland. Thomas married Sarah Sawdon in Loftus in 1910. He was an ironstone miner. He died in Loftus in 1938.

6 July 1872

Louisa Farndale, daughter of John and Elizabeth farndale, was born in York. She married Joseph John Day or Henry Archie Young in 1907 in Romford.

27 August 1872

Chichester Express and West Sussex Journal, 27 August 1872:

 

Leicester was also the scene of a serious disturbance on Saturday night. As eleven o’clock dew near a large concourse of persons had assembled at the Old Haymarket, the principal thoroughfare, and shortly afterwards the crowd was considerably augmented, until it numbered several thousands, buy those who had been turned out of the vaults &c in the neighbourhood. A large body of police, under the charge of Chief Constable Farndale, however, kept them moving for some time. At length one of the mob, named James Stevens, a shoe fisher, who was the worse for liquor, declined to move on and struck the police. He was at once taken into custody, when an attempt was made to rescue him. A large number of policemen then rushed to the aid of their comrade when some of the mb began to throw stones, which struck some of the police, one of whom was also struck with a ginger beer bottle. For a little time it appeared as though this slight skirmish would lead to serious consequences, but the police obtained complete power over their prisoner, and formed in line with their staves drawn at the end of the street. He was quickly conveyed up a bye street to the police station where he was charged with assaulting two of the officers. This coupled with the appearance of a reinforcement of police seemed to act as a deterrent, and the crowd became less dense and more scattered. A successful effort was then made to clear the streets, the spectators being driven before the police, with staves drawn, up the various thoroughfares, and by half past twelve the riot was suppressed.

 

Leicester Daily Post, 28 August 1872:

 

FIRE IN LEICESTER LAST NIGHT

 

About nine o’clock last night a fire which at one time threatened to be desolating in its effects, broke out in the shop of Messrs T Tacey & Sons, drapers &c, Granby Street.

 

Chief Constable Farndale was passing down the street a little before nine, and saw several persons standing, looking up at the windows above the shop, from which smoke was issuing. Seeing at once what was the matter he immediately despatched messengers to the Borough Fire Brigade, for Mr Tacey’s son, who lives in Leicester, and for Mr Tacey himself, who resides at Humberstone. The brigade was on the spot a few minutes afterwards, and the hose having been attached to the street main, was soon set to play upon the building.

 

The flames did not make their appearance till the door was forced open when they burst forth with a rather threatening aspect. Some fears were expressed regarding the safety of the adjoining property, but happily beyond that caused by the water in one of the upper rooms of the Swan Hotel, no other damage was done.

 

The efforts of the firemen were principally directed to the front shop, and the flames were quenched in a very short time. A ladder was laced against the window of the first storey, and an entrance effected there, but it appears the fire was wholly confined to the ground floor. The counters and several of the other fittings were completely burned, and the entire stock destroyed. We understand the loss is partially covered by insurance.

 

 

The Day’s Doings, 31 August 1872:

 

From the many manifestations of disapproval evidenced in Leicester during the past week by the issuing of a magisterial order requiring that all public houses be closed, in accordance with the provisions of the Licensing Act, by eleven o’clock at night, it was generally anticipated that Saturday night would have witnessed a very serious tumult.

 

Accordingly every precaution was adopted by the local authorities to guard against a disturbance, a considerable number of county police being drafted into the town and held in reserve, while all the available borough force was out on duty. In their efforts to preserve the peace, the magistrates were well aided by the publicans, most of whom, especially the occupiers of vaults, took the precaution of putting up their shutters by half past ten o'clock, and intimating to their customers the desirableness of withdrawing quietly at the appointed hour.

 

As eleven o’clock drew near a large concourse of persons had assembled at the Old Haymarket, the principal thoroughfare, and shortly afterwards the crowd was considerably augmented, until it numbered several thousands, by those who had been turned out of the vaults etc in the neighbourhood.

 

Most of these appear to have assembled out of sheer curiosity to see a ‘row’ which had been talked about, while others seemed evidently ready to join in a disturbance, if one were started, and began to assemble in groups, discussing and denouncing the new law.

 

A large body of police under the charge of Chief Constable Farndale, however, kept them from moving for some time, until at length a few of the more turbulent seemed determined to ‘make a stand’, which led to cheers from their partisans and groans from the police.

 

The later however acted with great forbearance, until at length one of the mob, named James Stevens, a shoe finisher, who was the worse for liquor, declined to move on, and struck one of the police. He was at once taken into custody, when an attempt was made to rescue him. A large number of policemen then rushed to the aid of their comrade, when the mob began to throw stones, which struck some of the police, one of whom was also struck with a ginger beer bottle. …

 

A successful effort was then made to clear the streets, the spectators being driven before the police, with staves drawn, up the various thoroughfares, when the large majority, evidently having seen enough, and being warned that they would have to take the consequences, deemed it discreet to retire, the town being perfectly quiet by half past twelve o’clock.

 

7 September 1872

John Farndale Junior, then a miner of Egton, married Susannah Smith of Pickering at the Parish Church, Egton.

18 September 1872

 

Leicester Guardian, 18 September 1872

 

At the Town Hall on Friday, the Mayor called the attention of Mr Farndale, the Chief Constable, to the practice of flying kites in the streets, and pointed out the danger of it both to foot passengers and those who were driving, as it was liable to frighten the horses. It had been complained of in the papers and otherwise. He had no wish to debar children from enjoying themselves, but that was not the way to do it. Mr Farndale said he had given instructions to the police to report all cases to the Local Board.

 

21 September 1872

A large number of various articles showing Chief Constable Farndale’s evidence in a lot of court cases is not reproduced here. For instance:

 

Leicester Daily Post, 21 September 1872:

 

THEFT. William Harper, on remand, was charged with stealing a shirt, the property of William Dalby, pawnbroker, Belgrave gate, on the 12th inst. The evidence has been published. Mr Farndale stated that there had been communication with the authorities at Brixton, and had found that the prisoner was on a ticket of leave, having been sentenced to seven years penal servitude for felony. He was committed to the sessions.

 

4 October 1872

Leicester Journal, 4 October 1872:

 

NOTTINGHAM NATIONAL DOG SHOW. … In the St Bernard’s (rough), Chief Constable Farndale is awarded second honours with his dog Pluto, aged 2 years and 4 months.

 

Leicester Chronicle, 5 October 1872

 

LEICESTER RACES

 

A posse of police under the superintendence of Head Constable Farndale, were engaged in the preservation of order at the course.

 

 

2 November 1872

Leicester Chronicle, 2 November 1872:

 

We have no lack of information certainly, concerning the doings and misdoings of the population of Leicester. The latest contribution to the public store of knowledge on this head has been supplied by Mr Farndale, the Head Constable, who has presented to the Chairman and Gentlemen of the Watch Committee of this borough the Annual Police Statistical Returns for the year ending Sept 29. …

 

 

Leicester Daily Post, 9 November 1872:

 

In a speech by the Mayor:

 

Nor must one forget Mr Farndale, for the efficiency he has shown in placing the cases before the magistrates had been beyond all praise. He believed Mr Farndale had the confidence of the whole bench, and that the force over which he had presided was now well disciplined and in efficient working order.

 

7 December 1872

Leicester Chronicle, 7 December 1872:

 

DISORDERLY. Two boys names Elijah and Thos Taylor were charged with being disorderly on Tuesday night … Head Constable Farndale said he had frequently had complaints about boys annoying the teachers at these schools, and had in consequence been obliged to send out men in plain clothes.

 

1873

Chief Constable Joseph Farndale formed the Leicester Borough Police brass band and over the succeeding years they gave concerts in the town’s public parks.

 

No photo description available.

 

 

Again there are multiple articles about Joseph Farndale and his evidence in multiple court cases during 1873 including:

 

Leicester Daily Post, 11 January 1873:

 

THE LEICESTER LIBEL CASE

THE ALDERMAN OF STONYGATE V A CAIN

 

… Arthur Cain was charged with publishing a certain malicious, slanderous libel, of and concerning Richard Harris and others….

 

Have you any particular reason for refusing to post a bill that had not the printer’s name on it? Yes because I was told by Mr Farndale not to post bills without the printer’s name on it.

Is it true that a great number of bills were circulated without the printer’s name? Yes.

When you were called up by Mr Farndale, what did he say to you? He said that there had been a deal of dissatisfaction about election bills being posted on corners of streets, about the town, and there were many complaints. He requested me ot to do it.

Did Mr Farndale threaten you if you posted the bills without the printer’s name? No, it was posting bills on streets without permission. I promised not to do it.

Did the unknown gentleman who asked you to post the “Blue Pill” offer you a sovereign to do it? Yes …

 

… What was the cause of the alleged libellous bill appearing at all. It was because of this “Blue Pill”, and it was published after the billposters had been called to the Town Hall by Mr Farndale, and told that if they continued to go on positing bills without the printer’s name, cognisance would be taken of it,…

 

 

 

Leicester Daily Post, 13 February 1873:

 

DINNER TO THE LEICESTER BOROUGH FORCE. As proof if their appreciation of the zeal, energy, and efficiency which characterises the borough constabulary, a few of the leading citizens of Leicester entertained the members of the force at a dinner, which took place in the Fish and Quart Inn, on Tuesday, and yesterday. … The event on this occasion had a special feature of interest attached to it, inasmuch as the chief of the force – Mr Farndale – presided, and he, giving the usual loyal and patriotic toasts, in the course of his remarks complimented the members very highly on the successful efficiency of the force. He expressed the feeling of pleasure which it afforded him to be able to congratulate them on the fact that in point of energy and ability, they were second to none, and were a credit to the town. The toast of success to the town and trade of Leicester was drunk with the utmost enthusiasm, and numerous personal toasts, including the health of Mr Farndale, were equally well received, and heartily responded to. The company sat till a late hour in the evening on each occasion, and the mutual harmony of the meetings were pleasantly interspersed with songs. A number of the Town Councillors, and others, were present.

 

 

Leicester Daily Post, 3 March 1873:

 

THE FLOOD SCHEME

 

The article related to a Report of the Highway and Sewerage Committee on the best means of preventing a recurrence of floods to which the town is subjected in the neighbourhood of the river.

 

MR ELLIS  then moved the adoption of the second part of the Highway and Sewerage Committee’s Report. He explained the amount of inconvenience which was necessitated by policemen having to apply to the Committee before prosecuting cases of a frivolous nature, and said that the matter occupied the attention of the Chief Constable for some time. He also referred to the extent to which the solicitation of prostitution was being carried on in the town, and said it was getting almost intolerable. Mr Farndale had sent out a man to apprehend offenders, but nothing could be done until the case had been before the Highways Committee and by that time the prostitute charged had generally left the town for a time. Half of the time of the Committee was occupied in investigating these cases. Mr Farndale had written to twenty of the largest towns in the kingdom, and in every case prosecution was effected without the authority of the Highways Committee.

 

 

Leicester Daily Post, 2 April 1873:

 

THE PRINCE OF WALES AT LEICESTER STATION. His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales, who is now on a visit to Lord Carrington, at Melton Mowbray, passed through Leicester Station, last evening, en route to that place … a considerable number of persons, including not a few ladies, had assembled to see His Royal Highness, and Mr Farndale, the Chief Constable, had a detachment of police on the spot to maintain order. The Prince, who was attired in a light suit and deerstalker hat, and was smoking a cigar, was greeted with cheers when the train arrived. …

 

 

Leicester Daily Post, 17 April 1873:

 

THE RETIREMENT OF MR PAGET FROM THE MAGISTERIAL CLERKSHIP

 

  Mr FARNDALE also took the opportunity of acknowledging the many kindnesses he had received from Mr Paget. He (Mr Farndale) had been in the police service for about twelve years, and during that time had been connected with many police courts, and had to work with many magistrate’s clerks, but from none of them had he received more kindness and assistance than from Mr Paget. He was sure he spoke the feelings of every member of the force when he expressed regret at his leaving, and hoped he might live long to enjoy that quiet and happiness to which his long service had so well entitled him.

 

MR PAGET, who was almost inaudible, said the expressions of confidence which one and all had uttered had been extremely gratifying to him … He could not sit down without returning his thanks to Mr Farndale and the police for their kindness

 

 

Northern Echo, 17 May 1873

 

PRESENTATION TO THE CHIEF CONSTABLE OF MIDDLESBROUGH

 

In a speech by Edward Saggerson, their Chief Constable:

 

With regard to the men who have served here, Superintendent Farndale, Inspector Horne, Mr Hopper, workhouse master, and others. We cannot all rise to better positions, but still there is not a man in the force but may improve his position, promotion is always to be obtained by good conduct and energy

 

Leicester Daily Post, 19 July 1873

 

LEICESTER BOROUGH POLICE V COVENTRY CITY POLICE. A match between eleven men of Leicester Borough Constabulary and a like number of Coventry City Force, was played on the Bull Fields Ground, Coventry, yesterday, and resulted in a glorious victory for the Leicester team. The Leicester men left at 8am for Coventry, accompanied by their respected Chief, Mr Farndale.

 

 

Leicester Daily Post, 1 August 1873:

 

LEICESTER BOROUGH POLICE ANNUAL HOLIDAY:

 

When the first lot had done justice to the good things provided, the second party partook of a similar repast. The afternoon was spent in the most enjoyable manner, Mr Farndale, who arrived at the Park about two o’clock, and Rev AA Isaacs, doing what they could to add to the pleasure of the men and their fair companions. After an excellent tea, the company adjourned to the green, and the remainder of the evening passed in singing, dancing etc, the band of course, tending considerably to enliven the proceedings. Before starting on the return journey at eight o’clock, Mr Farndale, in a few appropriate remarks, returned the thanks to Mr Isaacs on behalf of the men, stating how much they appreciate and valued his kindness. Mr Isaacs suitably replied, remarking that the day had been one of the most pleasant in the whole year to him. He was very glad to see Mr and Mrs Farndale present, as it had been the first occasion on which the chief had accompanied the men …

 

 

Leicester Daily Post, 9 August 1873

 

Now that the plans have been accepted for the new Municipal Buildings, and everything seems in a fair way for operations being commenced, people in the town, who will have to find the where with all, are beginning to grumble and ask what advantage the erection will be to the general public when finished? True it is that the civic rulers may have a chance of “reclining on velvet lining, with sunlight floating o’er” instead of the hard cane bottomed chairs with which they have now to be content. The local bench will then dispense justice in a place consistent with their dignity; Mr Farndale will have a residence befitting his position; and all his subordinates in any way connected with the conduct of town affairs will be able to discharge their duties with more satisfaction to the public and comfort to themselves. This is all as it should be, and there are very few ratepayers who begrudge it

 

Leicester Daily Post, 20 September 1873:

 

RAID UPON ALLEGED BETTING MEN IN LEICESTER

 

Mr Farndale said that morning under warrant, he entered the house of Thomas Oakey Potter, known as the Admiral Nelson, in Humberstone Gate, and found the landlord and the other five defendants in the bar. Inspectors Hickinbottom and Langdale accompanied him, and he told them to search the defendant Potter’s house. The officers were now present, with books and papers relating to betting which had been found upon the defendants.

 

Leicester Daily Post, 8 November 1873:

 

THE RETIRING MAYOR OF LEICESTER:

 

… The Mayor: … Mr Farndale, the Chief of Police, has always been at his post here and done his duty in the most admirable manner, and has been well up in those cases he has had to bring before us. We are much indebted to those officers for the manner in which they have discharged their duties. It is a gratification to find from Mr Farndale’s report – and a very excellent report it is – that there has been a decrease in the number of cases of drunkenness before the court

 

21 June 1874

Mary Farndale, daughter of John and Susannah Farndale, was baptised at Goathland. She married Fredercik Spencely in Egton in 1899.

12 August 1874

John Farndale was buried at Eskdaleside.

5 November 1874

Mary Emily Farndale, daughter of John and Elizabeth farndale, was born in York. Mary Emily Farndale, 22, married William Ernest Hitchcock, 23, a lithographic artist in 1896 in York. Mary Hitchcock died, aged 79, in 1953 in Shardlow, Derbyshire.

 

1874

John Farndale, husband of Elizabeth, died in York.

 

Leicester Guardian, 25 February 1874:

 

ANNIVERSARY DINNER OF THE LEICESTER POLICE FORCE

 

Inspector Newell spoke … They had many privileges since Mr Farndale had been in their midst, which they did not previously enjoy. In fact before Mr Farndale came, he had only had one Sunday in 22 years, and the last was when he went to the Dublin Exhibition in 1851, but now he had one every month. He had therefore great pleasure in proposing the health of Mr Farndale – the toast was drunk with enthusiasm, the band playing “For he’s a jolly good fellow.”

Tune by the Band: “We’ll run ‘em in” which was received with applause.

MR FARNDALE:, in responding, said he begged to tender his heartfelt thanks for the kind manner in which they had drunk his health. Hr felt that the proposer had said a great deal more of him than he was entitled. He might say however that since he had been there he had endeavoured to do his duty to the best of his ability, both to the public and to the force, and judging from the way they had received the toast, he might fairly conclude that he had, to some extent, succeeded with them.

 

Leicester Guardian, 6 May 1874:

 

THE LATE ALD ELLIS. The funeral took place on Thursday morning, at the cemetery… About thirty members of the Borough Police Force, under the direction of Chief Constable Farndale, assembled a guard of honour, being stationed on either side of the principal carriage roads on the Cemetery.

 

Leicester Daily Post, 14 November 1874:

 

WATCH COMMITTEE

 

The Watch Committee beg to report that, having received an application from the Chief Constable for an increase in his salary, they directed information to be procured from the town clerks of all boroughs with a population of from 50,000 to 150,000 in habitants as to the amount of direct and indirect salary paid to their chief of police, and having regard to the information received, and also the very satisfactory manner in which Mr Farndale performs the duties of his office, they recommend the Council increase his salary from Ł250 to Ł350 per annum….

 

Now, in regard to Mr Farndale, they had in him a most valuable officer …

 

 

… and it was the unanimous opinion of the profession that Mr Farndale was most deserving of the increase proposed …

 

Since the appointment of Mr Farndale the borough had increased and, he was happy to say, was increasing daily, and almost hourly around them. … He was sure it was the opinion of all present that Mr Farndale was, in every sense, a truly efficient officer, and the duties that were cast upon him in the investigation of crime and the brining of criminals to justice was indeed a very serious matter, and he thought that if they were to look through all the towns of England they would not find a more truly efficient person than Mr Farndale. He could tell them candidly that Mr Farndale’s knowledge of the duties, not only of his office, but his general knowledge of the criminal law, and the rules of evidence, and what was necessary in order to establish a case, was, he might almost say,. Perfect – equal to that of a professional man.

 

 

Leicester Chronicle, 31 October 1874

 

In a letter to the Editor complaining about Councillor Neale:

 

… Is it true, also, that in a committee of the Council last week, he voted for an advance of Ł100 upon the present high salary of Mr Farndale? Unless he satisfactorily answers these questions, of grave importance to myself and fellow rate payers, I, for one, shall strenuously oppose the election of a man who allows his private interest to dictate such a squandering of public money. Awaiting an immediate answer.

I beg to subscribe myself

A Burgess.

 

 

 

Leicester Chronicle, 14 November 1874:

 

 

 

1875

Joseph Farndale the Older died, aged 50.

 

 

Leicester Chronicle, 2 January 1875

 

There are one or two instructive features in connection with the criminal returns for the past year which are apt to be overlooked inasmuch as they can only be perceived by contrasting the details of Head Constable Farndale’s returns for the past year with those of his predecessor

 

 

Leicester Chronicle, 20 February 1875

 

DISASTROUS FIRE IN LEICESTER

 

The large factory of Messrs Hands and Scampton, in Heanor Street, which was destroyed by fire about five years ago, and reconstructed, was burnt to the ground on Wednesday and damage committed to the extent of about Ł8,000. … A posse of police under Head Constable Farndale proved of considerable service in keeping back an eager crowd, and so facilitating the operations of the brigades.

 

 

Leicester Journal, 26 February 1875:

 

TOWN TALK AND STREET ECHOES

 

The Inspector makes one suggestion which we trust the Town Council will see its way clear to adopt. The same suggestion had been previously made by Chief Constable Farndale, and is one which it is highly essential should be speedily carried out. We refer to the establishment in various localities of divisional station houses, so that the constables may not be taken off their beats so far as to the central police station on every apprehension.

 

Hinckley News, 15 May 1875

 

In an article about poor quality meat … The meat was destroyed; part of it was given to Mr Farndale’s dog, and three quarters and the head he saw boiled up for the pigs of Mr Gibbs

 

 

Leicester Journal, 11 June 1875

 

Chief Constable Farndale is very desirous to have branch stations, but for some unexplained cause the Council hesitates to comply with his wish. When a police officer is severely injured in the discharge of his duty, then we suppose something in this direction will be done, but until then our sluggish Corporation prefers to wait.

 

 

Leicester Chronicle, 2 October 1875

 

ALARMING PETROLEUM EXPLOSION IN LEICESTER

 

A petty quarrel, but one of serious interest to the public, came before the Leicester Magistrates at the Town Hall on Friday. According to the statements of the Head Constable (Mr Farndale) and the parties, it appears that a few days ago Councillor Wilford gave an order to a London firm for four large casks of petroleum, which were to be sent via the Grand Junction Canal to Leicester, where, it seems, Mr Wilford expected they would be stored by the company. The highly explosive materials arrived in due course, and were tendered to Mr Wilford on Thursday, but he refused delivery, the law forbidding that such large quantities of so dangerous a liquid should be kept in a populous part. The drayman knowing the nature of the consignment, refused to take back the casks, and deposited them in the street. The agent of the Canal Company called upon Mr Wilford, ad offered to send the goods back to London, provided he gave a re-consignment note, remarking that he was prevented from storing the goods by the same law that affected Mr Wilford. This Mr Wilford refused to do until he had communicated with the firm in London of whom he had ordered the petroleum. Meanwhile Mr Farndale had his attention called to the obstruction in the street, and warned the parties to appear before the magistrates, and they accordingly did so, after the safety of those in the neighbourhood had been in danger for a considerable time. The parties, setting upon the advice of the magistrates agreed – Mr Wilford to give a re-consignment note, and the other to have the casks removed by one o’clock that day. The matter appeared to end there, but it seems that the parties had only agreed to differ; for it is said that on the company calling for the casks Mr Wilford refused to allow one of his men to assist in loading them, and the drayman went off and left them in the street. Any man might, while lighting his pipe, throw an ignited match on the barrels which now lie in St Nicholas square, and the result be a disastrous explosion, such as has never been witnessed in Leicester, and equal to that which occurred a short time ago, from the same substance, on the Regent’s Canal.

 

 

Leicester Chronicle, 25 December 1875:

 

CHRISTMAS. Head Constable Farndale, with a view to maintaining order in the streets of the borough on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning, has issued a handbill stating that the police have received instructions to take proceedings against persons behaving in a disorderly manner at the times specified.

 

28 February 1876

John William Farndale, son of John and Susannah Farndale, was born at Egton.

 

Leicester Chronicle, 6 May 1876:

 

 

 

 

Leicester Chronicle, 27 May 1876

 

In a letter to the editor regarding the use of handcuffs:

 

When my sentence was passed, I respectfully requested the magistrates to permit me to be taken direct to prison. Instead I was kept for four hours in one of those beastly cells at the police station.  On my release I asked Mr Farndale why I was handcuffed, and he replied that all convicted prisoners are handcuffed, and that as he had no special instructions in my case I was necessarily treated as any other convicted prisoner would be. My opinion is that the odium rests with the magistrates, though I can hardly reconcile Mr Farndale’s statement with the fact that even convicted prisoners have been (to my knowledge) sometimes removed unmanacled – even as lately as a week last Wednesday.

I remain, dear Sir,

Yours respectfully

ONE OF THE PRISONERS

Leicester, May 24th, 1876

 

Leicester Chronicle, 29 July 1876:

 

 

 

Leicester Daily Mercury, 7 August 1876

 

At the opening of the new town hall:

 

 

 

1877

Rutland Echo and Leicestershire Advertiser, 8 June 1877:

 

Leicester Journal, 31 August 1877

THE TRAFFIC IN ITALIAN CHILDREN.

Mr Blunt then addressed the Bench, and said it would hardly be necessary for him to enter into the legal question, as Mr Farndale, the Chief Constable had already received a communication from Mr Crowe on the subject

Leicester Journal, 16 November 1877:

Leicester Journal, 28 December 1877:

THE LATE ASSAULT OF A WIFE. DEATH OF THE VICTIM

On Friday evening, last week, between five and six o’clock, Mr Hetley, house surgeon at the Infirmary, intimated to the police authorities that a considerable change for the worse had taken place in the condition of Mrs White, who had been severely burned through her husband throwing a lamp at her on Saturday night last. Mr Farndale at once sent a cab for Mr W Rowlett JP and another for Mr Blackwell, the magistrate’s clerk, in order that depositions of the woman might be taken, and the husband of the woman was also conveyed to the Infirmary so that he might be present

 

21 December 1877

(York Herald, 21 December 1877)                                          (Leeds Mercury)                                                                                                             (Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer)

 

27 January 1878

Sarah Ann Farndale, daughter of John and Susannah Farndale, was baptised in Goathland. She married John Thomas Elliott in Whitby in 1902 and they had three children. John Elliott was an ironstone miner. She died aged 56 and was buried on 11 July 1934 in Loftus Cemetery.

 

 

18 March 1878:

 

 

Hinckley News, 11 May 1878:

 

 

Leicester Chronicle, 1 June 1878:

 

Leicester is about to become a place of some little importance, through having been chosen as the most fitting place in the midland counties for a military centre. As many military gentlemen with their families will thus soon settle down in our midst, and as we have also the attraction of the Leicestershire hunting grounds, I think the time has arrived when Leicester might be supplied with a corps of commissionaires. It might be organised under the same rules and regulations as those in force in London, and other large towns, and even in Nottingham, where they have been established for some time. Our Head Constable, Mr Farndale. Whose influence is felt and appreciated, could act as its chief, and under his careful supervision some useful and trustworthy men could be brought together and employed by the public

 

Leicester Journal, 12 July 1878:

 

REMOVAL OF PRISONERS

 

The MAYOR read a recommendation from the Borough Justices that Mr Farndale be allowed Ł1 a week on his undertaking to make all necessary arrangements for the removal of prisoners to and from the Gaol. … Mr Farndale was responsible to the magistrates for the conveyance of the prisoners to the gaol, and he had made arrangements with Colonel Milman to allow him the use of the county van, the borough van being in a dilapidated state … It was the business of the magistrates to see that the prisoners were conveyed to the gaol, and Mr Farndale, as their servant, was responsible for this being done … Ald Paget said Mr Farndale was undoubtedly the best man to whom the management of this plan could be intrusted. He did not see why it might not be left in his hands, allowing him to charge the Council for the horse, the van, and the driver, so he might command their services from time to time. They would not wish that Mr Farndale should lose anything by this duty, neither was it desirable that it should be made a source of profit to him. … The MAYOR in replying said Mr Farndale would buy the horse and keep it … The Justices considered this would be an economic arrangement, and he was quite certain that Mr Farndale would gain nothing from it.

 

28 June 1879

Sarah Ann Farndale, daughter of Samuel Sanders and Mary Farndale, was baptised at Egton. Sarah married Charles Dale in the Guisborough area in 1900. They had five children. Charles Dale was an ironstone miner. By 1939, he was an ironstone miner deputy. Sarah Ann Dale died aged 84 and was buried on 7 August 1964 in Loftus.

 

 

Leicester Daily Mercury, 15 August 1879:


Leicester Police Holiday. On Thursday the members of the Borough Police force held their annual holiday at Great Glenn, the residence of the mayor. The band of the force proceeded by the conveyance, and a portion of the men went by the 9.30am train, another section following by the afternoon train. A substantial lunch having been partaken of, a cricket match was played between the Police Force and a team from Great Glenn., resulting in a victory for the former. … the party, which was subsequently joined by Mr Joseph Farndale, the Chief Constable.

 

Derbyshire Times, 4 October 1879:

 

 

Leicester Journal, 19 September 1879:

 

 

 

 



Leicester Chronicle, 6 December 1879


Shocking accident at Groby Pool
A Young lady drowned.
On Tuesday afternoon, a shocking incident occurred at Groby pool, by which a young lady lost her life, and several other persons had a narrow escape.
[At the inquest] the following evidence was given:- Joseph Farndale: I am Chief Constable of the Borough of Leicester. I knew the deceased; she was the daughter of William John Bruis, of Leicester, shoe maker; she was 19 years old
.”


 

1880

William Farndale (born 1859) married Mary Jane Peacock.

29 May 1880

Samuel Sanders Farndale marred Mary Hogarth at the Parish Church, Egton.

12 June 1880

The Leicester Borough Police have a capital institution, to wit, an annual dinner, and at this attends the Mayor and many members of the Corporation who show their appreciation of that which in too many instances is a much abused body. But my principal object in drawing attention to the fact is that the chief constable of the large borough mentioned is Mr Joseph Farndale, who will be pleasurably remembered as head of the staff of police in Chesterfield some years back, whence he went to Leicester, receiving the appointment above the heads of a large number of candidates. On the occasion of this dinner a most interesting presentation was made to Mr Farndale by chief constables who had served under him. The presentation consisted of a paid of handsome bronze ornaments, on one of which was inscribed the following: “Presented to Joseph Farndale, Esq., Chief Constable of the Borough of Leicester, as a memento of the esteem and gratitude felt by the subscribers, all of whom have had the privilege of serving under him.” The subscribers were Mr G Windle, chief constable of Hanley; Mr G Mercer, chief constable of Colchester, both of whom were members of the Chesterfield Police; Mr C Pole, chief constable of Halifax; Mr D Preston, chief constable of Banbury; Mr J Wilkinson, chief constable of Kendal; Mr J Pemberton, chief constable of Grantham; and Mr C Clarkson, chief constable of Wakefield. (Derbyshire and Chesterfield Herald).

 

17 July 1880

(Leicester Chronicle)

 

31 July 1880

Derbyshire Times, 31 July 1880:

 

MR FARNDALE. At a meeting of the Leicester Town Council on Tuesday last, the Watch Committee recommended that the salary of Mr Farndale, Chief Constable of that borough be raised from Ł350 to Ł450 per annum, there having been no increase for five and a half years. In the discussion on the report Mr Farndale’s services were highly spoken of, and the proposition was carried unanimously. Mr Farndale will be remembered well in Chesterfield, where je held the appointment of Chief Constable, and we congratulate him, as we are sure all who know him will, upon his successful career in the larger town of Leicester.

 

By 1881

John Farndale Junior was a farm worker now living with his family at Hunt House, Goathland.

 

Samuel Sanders Farndale was an ironstone miner living with his father in law, a farmer of 25 acres, in Egton.

 

William Farndale (born 1859) was a goods porter, and also a Methodist local preacher in York.

 

Henry Farndale, aged 21, shown in a long list residing at the workhouse at York. He was a brickmaker.

 

John William Farndale, son of Joseph Farndale (the Chief Constable) and Jane Farndale, was a medical student at Kings Norton in Warwickshire.

 

 

Leicester Daily Mercury, 8 January 1881

 

The Public Park in the Abbey Meadow is now being rapidly proceeded with. A contract for the supply of some 16,000 trees has been entered into, and they are being brought to the spot, ready for planting. I hope Mr Farndale will also plant some bobbies thee, to take care of them, because there’s a good many new houses being built in the neighbourhood, with gardens which require shrubbing.

 

Leicester Chronicle, 15 January 1881

 

In a letter to the editor:

 

Sir. Who would be a magistrate, and who would be a “bobby”?. The writer has no special leaning to either, but is fully alive to the fact that there are magistrates and there are magistrates and there are policemen and there are policemen. … Many times have I heard from the temperance platform, and in a variety of ways, both magistrates, superintendent and police condemned in o measured terms for not assisting to put down drunkenness; and often it has occurred to me that such was the case.. .. Mr Farndale is informed that “casual customers”, or plainer still, casual drunkards, must not be interfered with unless they (the police) have by some mysterious process informed Sampson that the “lion” has already had enough. What nonsense! What would Mr Publican say to a policeman who should thus act? Why, he would tell him to go and mind his business, and serve him right. There is just as much sense, Mr Editor, in Mr Farndale, knowing a rat put, betting house etc, to exist in a certain locality, in order to catch offenders, sending to London for a detective; but prior to his arrival orders one of his Leicester men round the rat pit etc to say what he has done, so they had better look out. When would the evil doers be caught? Let Mr Mereweather answer.

 

Leicester Journal, 11 March 1881:

 

ANNUAL DINNER OF THE BOROUGH FIRE BRIGADE

 

[Superintendent Johnson] proposed “The Health of the Police Force” with which he associated the name of Head constable Farndale. He did not think there was any other town where the police force was better conducted than in Leicester. The police had to assist the fire brigade in cases of fire, or they would be utterly powerless. He felt grateful to the members of the police for the services they had rendered to the brigade (hear, hear).

 

Head constable FARNDALE in responding said he was glad to know that Supt Jonson found no jar between the police and the fire brigade (hear, hear). It was well that the two bodies should work together in harmony.

 

 

Hinckley News, 19 March 1881

 

Henry James, a well dressed young man, giving his address as the Temperance Hotel, Moore-street, Birmingham, was charged with stealing a purse from the person of Mrs Susannah Longland, a widow … Mr Farndale informed the Bench that the accused had already undergone a term of six weeks imprisonment for pocket picking – Sentenced to three months’ hard labour.

 

 

Nottingham Evening Post, 1 July 1881:

 

As a fitting conclusion to yesterday’s proceedings a display of fireworks by Mr Pain, of London, whose entertainments are ow so well known and appreciated by the Nottingham public, took place upon the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, last evening … The police arrangements of the day were of a successful character … Mr J Farndale, the chief constable of Leicester, had under his command 40 men from the Leicester borough police force.

 

(Leicester Journal, 14 October 1881)

 

 

 

 

24 September 1881

William Edward Farndale, son of William Farndale (born 1859) and Mary Farndale, was born in York. He would become Rev Dr William Edward Farndale, a leading Methodist. He married Florence May Price in 1910 and they had a daughter and a son. He was Founder of the William Line.

 

Born at York in 1881, he entered the Primitive Methodist ministry in 1904 after training at Hartley College. He travelled in the following circuits: Forest Hill (London), Oldham II, Chester-le-Street, Birkenhead Il and Grimsby II. In 1933 after the coming of Union he was appointed District Missionary and Chairman of the Lincoln and Grimsby District, a task which occupied the remaining nineteen years of his active ministry. As President of the Conference in 1947 he sounded the Call of the Countryside and launched a “Back to the Soil” campaign. The whole Church then saw the secret of his authoritative leadership in the Lincolnshire area, where his administrative gifts were matched by pastoral care and a love for country Methodism and the farming community. He always came to grips with contemporary affairs and applied the gospel to them. His ministry at Birkenhead during the decade following the end of the First World War illustrated this vividly. His incisive preaching both within the churches and in the open air was a counter to post-war disillusion and, later, to the demoralising effects of unemployment, During his Presidency he attended the Methodist Ecumenical Conference in Springfield, Massachusetts, U.S.A., and went as a visiting preacher to the United Church of Canada, during which time he received from Victoria University, Toronto, the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity. He was a convinced Free-churchman, as his published writings testify, and was in his element in 1950-51 as the Moderator of the Free Church Council. On his retirement from the active ministry in 1952 he became a tutor at Cliff College, where his biblical scholarship was placed at the service of many grateful students. Then came the years of physical infirmity which only served to throw into greater relief his indomitable spirit. He remained an omnivorous reader and kept abreast of current affairs, always (to quote his own words) ‘‘seeking  recourse to the Head of the Church through prayer”, and was ever ready with his characteristic friendly counsel to assist and encourage ministers and laymen alike. His spare figure and twinkling but penetrating glance will long be remembered by many who found wisdom and grace in his presence. His mind was clear and active and his spirit buoyant until the time of his death on 4 February 1966, in the eighty-fourth year of his age and the sixty-first of his ministry.

 

Farndale, William Edward D.D. (1881-1966)

William Edward Farndale

 

20 February 1882

Harry Farndale, son of John and Susannah Farndale, was baptised at Loftus. He was an agricultural labourer in Goathland and Boosbeck. He died on 4 August 1918 and is buried in East Loftus Cemetery.

Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser, 25 January 1882:

 

Mr Joseph Farndale, Chief Constable of Leicester, has been appointed chief superintendent of the Birmingham Police Force, at a salary of Ł700 per annum.

 

Gloucester Citizen 25 January 1882

 

The Birmingham Watch Committee have appointed Mr Joseph Farndale, Chief Constable of Leicester, to the vacant post of Chief Superintendent of the Birmingham Police Force, at a salary of Ł700 per annum. The other four selected candidates were Captain Orr, of Greenock; Mr Clarkson, Chief Constable of Wakefield; Mr Catbush, Chief Inspector of the Metropolitan Police; and Mr Jervis, Chief Constable of Blackburn.

 

Banbury Advertiser, 26 January 1882:

 

APPOINTMENT OF A CHIEF OF POLICE FOR BIRMINGHAM.

 

The five candidates were … Joseph Farndale, aged 37 years, chief constable of Leicester … with the final result that, though all five candidates were considered extremely good men, Mr J Farndale was unanimously elected, on the motion of the Chairman … Mr Farndale was seven years in Middlesbrough police force; for two and a half years he was chief constable for Chesterfield, and he has held his appointment as chief constable for Leicester for over ten years. Mr Farndale’s salary was twice increased since his appointment as chief constable of Leicester, each time by Ł100, in addition to which an annual allowance of Ł52 for the expense of a horse was grated to him, bring the value of his office up to about Ł600 per annum. The salary attached to the chief of police of Birmingham is Ł700, without allowances of any kind.

 

Derbyshire and Chesterfield Herald, 28 January 1882

 

I am pleased to note that Chief Constable Joseph Farndale, who was for some years the head of the Chesterfield Borough Police Force, and who has since filled the important office of Chief Constable of the Borough of Leicester, has been appointed to the high position of Chief Constable of Birmingham. The post was vacant by the resignation of Major Bond. Mr Farndale’s salary will be Ł700 a year in his new position. He has had a remarkably successful career as a police officer, but has always won golden opinions from all with whom he has come into contact. Mr Farndale succeeded at Chesterfield Mr Samuel Stevens who has just been appointed Chief Constable of Nottingham. Mr Farndale was one of five candidates out of a large number, the others being Captain Orr, of Greenock, Mr Clarkson, CC of Wakefield, Mr Catbush, chief inspector of Metropolitan police force and Mr Jervis, CC of Blackburn.

 

Burnley Express, 28 January 1882

 

Mr Joseph Farndale, Chief Constable of Leicester, has been appointed chief superintendent of the Birmingham Police Force, at a salary of Ł700 per annum.

 

Pateley Bridge and Nidderdale Herald, 28 January 1882:

 

Mr J Farndale, a native of Whitby, and for many years connected with the Middlesbro’ police force, has been appointed Chief Constable of Birmingham, with a salary of Ł700 a year.

 

Leicester Chronicle, 18 February 1882

 

PRESENTATION OF AN ADDRESS TO THE LATE CHIEF CONSTABLE

 

Mr Farndale left Leicester this morning to enter on his duties as Chief Constable of Birmingham. As a token of regard and esteem, the officers and constables of the Borough Force last night presented him with an address, beautifully illuminated on vellum, and enclosed in a handsome frame …

 

A lengthy article follows including the address.

 

Mr FARNDALE, who was evidently affected by the reading of the address, thanked the officers and constables for the beautiful present. His leaving Leicester was a subject upon which he could not trust himself to speak, but he might say, after the many substantial marks of respect which he had received from members of the Force, he never anticipated being presented with this beautiful address, which had just been handed to him. He thanked them all. (Applause).

 

Birmingham Daily Post, 17 March 1882

 

The Chief Constable of Birmingham, Joseph Farndale, was yesterday presented with a silver salver and Ł200 by the Mayor of Leicester and the Crown Court in the presence of a large number of * and chiefs of police of Coventry, Rochdale, Grantham, Banbury and Leicester. The Mayor said Birmingham had gained a most worthy chief, who left Leicester with the esteem of the whole community.

 

Leicester Chronicle, 18 March 1882

 

PRESENTATION TO MR FARNDALE

 

An interesting ceremony took place at the Crown Court at the Town Hall on Thursday where Mr J Farndale, late chief constable of Leicester, and now of Birmingham, was presented with a token of respect and esteem by his numerous friends in this town …

 

A lengthy article follows. He was presented with a silver salver. Many words were said and Joseph Farndale made a reply at length.

 

There followed an article about the Leicester Borough Police annual dinner at which Joseph Farndale also spoke at length.

 

Reading Mercury, 25 March 1882

 

The chief constable of Birmingham, Mr Joseph Farndale, late of Leicester, was last week presented with a magnificent silver salver and Ł200, by the Mayor of Leicester.

 

South Wales Daily News, 21 April 1882

 

THE NEXT OF KIN FRAUDS. ARREST OF THE BIMRINGHAM MANAGER

 

BIRMNGHAM, Thursday. E Beeton, described s the manager of the Birmingham offices of the International Law Agency, was arrested this afternoon at the Fighting Cocks Hotel, Moseley, near Birmingham. The warrants for the arrest were not issued until this afternoon owing to the necessary warrants not having previously been complied with. Immediately after the exposure of the frauds in the press, and it becoming known that in all probability a warrant would be issued for the arrest of Beeton, the detectives, by order of Mr Farndale, chief of police, kept their eye on the whereabouts of the alleged conspirator

 

Dundee Evening Telegraph, 10 May 1882

 

Seditious Utterances by a Constable – The new Chief Constable of Birmingham, Mr Joseph Farndale, who has taken the place of Major Bond, has just made a sharp example of an indiscreet member of the force who had been heard to express sympathy with the perpetrators of the recent outrages in Ireland. The constable, who is a young Irishman, and had not long joined the force, used disloyal words in the presence of some of his colleagues, and the matter was immediately laid before the Chief Constable. The office was reported, and his explanation not being deemed satisfactory, he was called upon to resign. This is the first case of the kind that has ever happened in the Birmingham police force. The prompt action of the chief of police has met with general approval, though the severity of the measure appears to have taken the indiscreet officer completely by surprise.

 

Western Gazette, 19 May 1882:

 

DISMISSAL OF A DISLOYAL POLCEMAN. An example has just been made by the Chief Constable of Birmingham, Mr Farndale, of a disloyal member of the borough force. The constable, who is a young Irishman, and who has only lately joined the force, expressed sympathy with the perpetrators of some of the outrages in Ireland, and said to one of his collages a few weeks ago, that if he knew who had murdered Mr Herbert and Mrs Smythe, both of whom have recently been assassinated in Ireland, he would not tell. This came to Mr Farndale’s knowledge, and, as the constable was unable to afford a satisfactory explanation, he was, with the concurrence of the Judicial Sub Committee, dismissed from the Force.

 

Birmingham Daily Post, 27 September 1882:

 

The explanation given by the CHIEF OF POLICE at the Watch Committee meeting yesterday, with regard to the entire absence of police along the extensive route traversed by the armed burglars on Sunday morning was characterised by the chairman as satisfactory … It seems that on Sunday mornings, from six to ten, which Mr FARNDALE describes, no doubt correctly, as the “quietest time of the week”, there is a partial interregnum of police supervision, only half the ordinary staff being on duty. The arrangement is necessitated we are told by the extra demands on the staff on the Saturday evening, when the number of rough and disorderly characters about is greater than the ordinary night staff could cope with

 

Leicester Chronicle, 30 December 1882

 

Mr J Duns, Chief Constable of Durham, appointed chief of Leicester in succession to Mr Farndale, resigned.

 

13 June 1882

Thomas William Farndale, son of Samuel Sanders and Mary Farndale, was born in Egton.

5 April 1883

The Ledsam Street dynamite conspiracy made national news. Alfred Whitehead was arrested at 128 Ledsam Street on April 5, 1883, on the charge of manufacturing nitroglycerine, or dynamite. Whitehead was one of the Irish-American or American-Irish party of the Land Leaguers or Home Rulers. Well supplied with funds from New York, Whitehead quietly arranged his little manufactory, buying glycerine from one firm and nitric and sulphuric acids from others, certain members of the conspiracy coming from London to take away the stuff when it was completely mixed. The deliveries of the ingredients attracted the attention of Mr. Gilbert Pritchard, whose chemical knowledge led him to guess what they were required for; he informed his friend, Sergeant Price, of his suspicions; Price and his superior officers made nightly visits to Ledsam Street, getting into the premises, and taking samples for examination; on the morning of 5th April Whitehead was arrested, though not before he had been watched in sending off two lots of the dangerously explosive stuff to London.

 

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No less than 200lbs weight of explosives were still on the premises. The men who carried it to London were caught with the dynamite in their possession, and, along with Whitehead, brought to trial, each of them were sentenced to penal servitude for life. The distribution of rewards in connection with the "dynamite outrages," so far as Birmingham people were concerned, was somewhat on a similar scale to that described by the old sailor, when he said "prize-money" was distributed through a ladder, all passing through going to the officers, while any sticking to the wood was divided among the men. Mr. Farndale, the Chief of Police, was granted an addition to his salary of Ł100 per year; Inspector Black was promoted to the rank of Superintendent, adding Ł50 a year to his salary, and was presented with Ł100 from Government; Sergeant Price, became Inspector, with a rise of Ł41 12s. a year, and received a bonus of Ł200; Inspector Rees' salary was raised to two guineas a week, with a gift, of Ł50: while Mr. Pritchard, to whom belonged the conspicuous service of having given the information which led the police to act, was rewarded (!) with Ł50, having lost his situation through his services to the public.

 

Preston Herald, 7 April 1883:

 

THE DYNAMITE CONSPRACY

FURTHER ALARMING DISCOVERIES. SUPPOSED FENIAN PLOT IN BIRMNGHAM. DISCOVERY OF A NITRO GLYCERINE FACTORY. IMPORTANT CAPTRURE AND SEIZURE. A HUNDREDWEIGHT AND THRE QUARTERS OF DYNAMITE SEIZED. THREE ARRESTS IN LONDON.

 

At Birmingham police court on Thursday afternoon, Albert George Whitehead, apparently about twenty years of age, was charged with manufacturing and being in possession of explosives with the intent to commit a felony. Prisoner was strongly guarded in the dock, being surrounded by detectives and police,. Chief Superintendent Farndale, addressing the bench, said@ This Albert George Whitehead, your worships, has been apprehended charged with manufacturing and being in possession of explosive substances, namely nitro glycerine with intent to commit a felony

 

 … What application do you make now? Mr Farndale: My application now is that he be remanded here a week. I have received a telegram from the Home Secretary directing that the man in custody here should be brought before the magistrates under section 54, 24 and 25 vic., cap 97, and remanded for a week.

 

Dundee Courier, 9 April 1883:

 

ALARM IN BIMRINGHAM. MILITARY CALLED OUT.

 

Owing to the increasing alarm in Birmingham that the Fenians will avenge the arrest of Whitehead, the Mayor, Alderman White, after consulting with Mr Farndale, the chief of police, telegraphed on Friday night to the Home Secretary requesting that a body of military should be immediately drafted into the town to assist the police in protecting the borough gaol at Winson Green, where Whitehead is confined, an attempt to rescue the accused being expected.

 

Eastern Evening News, 9 April 1883

 

SUPPOSED PLOT TO BLOW UP BUIDINGS. THREE MORE ARRESTS

 

The seizures of nitro glycerine at Birmingham and London on Thursday last, together with the apprehension of the man in possession of the dangerous compound, have been promptly followed up by two more arrests, one at Glasgow and the other in the metropolis….

 

Immediately Norman was captured, I telegraphed to Mr Farndale “Man in custody Contents of the box nitro glycerine.” And Mr Farndale ordered the arrest of Whitehead at Ladywood, and the seizure of everything on his premises.

 

Dundee Courier, 10 April 1883:

 

THE BIRMINGHAM DISCOVERY – WHITEHEAD’S ASSOCIATES

CLEVER RUSE BY A DETECTIVE

 

Price, to whom all credit is due of initiating the investigations that led to the important discovery in Lincoln street, has given a graphic account of the incidents that led to the arrest of Whitehead and the seizure of explosives. He says days before the seizure he received certain information from a friend which induced him to take the matter up. His friend was accustomed to pass Whitehead’s shop, and on this occasion he noticed Messrs Harris’ man deliver glycerine there … He then went and informed Mr Farndale, Chief Constable of what he had seen, and expressed his conviction that Whitehead was making nitro-glycerine. Then Mr Farndale set detectives to watch the shop.

 

On the Sunday afternoon Price took an opportunity in passing the shop to notice the fastenings of the door and the sort of lock. He ascertained that Whitehead did not live on the premises, and he asked Mr Farndale for permission to make a search. Inspector Black accompanied him, and at 2 o’clock on Monday morning they unlocked the door with a skeleton key, and taking off their boots, went in and made a complete examination. Next morning they again went ion, and found that some of the contents of the vat in the scullery had disappeared. They took a sample from the vat and gave it to Dr Hill, by whom an analysis was made, which confirmed Price’s suspicions, and they found that Whitehead was making nitro glycerine. … On answering a sudden call to Ledsam Street early on Thursday morning, Price found that Mr Farndale had determined to arrest Whitehead and take possession of the premises.

 

 

Southern Reporter, 12 April 1883

 

THE FENIAN PLOT

 

At the Birmingham Police office in the afternoon, Whitehead was brought up before the Stipendiary and Alderman Deakin, and was charged under the Act 24 and 25, chap 97, sec 54, for having nitro glycerine in his possession for the purpose of committing a felony. The prisoner, who is rather sallow complexioned, and of slim build, seemed to be undisturbed when the charge was read over. Chief Constable Farndale stated the facts of the case, showing that the prisoner’s house had been watched for the past two months, and stating that when the premises were entered into on Thursday morning seven or eight gallons of liquid were found, which on being submitted to the borough analyst were believed to be nitro glycerine. On the same premises fourteen carboys containing nitro glycerine and sulphuric acid were found. Mr Farndale also stated that a man was seen on Wednesday evening to take a box from Ledsam Street to the North Western Railway Station where he booked it for London. A detective telegraphed to Scotland Yard, and the man was arrested with the nitro glycerine in his possession. In answer to the charge the prisoner said nothing. A remand for a week was granted.

 

Lincolnshire Chronicle, 13 April 1883

 

THE DYNAMITE CONSPIRACY

SEIZURES OF NITRO GLYCERINE

 

The police have at length succeeded in effecting some important arrests in connection with the dynamite conspiracy, and the authorities have now hopes of being able to ferret out the miscreants in this plot as effectually as they have ben able to track members of the Assassination Society in Dublin.

 

The credit for the first discovery which led to the arrests seems to lie with the Birmingham police …

 

Recent certain suspicious circumstances were brought to the notice of the police, and numbers of detectives were set to watch the prisoner, the result being that at six o’clock on Thursday morning, the Chief Constable, M Farndale … and a number of other officers made a aid upon the premises. Several officers were detailed off to make an inspection of the adjoining house, where they found and arrested Whitehead.

 

Worcestershire Chronicle, 14 April 1883:

 

Some further particulars have been made known concerning Whitehead since he has been in custody. It appears that he was in possession of Ł11 off at the time of his arrest, nearly the whole amount being in gold. He had no revolver or any other weapon for his personal protection. Up to the present time he has maintained a demeanour of perfect self possession amounting even to bravado. When he was introduced to Mr Farndale at the shop after being called up, he saluted him with “Who are you?” and on being informed that he was the chief of police, he said: “I thought so, and a very good looking gentleman you are. In the police van which conveyed him to Winson green he sang several songs, one of them commencing “I’ll upset the English Government; I’ll die for old Ireland, I will”.

 

Birmingham Daily Post, 5 May 1883

 

THE COFFEE HOUSE MOVEMENT IN BIRMINGHAM

 

Yesterday the Birmingham Coffee house Company opened a new coffee house in Newton Row … It was an interesting fact in connection with the movement of the Birmingham coffee house Company that the same kind of work had been taken up and carried on with more or less success in many of the large towns in England; and he was glad to learn that the movement was being imitated in New York and Philadelphia. Probably some of the bearers had noticed in a recent police case some remarks by Mr Farndale and one of the magistrates as to the prevalence of gambling in coffee houses

 

Shields Daily Gazette, 13 July 1883:

 

A Birmingham correspondent telegraphs that examination has been made by the police of a supposed infernal machine, discovered yesterday on the premises lately occupied by Whitehead, and they are of the opinion it could not have been constructed with any malicious design. It is about four inches long by two wide, and consists of a thin tube slightly battered at one end; attached to this was a brass wheel, with little eccentric gearing. It has been remarked that the machine has been found since the police gave up possession of the place two months ago. A telegram was received by Mr Farndale, chief of police, last evening from the Home Secretary, asking for details of the discovery, and a reply was sent that the machine was a mere toy, and could not possibly be used for an explosive purpose.

 

(In the Shepton Mallet Journal on 20 July 1883, this incident was reported as “An Infernal Machine Hoax”)

 

St James’s Gazette, 6 August 1883

 

THE DYNAMITE PLOTS INJ BIRMINGHAM

 

The Mayor, at the quarterly meeting of the Birmingham Town Council: I have had for some time under my consideration the manner in which the services should be recognised of those to whose courage and skill the detection f the nitro-glycerine plot was due. …    I desire to testify the very high opinion I have formed of the remarkable skill, intelligence, and resource, exhibited by Mr Farndale, the Chief Constable of Birmingham, throughout the whole of the matter and in other transactions of a similar nature in which I have received from him much valued assistance.

 

 

Pateley Bridge and Nidderdale Herald, 11 August 1883

 

THE DYNAMITE CONSPIRACY AND THE BIRMINGHAM POLICE

 

A private meeting of the Watch Committee of the Birmingham Town Council was held on Aug 3, when a report was adopted which had reference to the Birmingham police who took such a prominent part in bringing to justice the dynamite conspirators. The committee recommended that the salary of Mr Farndale, the chief superintendent of police, be increased from Ł700 to Ł800 per annum …Mr Farndale, it may be interesting to state, was some years ago the Chief Constable in Chesterfield. He is also well known in many parts of Yorkshire, of which county he is a native.

 

 

Nottingham Evening Post, 29 August 1883:

 

RECOVERY OF MISSING JEWELLERY. Chief Constable Farndale of Birmingham, yesterday morning, received a consignment of damaged jewellery, which has since been identified as part of the stock stolen from Messrs Mole and Sons, High Street, Birmingham, valued at Ł5,000. The articles were found in a parcel in the river Mersey.

 

(also reported in the York Herald, 29 August 1883, under the headline The Great Jewellery Robbery in Birmingham)

 

 

Birmingham Daily Post, 4 December 1883

 

THE ROYAL VISIT TO BIRMINGHAM

 

The occasion was the visit to Birmingham of their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess Christian and the Marquis of Lorne, paid in connection with the Birmingham cattle and poultry show … on arriving at Washwood Heath the Prince and Princess were met by Mr Farndale, the chief superintendent of police

 

13 July 1883

Joseph Farndale, son of William Farndale (born 1859) and Mary Farndale, was born in York.

1 April 1884

Annie Elizabeth Farndale, daughter of Samuel Sanders and Mary Farndale, was baptised at Egton. Annie Farndale married George Cuthbert in 1900 and they had five children. George Cuthbert was an ironstone miner in Loftus. Annie Cuthbert aged 66 was buried in Loftus cemetery in 1950.

 

14 April 1884

The chief constable of that place [Birmingham], is a man who has few rivals in his particular walk of life, and he fully deserves the eulogium passed upon him by the Home Secretary last year. Mr Farndale commenced life as an ordinary constable, I believe in Middlesbrough, and he has worked his way upwards to his present position. He occupied the post of chief constable in two or three other towns before ging to Birmingham, in each one of which he added to his reputation. The circumstances of his career have given him an amount of experience which is comparatively rare, and he has added to it a very careful study of the criminal law, in the knowledge of which he has not many superiors. Mr Farndale is very much opposed to the practice of selecting retired army officers for the posts of chief constable, and he himself is a strong argument in favour of his theory that such positions ought to be filled by men practically acquainted with the routine of police work (Manchester Evening News).

 

 

In a continuation of the aftermath of the Dynamite Conspiracies:

 

Sunderland Daily Echo and Shipping Gazette, 12 April 1884:

 

THE RECENT DYNAMITE CONSPIRACIES – ARREST OF CONSPIRATORS

 

Another American Fenian conspiracy has been traced to Birmingham. Some time ago, Chief Constable Farndale, of Birmingham, was informed by the Home Office that an American emissary had arrived in the country, and a strict watch was kept on all suspects. They directed their attention more particularly to the house of a man named Jas. Egan, described as a commission agent … The police kept a vigilant watch on this man

 

Leeds Times, 19 April 1884

 

ANOTHER ARREST IN BIRMINGHAM

 

Contemporaneous with the capture of Daly, was the arrest of James Francis Egan, thirty eight, clerk, of Kyott’s Lane House, Grafton road, Sparkbrook, Birmingham ... During the five or six months the premises were watched the observations of the police were regularly reported to Sir Wm Harcourt, Chief constable Farndale making a midnight journey to the Home Office to communicate important information.

 

A SUSPECTED SERGEANT

 

As the result of the capture of Egan and Daly, the police hope to make further arrests. Acting under the provisions of the Explosives Act, the Chief constable (MR Farndale) caused to be searched the apartments of Patrick Hogan, drill instructor of the Birmingham volunteers … a colour sergeant in the 6th (Royal Warwickshire) regiment … The attention of the police was directed to him by his being frequently in the company of Day and Egan at public houses …

 

Alcester Chronicle, 26 April 1884

 

THE RECENT ARRESTS

 

At the police court, Birmingham, James Francis Egan has been brought up, on remand, charged with conspiring with John Daly, alias Denman, to cause an explosion in the United Kingdom, likely to endanger life and property … the presiding magistrate addressing Mr Farndale, the chief constable asked if he was prepared to proceed with the case. Mr Farndale: No sir. I am instructed by the solicitor for the Treasury to ask for a further remand for a week.

 

 

Dundee Courier, 2 May 1884 reported the discovery in the garden of Mr Egan a bottle containing a thick liquid of suspicious appearances. Mr Farndale, Chief of Police reported the matter to Her Majesty’s Inspector of Explosives, Colonel Majendie. There was also a letter found in the bottle from William McDonell of Wednesbury, so Mr Farndale proceeded to Wednesbury to interview McConnell and several other people there.

 

 

Jersey Independent and Daily Telegraph, 17 May 1884

 

THE DYNAMITE PLOTS. COMMITTAL OF DALY, EGAN AND MCDONNELL.

 

At Birmingham Police Court this morning before the stipendiary, the prisoners Daly, Egan and McDonell were charged on remand with treason felony…

 

Joseph Farndale gave evidence …

 

 

Birmingham Daily Post, 13 September 1884

 

THE SOCIAL SCIENCES CONGRESS

 

Among the readers of papers in other departments are the following …. By Mr J Farndale, chief constable of Birmingham, and Mr JA Telfer, on “What Means would Reduce the Traffic in Stolen Property.”

 

 

Kenilworth Advertiser, 18 October 1884:

 

Birmingham has in Mr Farndale as skilful a Chief Constable as any town in the Midlands, and it has a very fine police force, but there is in Birmingham a sufficiently large number of disorderly persons to sack the town. Now that the roughs have once tested the pleasures of a riot, we must rely upon it that they will not be long before they find another excuse for setting at defiance the powers of the law

 

1885

Birmingham Mail, 14 February 1885:

 

THE DYNAMITE OUTRAGES. POLICE WITNESSES INTIMIDATED. THREAT TO BLOW UP ST PAUL’S CATHEDRAL AND THE BANK OF ENGLAND. A DYNAMITE PLIOT TO DESTROY NOTTINGHAM CASTLE. SUPPOSED HOAX.

 

… By a letter accidentally received by a tradesman at Aston from Nottingham, a plot has been discovered to destroy the castle, art museum, school of art, Nottingham … On enquiry at the Birmingham Detective office today we learn that a copy of the same letter has been sent to r Farndale. The letter is sad to have been accidentally opened at Aston, and was forwarded to the chief of the borough police

 

Leighton Buzzard Observer and Linsdale Gazette, 5 May 1885:

 

POLICE SUPERANNUATION

 

A meeting of chief constables of police was held on Thursday at Anderton’s Hotel, Fleet Street, London, for the purpose of taking into consideration sections of the :Police Bill which has just been brought into the House of Commons. A deputation afterwards waited upon Mr Fowler MP, the Under Secretary of State at the Home Office, with reference to the measure … The deputation having been introduced … Mr Farndale, chief constable of Birmingham and others addressed Mr Fowler in support of the bill, which provides for the superannuation of police officers after a certain number of years’ service. Mr Fowler received the representations of the deputation very favourably, and said that the Government would do its best to pass this bill this session.

 

(superannuation is essentially a pension scheme)

 

Birmingham Mail, 16 June 1885:

 

BIRMINGHAM POLICE MISSION. A social gathering in connection with the Birmingham Young Men’s Christian Association’s Police Mission was held in the Association Rooms, Needles Alley, last night, Alderman Downing presided. It was announced that Mr Farndale had expressed his readiness to afford all the men in the force time and opportunity for attending a place of worship once every Sunday

 

Birmingham Mail, 13 October 1885:

 

A YEARS CRIME IN BIRMINGHAM

 

At the meeting of the Watch Committee this morning Councilor Bishop in the chair, the Chief Constable (Mr Farndale) presented his annual return of crime in the borough for the twelve months ending September the 25th last

 

1886

Edith Farndale, daughter of John and Susannah Farndale, was baptised at Loftus. Ny 1939, Edith was an inmate at the Stokesley Poor Law Institution. She died in 1968.

1886

Ellen Farndale, daughter of William Farndale (born 1859) and Mary Farndale, was born in York. She married John Wardell in 1912 in Lancashire. She died in 1979 in Luton, Bedfordshire.

 

Nottingham Guardian, 1 January 1886:

 

SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS AGAINST BIRMINGHAM POLICE OFFICERS

 

When a man well known to the police was arrested after violence was used there was a report that the police had struck the man with a staff across his shoulders and the court directed Mr Farndale to institute an inquiry not the matter

 

Blanford and Wimborne Telegram, 12 March 1886:

 

The question of Chief Commissionership of the Police is at last decided. Mr Howard Vincent, it is said, will not take the post. The recent riots at Manchester and Birmingham, and the excellent way in which they were checked by the police forces in those towns, have drawn Mr Childers’ attention particularly to Mr Wood, the chief constable of Manchester, and Mr Farndale, who holds the same position in Birmingham. Mr Farndale has, we believe, risen from the ranks, having entered the force as a common policeman. The practical experience of such a man could not fail to be highly valuable, if he also possesses those graces of manner which have always hitherto been deemed indispensable for this important command

 

Globe, 16 March 1886:

 

A SCARE IN BIMRINGHAM

BAYONETS SOLD AT NE PENNY EACH

 

The attention of the local police has just been called to the wholesale distribution of old bayonets among children and others in the town … at several of the Board schools in the town the teachers were startled to see their young scholars march in literally “armed to the teeth” … As soon as this became known there was quite a rush to the shops, and the dealers drove a roaring trade among the juvenile population. Mr Farndale, the Chief of Police, mentioned the matter yesterday morning to Mr Kynnersley at the Public Office, but the stipendiary said he thought no steps could be taken in the matter.

 

Edinburgh Evening News, 14 September 1886:

 

MR CHAMBERLAIN UNDER POLICE PROTECTION

 

This morning Mr Chamberlain had a long interview with Mr Farndale, the chief of police in Birmingham, and it is understood that an arrangement was arrived at for a detective to accompany him on his holidays. The right hon gentleman starts in a few days for the Continent, accompanied by Mr Jesse Collings.

 

The Worcester Chronicle of 18 September 1886 also reported a song written to commemorate the event of which an extract is:

 

So Joseph and Jesse far away will sojourn,

The shame of it is, they’ll be sure to return.

A detective goes with them, who’ll have a great try

To “detect” Jesse’s genius and Joe’s honesty.

Farewell to the Bobby;

His task will be hard;

That he’ll ne’er overcome it

Is quite the card.

 

The Liverpool Daily Post of 15 September 1886 reported that it is understood that it was arranged that Inspector Van Helden should accompany the right hon gentleman throughout his tour … and the Blackburn Standard, 18 September 1886 reported that Van Helden speaks several European languages.

 

Joseph Chamberlain (1836 to 1914) was a liberal and later conservative politician and the father of Neville Chamberlain. He made his career in Birmingham as a manufacturer of screws and later as mayor. He resigned from Gladstone’s government in 1886 in opposition to Irish Home Rule. He helped engineer a split in the liberal party and became a Liberal Unionist.

 

 

Morpeth Herald, 30 October 1886:

 

GREAT RAID ON BETTING MEN IN BIRMINGHAM

 

On Tuesday afternoon the Birmingham police made a road on three public houses in Birmingham notoriously used for betting purposes … Mr Farndale, the Chief Constable, under whose immediate superintendence the arrangements were made, provided for a simultaneous swoop upon the three houses

 

7 November 1886

Frank Farndale, son of Samuel Sanders and Mary Farndale, was baptised in Egton. Frank Farndale died aged 4 and was buried at St Hilda, Egton in 1890.

24 May 1886

William Farndale was buried at St Hilda Church, Egton.

 

1887

 

Birmingham Daily Post, 23 February 1887

 

BIRMINGHAM WATCH COMMITTEE

 

A meeting to discuss the bye laws for regulating street traffic. There was concern about the speed of tram cars.

 

The bye laws provided that the speed should not exceed four miles an hour, but the borough surveyor reported that the cars were occasionally run at the rate of 9 Ľ miles per hour. The CHIEF CONSTABLE (Mr Farndale): They go 19 Ľ miles an hour in some places outside the borough

 

 

Birmingham Daily Post, 8 March 1887:

 

THE QUEEN’S VISIT – PROGESS OF THE ARRANGEMENTS

 

With reference to the illuminations we understand that Mr Farndale, the chief constable, will probably suggest to the Watch Committee that vehicular traffic in the central streets should be prohibited. Experience of the last similar occasion proved that even a single line of traffic could not be worked without difficulty and confusion, as well as leading to numerous accidents ..

 

Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer, 24 March 1887:

 

THE QUEEN IN BIRMINGHAM

ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION

 

Her Majesty’s first official visit to the provinces in her Jubilee year has been an unqualified success – the weather splendid for the season of the year, the crowds of her subjects in the streets large, orderly and enthusiastic, and the arrangements for her reception, progress, and departure perfect in every particular … The police arrangements, carried out under the superintendence of Chief Constable Farndale, were admirable so far as they went; but it would have been impossible for the police to keep the streets clear if they had not had the assistance of 400 firemen and several battalions of volunteers, who lined the route. ..

 

 

The Graphic, 26 March 1887:

 

The Queen’s Visit to Birmingham:

 

 

Aberdeen Press and Journal, 5 November 1887:

 

THE GOVERNMENT RESOLUTE

 

The Right Hon A J Balfour, MP, Secretary for Ireland, attended meetings in Birmingham yesterday and delivered addresses on the Irish question … On the platform the right hon gentleman was met by Sir James Sawyer, President of the Birmingham Conservative Association, and by the chief constable of Birmingham, Mr Farndale

 

 

Birmingham Daily Post, 7 November 1887:

 

THE SOCIALISTS IN BIRMINGHAM. A SUNDAY EVENING DISTURBANCE.  A disorderly scene took place in front of the Council House last evening, in connection with one of the meetings which are held on the Sundays by the members of the Socialist League, under the direction of the local agent. Mr A Donald … Donald, we understand, denies that he was advised to abandon the meeting. In order to avoid the crowd that gathered in Moor Street, the various persons interested were let out the back way, and Mr Farndale detained a policeman to secure Mr Donald from molestation on his way home.

 

 

7 April 1888

 

This is probably the Egton part of the family.

 

(Whitby Gazette)

 

2 October 1888

 

Mary Alice Farndale, daughter of Samuel and Mary Farndale was born in Whitby. She died aged only 9 months and was buried at St Hilda, Egton on 19 July 1889.

8 October 1888

 

The Whitechapel Murders – a Jack the Ripper Hoax

 

5C1413C1

 

A CONFESSION AND ARREST IN BIRMINGHAM. At The Birmingham Public Office on Saturday, before Messrs. J.D. Goodman and W. Holliday (magistrates), Alfred Napier Blanchard (34), described as a canvasser, of 2, Rowland Grove, Rowland Road, Handsworth, was charged on his own confession with committing the Whitechapel murders. Detective-sergeant Ashby said that on Friday night the prisoner was in a public-house in Newtown Row, and he told the landlord that he was the Whitechapel murderer. He repeated the statement to several people and witness arrested him. When at Duke Street Police Station he denied being the murderer, but witness thought proper to keep him in custody. The police had not yet had time to make inquiries, and knew nothing of the prisoner's antecedents. Richard King, landlord of the Fox and Goose, Newtown Row, said the prisoner came to his house about eleven o'clock on Friday morning, and remained till about a quarter past eight at night. During his stay in the house he drank about five and a half pints of beer. About half-past twelve o'clock he asked witness what kind of detectives they had in Birmingham. Witness told him he believed them to be very clever men. Prisoner said that it would be a funny thing if the Whitechapel murderer were to give himself up in Birmingham. Witness acquiesced, and prisoner continued, "I am the Whitechapel murderer." Turning round to an elderly gentleman sitting in the bar, prisoner said, "Look here, old gentleman; perhaps you would not think there was a murderer in the house." "I don't know about that," replied the customer; "you might not look unlike one." Prisoner said, "I am one, then." Later on the old gentleman asked prisoner had he got the knife with him, and he answered that he had left a long knife behind him. Someone asked prisoner how he did the murders without making the victims scream. He explained that this was done "simply by placing the thumb and finger on the windpipe and cutting the throat with the right hand." He said he had "done six of them in London." He was sober when he made this statement. Turning round to witness prisoner said, "You are a fool if you don't get the thousand pounds reward offered for me; you may as well have it as anyone else." Mr. Farndale (Chief Constable) informed the magistrates that he did not attach the least importance to this arrest. At the same time prisoner had placed himself in a most serious position, and could not complain if the magistrates thought fit to remand him for inquiries. At present nothing had been ascertained with respect to him beyond information contained in some papers found upon him. Mr. Goodman thought that some further inquiries should be made. The prisoner asked if he might say a few words, and, having obtained permission, stated that he was stationed in London, and was a canvasser for a London firm. He had recently been working up North. He was now on his way to London, and when he made the statement incriminating himself was labouring under great excitement, having been previously reading the reports of the inquests. The statement was, on the face of it, ridiculous, and he was sure they would admit that. He could give them references in Birmingham. Mr. Barradale (Magistrates' Clerk) told the prisoner that he could give any references he had to Mr. Farndale for inquiry. As the prisoner said he was a murderer, it was a question whether time should not be given to make inquiries. Mr. Goodman: It is your own fault that you are in this position. The prisoner said he was aware of this, but at the same time he was labouring under great excitement. Mr. Barradale: Were you suffering from the drink? Prisoner: Partly from drink and partly from nervousness. I had been drinking for two or three days. The prisoner was remanded until to-morrow. Mr. Barradale told him that if he wished any messages to be sent the police would assist him in every way. He could telegraph to anybody living away from the town and write to anyone he thought proper. As he was proceeding towards the cells, prisoner said he had a favour to ask. Would the press be kind enough not to mention this case? It was a serious matter for him, and should his employer get to hear about it he would lose his situation. Mr. Barradale: The magistrates have no power over the press. The prisoner then went below. (Birmigham Daily Gazette).

 

Blanchard, a 34 year old canvasser, who resided at 2 Rowland Grove, Rowland Road, Handsworth, was arrested in the Fox And Goose public house, Newton Row Aston, Birmingham, on 5 October 1888 after being overheard describing how he had committed the Whitechapel murders. According to the landlord of the Fox And Goose, Richard King, Blanchard entered the pub on Friday morning at about 11 o'clock and commenced drinking until quarter past 8 at night. He consumed about 5 and a half pints of beer. While in the pub, Blanchard struck up a conversation with the landlord and asked him what kind of detectives they had in Birmingham, the landlord replied that he believed them to be very clever men, to which Blanchard replied, 'It would be a funny thing if the Whitechapel murderer were to give himself up in Birmingham', before declaring, 'I am the Whitechapel murderer'. Someone asked him how he had done the murders without making the victims scream, to which he explained that this was done by simply placing the thumb and finger on the windpipe and cutting the throat with the right hand, he also claimed he had done six of them in London. Blanchard said to the landlord, 'you are a fool if you don't get the thousand pounds reward offered for me, You may have as well have it as anyone else'. When he appeared in court he told the magistrates that after drinking heavily and reading about the murders he had became excited and claimed them as his own. After police inquires, it was proved he was in Manchester when the Whitechapel murders occurred, and had been there for some two months prior to his visit to Birmingham.

 

Birmingham Daily Post, 8 October 1888:

 

A BIRMINGHAM CONFESSION

 

At Birmingham Police Court on Saturday, before Sir Thomas Martineau … a respectfully dressed man, named Alfred Napier Blanchard (34), who described himself as a canvasser … was charged by his own confession with having committed the Whitechapel murders. Detective Ashby explained that on Friday morning the prisoner went into a public house in Newton Row, and openly accused himself od having committed the Whitechapel murders. Witness took him into custody, and when they reached Duke Street police station he denied having made any confession … Was he drunk at the time? Mr Farndale: he was sober when he first broached the subject, but by the time the police were called he was undoubtedly under the influence of drink … Mr Farndale now said he did not attach the least importance to the arrest, but, at the same time the prisoner had placed himself in the position in which he now stood, and he could not complain if the Bench remanded him. Mr Goodman: Do you know anything about him? Mr Farndale: Nothing, except what has been gleaned from papers found in his possession.

 

23 November 1888

 

Mr. Joseph Farndale, the Chief Constable of Birmingham, who is making the running for the Chief Commissionership, is an excellent officer. Birmingham got him from Leicester, where from working a beat he had risen to the position of head policeman. There was some talk of Mr. Farndale when Sir Edmund Henderson resigned, and the Birmingham Watch Committee - the Town Council Committee that has control of the police - were in despair. They would have been very glad for his sake if he had obtained promotion, but at the same time they fervently hoped that he would not be taken away from them. Birmingham ascertained by sad experience the disadvantages of a military despotism. Major Bond, a gentleman who achieved some little distinction in Ireland, was Mr. Farndale's predecessor. He was a provincial Charles Warren, and it was not long before Birmingham rebelled against his iron rule. The police lost touch with the people, and neither the people not the police liked it. He had to go, and from occupying a position of honor and eminence he came to be an Irish resident magistrate. When the Major went the first qualification which the people and the press demanded in his successor was that he should be a civilian. Mr. Farndale had an excellent record, and has thoroughly justified his selection. The secret of his success is that he carefully avoids any display of force. Shortly after the disturbances and the sacking of the West-end, there was some fear of a similar occurrence in Birmingham. The Chief Constable dealt with the situation in a very admirable manner. He did not attempt to interfere with the demonstration, and carefully refrained from crowding Costa-green with policemen or from irritating the people by any unnecessary display of authority. There was no bludgeoning, no violence, and the consequence was that the crowd, amongst whom were a good many bad characters who would have stuck at nothing in the way of plunder, gradually dispersed. The Chief Constable himself preserved his good temper throughout, and was cheered by the crowd as he passed. He has the advantage of being a handsome man - a great point with the crowd. He looks remarkably well in his uniform and on horseback, and he is always in evidence whenever there is anything moving. When the dynamite plot was discovered in Birmingham, the Chief Constable was in his proper place, and directed the investigations so well that not a mistake was made. Night and day he remained at his post until the right moment came, and then the police swooped down and captured the gang. The result was that the dynamite conspiracy, which had its head-quarters in Birmingham, was completely crushed out of existence. Mr. Farndale looks something over 40. He is tall, broad-shouldered, athletic, has good features and looks like a gentleman. He has the bald head that comes of wearing a constable's helmet. (The Star, London).

 

 

Evening Star, 6 November 1888

 

MR GLADSTONE’S JOURNEY

SPEECH ON HOME AND FOERIEGN POLITICS

Mr Gladstone left Hawarden for Birmingham this morning, for the purpose of fulfilling a series of arrangements in connection with the National Liberal Federation … The train steamed into Birmingham station at 1.15 precisely … Outside the station there was an immense concourse of people. Here, however, as well as along the whole route to the Town Hall, strong barricades had been erected, and a large force of police being in attendance, under the command of Mr Farndale, a perfectly clear space was kept for the procession. An enthusiastic cheer was given as Mr Gladstone emerged from the station

 

Of Gladstone’s visit, the Burley Gazette of 3 November 1888 had commented Since, in dealing with so large a number, it is impossible to ensure that all shall be sympathisers, with the object of the gathering, or even respectable men, there will be a strong police force in the hall, commanded by the Chief Constable (Mr Farndale) who has frequently shown himself a man of rare tact and energy on such occasions

 

Bristol Mercury, 13 November 1888

 

Sir Charles Warren has taken the course of a sensible man, in resigning from a position for which it is evident he was not fitted … The police are a civil body charged with the maintenance of order and the detection of crime and the Whitechapel horrors have shown how incapable Scotland yard is in this respect … They make the fatal error of transferring even their detectives from division to division, so that they have not men with intimate local knowledge as Mr Coathupe has in Bristol, or Mr Farndale has in Birmingham, acquainted with the criminal classes and all the dark places of the city, so that very few hours would elapse before the arrival of a suspicious stranger or a suspicious occurrence in the lowest haunts in the place would become known at police headquarters.

 

(Bristol Mercury, 20 November 1888)

 

 

Birmingham Mail, 28 December 1888:

 

MR FARNDALE’S ILLNESS

 

Although Mr Farndale has been incapacitated for a considerable time, it has not yet been announced what he has actually been suffering from. A severe cold was at the outset said to be the cause, but when he was recommended to repair to the South of England it was generally accepted that his illness was of much greater severity than his medical attendants chose to announce. During his absence he continued to lose strength, and the development of the obstinate complaint manifested itself in a manner which occasioned considerable apprehension. The fact is that the Chief of Police contracted an attack of diphtheria of such a peculiar character that his medical advisers were baffled in their diagnosis. During the latter part of his stay at Torquay, however, paralysis supervened, and then it dawned upon them that the primary complaint was diphtheria. The paralysis gave rise to much alarm, and Mr Farndale’s return was at once ordered. Since he has been at home he has been attended by Sir W Foster and Drs Wilders and Hunt, and we are pleased to be able to announce that he is now showing some signs of improvement, although some time must yet transpire ere he is able to resume his duties.

 

1889

 

Annie Farndale, daughter of John and Susannah Farndale, was baptised at Egton. By 1911, Annie was a dressmaker in Loftus. She had a daughter, out of marriage, Ethel Farndale, who was born on 14 July 1916. Annie Farndale died in Catterick Village in 1971.

 

Birmingham Mail, 5 January 1889:

 

I hear with regret that Mr Farndale has had a relapse, which has aroused fresh fears amongst his friends and medical advisers. The paralysis from which he was suffering on his return to Birmingham at first showed some signs of gradual abatement, but with the advent of the cold weather the symptoms returned with increased severity, and the dense fogs have also tended to render anything like a speedy recovery less hopeful.

 

Whitby Gazette, 11 January 1889:

 

Mr Farndale, chief constable of Birmingham, who has been seriously ill, is now slightly improving.

 

But he found it necessary to sell his horse:

 

Birmingham Mail, 6 February 1889:

 

 

 

Derbyshire Times, 9 February 1889:

 

I have heard for some time with regret of the serious illness of Chief Constable Farndale of Birmingham and formerly Chief Constable of Chesterfield. Mr Farndale unfortunately contracted diphtheria which was followed by diptheric paralysis of the throat, complicated by kidney disorders. Mr Farndale’s many friends will however be glad to hear that he is decidedly better and Dr Lawson Tait gives hope of a seedy recovery. Mr Farndale is held in kindly memory in Chesterfield, and I trust he will soon be well and strong again.

 

 

Birmingham Mail, 16 February 1889:

 

Anyone passing a certain police station within the limits of the city early on Monday morning last, might have witnessed a very lively snowballing encounter, between a dozen or so of Mr Farndale’s most trusted officers. Of course very few people were about at the time, but these opened their eyes in astonishment with which the myrmidons of the law entered into their game. The scene would have delighted some of the ragamuffins who were later in the day rebuked by the self same officers for doing a similar thing.

 

16 April 1889

When she was 18, Louisa Farndale took teaching examinations with special commendation

 

Birmingham Mail, 26 April 1889:

THE DEMONSTRATION IN BINGLEY HALL

All the tickets for the Unionist demonstration in Bingley Hall tonight have been applied for and issued … The convenience of ticket holders has been admirably provided for in the arrangements made by the Chief Constable (Mr Farndale), which include the blocking of King Alfred’s Place, King Edward’s Place, and part of Cambridge Street by cordons of police, who will permit no person to pass unprovided with a ticket.

 

2 June 1889

Inspection of the City Police Force. Colonel Cobbe, Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary for the Midland District, yesterday afternoon inspected the police force in the yard at the rear of the police station in Duke Street … The men were drawn up in their various divisions …  Mr and Mrs Farndale were driven into the centre …Superintendent Sheppard then presented the Chief Constable with an handsomely illuminated address … He wished the chief a long life and good health, and referred to the kindness that Mr Farndale had always shown to members of the force. The address, which was read by Superintendent Sheppard, was as follows: “Address to Joseph Farndale Esq., Chief Constable for the City of Birmingham – We, the undersigned, deputed by a meeting assembled and representing the whole body of the Birmingham Police Force, consisting of 550 members, heartily congratulate you upon your resumption of duties as chief in this large and important city. We rejoice at your restoration to health, as we sympathised with you in your serious and protracted illness; and it is now a source of happiness for us to have the opportunity of thus expressing to you how much we cherish and admire those qualities so characteristic of you, and which have drawn and endeared us to you during your chief constableship here. We feel that when and wherever qualities abound which have distinguished your career in such an eminent degree then will a true appreciating and grateful people respond and unmistakably demonstrate in no uncertain way the inspiration in their hearts. We therefore ask you sir, prompted by these feelings, to accept this illuminated address, not for its intrinsic value, but rather as an outcome of our expression of pleasure and congratulations upon your resumption of duties, and as a small token of our admiration of your worth as chief, man and friend. With a fervent wish that your convalescence be of long duration and that you live long in the buoyancy of health to champion our cause as hitherto in the course and conduct of our duties, and in the path of wisdom, justice and right. Signed, on behalf of the members of the force, Superintendents Wm Wilcox, Rd Sheppard, Wm Shaw, Philip Stephenson, Joseph Hervey, James Black, and David Noon.” Superintendent Wilcox also added a few words in a similar strain, and presented two handsome bouquets to Mrs Edwards and Mrs Farndale. The Chief Constable, in acknowledging the presentation, expressed the great pleasure which this unanimous demonstration on the part o f the men had afforded him. He was in a measure prepared for something of the kind, because of the kindness that had been shown towards him by all the members of the force during his illness. He attributed his recovery in a great measure to this cause, because cheerfulness of mind played a great part in such matters. … The Mayor, on behalf of the City, expressed gratification at seeing Mr Farndale once more about and making progress towards as he (the speaker) hoped, perfect health. … Cheers were then given for the Chief Constable, and afterwards for the Mayor, and the constables then dispersed to their various divisions. (Birmingham Daily Post)

Joseph Farndale

 

 

Whitby Gazette, 14 June 1889:

 

The Chief Constable of Birmingham (Mr Farndale) is shortly to be made the recipient of a testimonial from the Birmingham Magistrates and many influential citizens. The committee which has been formed to carry out the presentation consider that as the prolonged illness of the chief has entailed a very heavy expense, a substantial monetary testimonial would be both an appropriate and graceful act. Already a resolution has been passed expressive of cordial congratulation on his recovery. The presentation committee also aim at showing their high appreciation of Mr Farndale’s many excellent services in connection with the force by the fund which they have initiated. Circulars asking for subscriptions have even forwarded to those who it is thought would like to participate in the testimonial, but the appeal is in no wise a public one – in fact it is being made privately.

 

 

Birmingham Daily Post 27 June 1889:

 

Inspection of the City Police Force. Colonel Cobbe, Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary for the Midland District, yesterday afternoon inspected the police force in the yard at the rear of the police station in Duke Street … The men were drawn up in their various divisions …  Mr and Mrs Farndale were driven into the centre …Superintendent Sheppard then presented the Chief Constable with an handsomely illuminated address … He wished the chief a long life and good health, and referred to the kindness that Mr Farndale had always shown to members of the force. The address, which was read by Superintendent Sheppard, was as follows: “Address to Joseph Farndale Esq., Chief Constable for the City of Birmingham – We, the undersigned, deputed by a meeting assembled and representing the whole body of the Birmingham Police Force, consisting of 550 members, heartily congratulate you upon your resumption of duties as chief in this large and important city. We rejoice at your restoration to health, as we sympathised with you in your serious and protracted illness; and it is now a source of happiness for us to have the opportunity of thus expressing to you how much we cherish and admire those qualities so characteristic of you, and which have drawn and endeared us to you during your chief constableship here. We feel that when and wherever qualities abound which have distinguished your career in such an eminent degree then will a true appreciating and grateful people respond and unmistakably demonstrate in no uncertain way the inspiration in their hearts. We therefore ask you sir, prompted by these feelings, to accept this illuminated address, not for its intrinsic value, but rather as an outcome of our expression of pleasure and congratulations upon your resumption of duties, and as a small token of our admiration of your worth as chief, man and friend. With a fervent wish that your convalescence be of long duration and that you live long in the buoyancy of health to champion our cause as hitherto in the course and conduct of our duties, and in the path of wisdom, justice and right. Signed, on behalf of the members of the force, Superintendents Wm Wilcox, Rd Sheppard, Wm Shaw, Philip Stephenson, Joseph Hervey, James Black, and David Noon.” Superintendent Wilcox also added a few words in a similar strain, and presented two handsome bouquets to Mrs Edwards and Mrs Farndale. The Chief Constable, in acknowledging the presentation, expressed the great pleasure which this unanimous demonstration on the part o f the men had afforded him. He was in a measure prepared for something of the kind, because of the kindness that had been shown towards him by all the members of the force during his illness. He attributed his recovery in a great measure to this cause, because cheerfulness of mind played a great part in such matters. … The Mayor, on behalf of the City, expressed gratification at seeing Mr Farndale once more about and making progress towards as he (the speaker) hoped, perfect health. … Cheers were then given for the Chief Constable, and afterwards for the Mayor, and the constables then dispersed to their various divisions.

 

 

Birmingham Daily Post, 5 July 1889

 

THE SHAH’S VISIT TO BIRMINGHAM

 

His Majesty the Shah of Persia is expected to arrive at New Street Station by special train from Bromsgrove at about 11.30am on the morning of Thursday, the 11th instant. … The street traffic will be under the control of the Chef Constable (Mr Farndale). As it is expected that considerable interest will be evinced in the visit of the Shah and in his progress through the streets, the Mayor hopes that the inhabitants will maintain the reputation of the city in assisting in the preservation of order along the line of the procession, and by keeping the route clear and free of obstruction.

 

Birmingham Daily Post, 12 July 1889

 

THE SHAH IN BIMRINGHAM

PUBLIC RECEPTION AND INSPECTION OF FACTORIES

 

The Shah paid his promised visit to Birmingham yesterday, but the event was robbed somewhat of the éclat which would otherwise have attended it through an unfortunate upsetting of the programme which had been arranged.

 

The article refers to the changed plans of the Shah which led to delays whilst sightseers had already turned out and shop keepers found their business suspended or closed.

 

A great many undoubtedly thought the time too valuable to idle away, even to show respect to England’s guest – for the crowds in the street thinned. Those who remained behind either waited patiently at their posts or promenaded along the pavements willing away the time as best they could. The name of the illustrious visitor was in every one’s mouth but what was said about him had better not be published. “What a shame!”. “Our Queen wouldn’t serve us such a trick”, “I suppose he thinks he can do as he likes with us”, were among the very mildest of the grumbling comments … “He ain’t worth a tanner” suggested one irreverent passer by. “”What!”, shrieked the man in the cart, “not worth a tanner, when he’s doing all this to save war with old England! – Bah!” … Quite a sigh of relief went up as Mr Farndale and a few mounted policemen rode down to the station. The Mayor followed, the ugly rumours that the Shah was not coming at all were thrown to the winds, and in due course patience was rewarded and curiosity to a certain extent satisfied by the Imperial possession …

 

As soon as the Shah’s carriage had left the station yard, it was surrounded by a squadron of the 9th Lancers, under Major Mackenizie … who formed the escort. The procession was headed by Mr Farndale, the chief superintendent of police, and the carriages not covered by the escort were flanked by mounted constables

 

17 July 1889

 

Presentation to Mr Farndale. A largely attended and representative meeting was held at the Council House, yesterday, for the purpose of making a presentation to Mr Joseph Farndale, the chief of police, upon his restoration from his long and serious illness. Mr Jaffray occupied the chair and amongst those present were the Rev Canon Wilkinson, Alderman Sir Thos Martineau, the Town Clerk (Mr E O Smith), Alderman Pollack, Messrs W Holliday, A Hill, G Marris, HG Reid, JC Holder, WM Ellis, TH Bartlett, Joseph Ansed, Councillor Lawley Parker, Councillor Barclay, Councillor Bishop, … Mr Farndale was warmly applauded on entering the room. The balance sheet showed that the memorial fund amounted to Ł433 1s and that the expenses, including the preparation of an illuminated address, were Ł28 1s. There were 201 contributors. The Chairman read the following address which was illuminated for framing by Mr Morton, and of which a copy was bound in book form with the names of the subscribers:- “To Joseph Farndale, Esq., Chief Constable for the City of Birmingham. Dear Mr Farndale, - We, the undersigned, on behalf of several of your friends and well wishers, are desirous of tendering to you our warm and sincere congratulations upon your restoration to health after your late severe and prolonged illness, and of expressing to you the hope that such restoration is of a permanent nature, and the gratification we feel in seeing you are able to resume the active duties in your important office. We acknowledge with pleasure the efficient and masterly manner in which you have controlled the civil order and protected the individual and material interests of this great city; the able assistance  that you are ever ready with unvarying courtesy to afford to all persons in connection with your office, even in matters not forming part of your official duties, and the high esteem in which you are held by the officers and men of the force of which you are chief; and we look forward with pleasure in the hope of seeing your face amongst us for many years. As a mark of our personal regard we request that you will accept the accompanying cheque for Ł405. We are, dear Mr Farndale, faithfully yours …” In handing over the address, the Chairman said he could not sit down without expressing, on behalf of that very representative meeting of Mr Farndale’s fellow townsmen, their appreciation of his character and service. He was old enough, unhappily, to remember a succession of chief constables in Birmingham, and he spoke of the sentiments of those who knew most intimately how Mr Farndale discharged his duties when he said that no officer who ever presided over the police force had ever discharged his duties with more courtesy, with less friction, and with ore ability. They all knew how easy it was to cause annoyance in the discharge of delicate and responsible duties as those which pertained to the chief of police. They had the proof of it very recently in London, where something of a social revolution was threatened by the friction – he did not say whether what was done was right or not – which took place between the police and the civilians. They had never experienced anything of the sort since Mr Farndale came amongst them. There had been the utmost good feeling, and it was well not only that the law should be respected, but that its administration should be so gentle it was scarcely felt or seen. Then, with respect to the regulation of the streets, none of them could fail to see the improvement as regarded safety of persons crossing the streets at crowded points through the organisation of the traffic and the invariable courtesy with which the police were ready to ‘help the lame dog’ across. Then take another matter, the dispersion of large assemblies on a wet night from the town hall. What a chaos it used to be, and how almost impossible for those in charge of ladies to get away. Now, however, they simply handed a card to a policeman, it was taken in the most polite way, and their carriage was found without disorder or delay. Within Mr Farndale’s household – the police force – maters were admirably arranged, and a finer body of men it would be impossible to find. Even the London newspapers, who found fault with many things in Birmingham, and who were bound to say something nasty (laughter) never Said anything disparaging of the police. (Hear, hear). In the proceedings the other day the most prominent feature was the martial bearing and action of the police force. Mr Farndale had already received from the members of his force a recognition of his kindliness of spirit and the good feeling which prevailed between him and those under his command. The present meeting, which might be taken as representative of the whole town, testified to the general appreciation of the way in which he had conducted his difficult and delicate duties, and they echoed the hope expressed that Mr Farndale may regain as much health and strength as he previously enjoyed, and that he might long be spared to discharge the duties of his important office, (Applause). The Chairman, in conclusion, handed over to Mr Farndale the cheque for Ł405, and expressed regret that Mrs Farndale was not able to be present to receive the beautiful bouquet which it had been intended to present to her. Mr Farndale, in reply, said that he had not ben altogether ignorant of the fact that some presentation was to be made to him, but he was greatly surprised at the extent to which the movement had been taken up. He thanked the committee and subscribers most sincerely and he thanked Mr Jeffray not only for occupying the chair and for the too flattering words he had uttered concerning himself, but for the way he had spoken of the police force. He was very proud pf the Birmingham Police, and he was greatly pleased t find that pride was shared by a very large number of the inhabitants of the city. There had been some misapprehension current with regard to the number of case in which men were reported against, especially for drunkenness; but he was glad to say that whereas some years ago the reports every year amounted to several hundreds, last year, with an augmented force, the number of offences for which members of the police force were reported were just brought down to two figures, being only 99. He fully endorsed what had been said as to the manner in which the force performed their duties. They could have no greater proof that they discharged their duties intelligently than the fact that fir the last two or three years – certainly two, if not more – they had not had a single complaint or action brought against any constable for illegal arrest or illegal search, although they were often called upon at a moment’s notice to decide cases which some of his friends, who were lawyers, would want a little time to consider. It had been his lot to receive testimonials on several occasions but they had been parting gifts by the sorrow of saying ‘goodbye’. He was glad that feature was not characteristic of the present occasion. He thanked those of all classes, from the lord lieutenant and high sheriff down to the most humble citizens, who had expressed sympathy for hum in his illness; and he echoed the chairman’s hope that he might be spared to serve the people of Birmingham, who had never lost an opportunity of showing him kindness, and who had evinced so generous an appreciation of his services. On the motion of the Rev Canon Wilkinson, seconded by Dr Lawson Tait, a vote of thanks was passed to the chairman and to the two hon secretaries, and the proceedings terminated. Mr Farndale has received from an anonymous contributor, signed himself ‘a friend’, the sum of five guineas, which the donor said he should have been pleased to have added to the private list if he had been aware of it at the time. (Birmingham Daily Post).

 

Bromsgrove and Droitwich Messenger, 17 August 1889:

 

DEATH OF INSPECTOR CHECKETTS

 

The police who attended numbered more than one hundred, including superintendents, inspectors, sergeants and constables, and Mr Farndale (the Chief Constable). The funeral cortege was headed by the police band

 

 

Dudley Mercury, 31 August 1889:

 

Amongst the visitors of Droitwich, who are taking the brine baths, are … Mr Farndale (chief of the Birmingham Police) and many others of lesser note.

 

 

Birmingham daily Post, 5 November 1889

 

PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO CHILDREN

 

The annual meeting of the Birmingham Branch of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children was held yesterday … With regard to Mr Farndale, he was pleased he had recovered from his recent illness, and was gratified to find that he had given good assistance to the society (cheers).

 

 

Birmingham Mail, 19 March 1890:

 

THE POLICE AND THE EIGHT HOURS SYSTEM

 

The part played by the police forces of the country in the public affairs is so important that any question bearing upon the administration of their official duties becomes a matter in which all law abiding citizens should not only take a interest, but if necessary, their opinion should be earnestly consulted. We have now before us the fact that a section of our police force is agitating for a return to the old system of duty viz, that of performing the entire eight hours duty straight off the reel, thus leaving the remaining sixteen hours at their disposal … The discussion at the Council meeting clearly showed that this satisfactory feature of administration s the result of the system instituted by Mr Farndale

 

Birmingham Daily Post, 31 May 1890

 

POLICEMEN’S HOURS

 

The debate in the City Council on the management of the police force has not, as it may h=be supposed to have done, settled the question … The long duty system was in force during the greater art of Major Bond’s term of headship; the short duty system was introduce by Mr Farndale seven years ago. Its introduction was marked by the concession of a day’s leave per month, and thus was in the nature of a compensation … The chief motive of the agitation is to obtain a longer spell off duty … The sole question which has to be considered by the management of the force is as to the effect upon discipline, physique and general efficiency; and as soon as this question is raised the case against the long duty system appears to be very strong. The Watch Committee and the Chief Constable seem, at all events, to be agreed upon this point,. It was this consideration which induced Mr Farndale eight years ago to recommend the abandonment of the system. He was struck by an absence of smartness in the appearance of the men, especially of those who were doing an early spell of duty from 6am to 2pm. It occurred to him that, supporting the men were sensible enough in every case to make a temperate use of their sixteen hours freedom, it was hardly probable that they would get a warm meal before starting out so early in the morning, or find very much time for brushing up their uniforms

 

Staffordshire Chronicle, 27 September 1890:

 

DALRY THE DYNAMITARD

A STARTLING STORY

 

On Monday, Mr W T Bryan, secretary of the demonstration which took place in Tipperary on Sunday to protest against the treatment to which Mr John Daly and his fellow prisoners have been subjected in Chatham gaol, received a letter from Mr William O’Brien MP … I have for some time been in communication with an English gentleman of much eminence in Birmingham, who has discovered startling proofs that John Daly is the victim of a plot organised by emissaries of the Irish Constabulary. Hus authority for this terrible charge is no less a personage than the chief constable of one of the principal English cities, whose confession has been before the Home Secretary. It will be our duty to press for the fullest investigation of this horrible business, and to insist that pending such investigation there shall be no continuance of the barbaric system of prison torment revealed in the evidence before the late unfairly constituted commission. …

 

Alderman Manton’s statement, so far as the conviction of Daly is concerned, is briefly as follows: He states that a few weeks after the trial at Warwick, Mr Farndale, the Chief Constable of Birmingham, told him – Alderman Manton puts it that Mr Farndale came to him to unburden himself of a secret that was truly troubling his conscience – that the explosives found on Daly when he was arrested had been planted on him by an agent in the employ of the Irish police; that Daly and Egan were maintained for some time previous to their arrest by money supplied to them by this agent; that it was he who made an appointment with Daly to hand over the bombs; that he did in fact give Daly the bombs at Stafford station; and that the police, acting on instructions, allowed this agent to escape. Alderman Manton alleges that he has evidence in his possession, which not only confirms the statements which he alleges were made by Mr Farndale, but which points to the absolute innocence of Daly. It is on these grounds that he has been agitating either for an inquiry or for the quiet release of the prisoners.

 

Mr Farndale’s position in the matter is rather plain. There is a distinct conflict of statement between him and Alderman Manton as to the circumstance under which first communication was made. Mr Farndale, we believe, declares that he informed Alderman Manton of the employment of the agent, not in any way as a confession, but merely as a repetition, at Alderman Manton’s solicitation. Of a statement which Mr Farndale, in the absence through illness of the alderman, had already made to the Watch Committee. Mr Farndale told the watch Committee, and subsequently Alderman Manton, that he entertained the gravest objections to the methods which the Irish police had employed in obtaining the conviction, and that had he known at the outset of the extent to which the agent provocateur had been employed he would have declined all connection with the case. These options Mr Farndale still holds, but he has never stated, as alleged by Mr John O’Connor, that “the whole thing was a put up job”; nor has he expressed any doubt as to the justice of Daly’s conviction … In justice to Mr Farndale it should be stated that bot a shadow of responsibility attaches to him for the employment of this agent. Mr Farndale’s duty in the matter was simply to obey the directions of the Irish police in charge of the case, and it was not until a very late period that he knew the methods to which he objected were employed

 

Dis Express, 3 October 1890:

 

THE CONVICT DALY

 

In view of the agitation for the reconsideration of the case of John Daly, the dynamtard, who was sentenced to penal servitude for life for treason felony, and is now an inmate at Chatham Convict Prison, it may be mentioned that he was tried at the Warwickshire Assizes in July 1884, by Mr Justice Hawkins….

 

Soon after the conviction Mr Manton began his correspondence, writing among others to Mr Gladstone, then Prime Minister, and Mr Parnell, but his letters led to no result …From Mr Parnell no reply whatever was received, but Mr Manton explains this by alleging that his letter to that gentleman was intercepted in the Post Office and never received by the addressee. He draws this conclusion from the fact that Mr Farndale, chief of the Birmingham police, and a borough magistrate, mentioned to him that he had been writing to Mr Parnell, a circumstance of which they had become informed in some mysterious manner. An easier explanation is that these gentlemen had learnt of the circumstances from Mr Edwards, to whom My Manton had stated he had written …

 

In support of Manton’s request for Daly’s release, he submitted the following narrative of a conversation he had with the chief of the Birmingham police: “Mr Farndale soke as follows. ‘Mr Alderman Manton, you will be surprised  when I tell you hat the explosives found on Daly were planted on him by the police.’ I said ‘Can it be possible?’ Mr F replied ‘It was really so.’ I said ‘Are you absolutely certain?’ Mr F said ‘I am’, adding ‘and I promise you that I will never engage in another such business as long as I live’.

 

… It appears that Mr Farndale told the Birmingham Watch Committee, and subsequently Alderman Manton, that he entertained the gravest objections to the methods which the Irish police had employed in obtaining the conviction, and that had he known from the outset of the extent to which the agent provocateur had been employed he would have declined all connection with the Case. These opinions Mr Farndale still holds, but he has never stated, as alleged by Mr John O’Connor that “the whole thing was a put up job”, or has he expressed ay doubt as to the justice of Daly’s conviction. The whole question indeed, turns on the propriety of the employment of spies for the purpose for which the agent was used.

 

 

 

 

Much excitement has naturally been caused by the assertion of certain Irish members that Daly, the convicted dymamitard, who is present at Chatham gaol, is an innocent man. … According to the Birmingham Alderman’s statement made to Mr O’Brien, Chief Constable Farndale of that city was the official referred to as having a knowledge at the time of the dynamite “plant” put on Daly by an agent of the Irish constabulary. Mr Farndale, on the other hand, emphatically denies ever having stated that “the whole thing was a out up job” or having expressed any doubt as to the justice of Daly’s conviction. It is said that Chief Constable Farndale, of Birmingham, whose name has suddenly sprung not prominence, is far from being a likely man to strengthen the hands of the Irish party. Outside his district and as far away as Scotland Yard he is known as an experienced and zealous officer, and on several occasions he shared the honour with Chief Constable Malcolm Wood of Manchester with being mentioned as eorthy of the Chief Commissionership of the metropolis. He has risen from the ranks by sheer ability, and step by step fought his way to chief of the Leicester police, and from thence he went to fill a similar post in Birmingham.

 

(The Illustrated Weekly Telegraph, 4 October 1890 and Aberdeen Press and Journal, 8 October 1890)

 

1 June 1890

John Farndale, son of Samuel Sanders and Mary Farndale, was baptised at Egton.

By 1891

 

George Farndale, son of John and Susannah Farndale, was baptised at Egton. George was born around the time his father, a Farm Labourer, became an Ironstone Miner, so he would have witnessed quite a change in his young life, from the pastoral surroundings of Egton village to the hustle and bustle of Loftus, Yorkshire. His father must have been a quick learner, progressing to Mines Deputy in 10 years. George followed his father and other brothers into the ironstone mines, becoming, by 1911, a Blacksmith's Striker, living with his family at 19 Tees Street, East Loftus.

Samuel Sanders Farndale was an ironstone miner in Egton.

William Farndale (born 1859) was a tow missionary in Macclesfield, Cheshire.

Henry Farndale was a general labourer in York.

 

Birmingham Mail, 17 January 1891:

THE SHOPKEEPERS’ GRIEVANCE AGAINST THE POLICE

A meeting of the Birmingham and District Drapers’ Association was held at the Colonnade Hotel, New Street, yesterday. It was presided over by Mr Alfred Baker. The question of the police notice relating to the obsctructio of footpaths was discussed, and it was resolved that a sub committee consisting of officers of the association, and Messrs Roach, Bennion, W Oliver, Stevens and Atkinson, should wait upon Mr Farndale, to confer with him as to the threatened prosecutions in the matter. The deputation subsequently had a conference with Mr Farndale at the Council House, and laid the grievances of the trade before him. He gave assurance that no prosecutions should be instituted against any member of the trade without first communicating with the officers of the association.

Birmingham Mail, 4 August 1891:

MR FARNDALE AND THE DALY CASE

Only thirty nine members of Parliament were found to support Mr Redmond’s motion last night for the reconsideration of the sentences passed upon the dynamite convicts, Daly and Egan. Even the Irish members, with few exceptions, took a languid interest in this threadbare topic. ../. The dethroned Irish leader and his henchman, Mr Redmond, both made speeches which were stale repetitions of Alderman Manton’s contention that the dynamite bombs were planted upon Daly by an agent provocateur… He, of course, did not omit to embellish his case with the narrative of what Mr Farndale,. The Chief Constable of Birmingham, is supposed to have said to Alderman Manton … upon this more or less fictitious account of Mr Farndale’s interview with Alderman Manton was based the case for reconsideration of Daly and Egan’s sentence

Tenbury Wells Advertiser, 11 August 1891:

Having gone minutely into the matter, the Home Secretary asserted that there was not a little evidence to bear out Mr Farndale’s interference, which he reminded the House, was drawn in answer to a severe reproof administered by the Birmingham Watch Committee in regard to the carelessness of the Birmingham Police in allowing Daly to allude them

 

 

Birmingham Daily Post, 6 April 1892:

THE SALARIES OF MR FARNDALE AND SUPERINTENDENT TOZER

Mr Wilders submitted the report of the Watch Committee, and in accordance with its recommendation moved that the salary of Mr Farndale should increase from Ł800 to Ł900 per annum. He said the proposal had received the most careful consideration of the committee, who had come to the conclusion that it was simply an act of justice to a most energetic, efficient and experienced officer. Mr Farndale had been a policeman thirty years; he was forty none years of age, and one of the most energetic, experienced and efficient chief constables in the kingdom. He was a thorough disciplinarian, always kind and considerate to his men; and he possessed sound judgment and tact in a remarkable degree … Mr Farndale could if he hose leave the force tomorrow, and claim a pension of Ł532 per annum from the Police Superannuation Fund … Mr Stevens proposed as an amendment “That the increase of Mr Farndale’s salary be deferred until after November next in order that the ratepayers may have an opportunity of expressing their opinion on this … There was further debate.. The amendment only received 5 votes and the original motion was carried.

Swindon Advertiser, 4 June 1892:

RAILWAY ACCIDENT IN BIRMNGHAM

EXPRESSES IN COLLISION

A terrible railway accident happened shortly before five o’clock on Friday in Birmingham, two expresses making for the Derby junction at the end of the Lawley Street viaduct colliding at the points … The body was quickly removed to the Duke Street mortuary, when the full extent of the catastrophe was learned, the railway officials along with the Chief Constable (Mr Farndale), did everything they could to aid the injured passengers, who were sent to the General and Queen’s Hospital in cabs and other available vehicles

Birmingham Daily Post, 30 June 1892:

AN INPECUNIOUS CHARACTER.

Edwin Glover (40), a military looking man, of no occupation, was charged with obtaining two glasses of whisky and a cigar from George Hawthorne of the Malt Shovel Inn, and with consuming the same without having the means to pay for it … He later stated that he was Captain Glover and was well known to Mr Farndale

Birmingham Daily Post, 24 December 1982:

STRANGE CASE OF DISPUTED IDENTIFICATION

The Birmingham police have had to unravel during the last few days a singular question of identity relating to the body of a man … The man was a wire worker, and made fancy puzzles, bird cages and domestic nick nacks, and he lodged with a companion who followed the same avocation … He had been in business and had failed. This much was evident from the fact that his pockets contained an old cheque book, of which all the counterfoils but three were filled; and a pathetic commentary on the disaster by which he had been brought to take up peddling as a means of livelihood was supplied by an entry in his pocket book, which appeared to be the draft of a letter sent to his wife. It was in these words: “My own darling, I am utterly ruined. Good bye. God bless you forever. Your loving but heart broken …” Even the name appended to this touching farewell was illegible. … Yesterday, a few hours before the inquest opened, the Chief Constable (Mr Farndale) received from Inspector Stiggles, of Bow Street, the following telegram: “The body of man is that of M H Hay, whose friends reside at 39 Church Street, Kensington. Wife is now at Hastings, but family will send on as soon as possible to identify.” This information was forthcoming as the result of a visit to the bank in High Holborn, but it was manifestly not conclusive, since the deceased might not be the owner of the cheque book found in his possession

 

2 November 1892

Of Thomas William Farndale, aged 10:

Liverton Mines School, 2 November 1892 – Thomas Farndale, who has been in St 2 a few weeks, was put down into St 1 owing to dullness. The aforesaid boy, however, instead of obeying, walked out of school. He came again in the afternoon and resumed his place in St 2. On being told he could not be allowed there, but would have to go into St 1 he again walked out of the room. The master requainted the managers with the particulars of the case.

3 November. The boy mentioned above repeated his conduct of yesterday, today.

4 November. Today, the above boy walked quietly into standard 1 desks, and on being spoken to, spoke quite insolently to the master, and said he would do nothing. He has however done his work today.

20 March 1893

Meggy Farndale, daughter of Samuel Sanders and Mary Farndale, was baptised at Liverton Mines. Meggie Farndale married Franck V St L Trevor in the Guisbrough area in 1912. They had a son, Arthur. Meggie Trevor died aged 73 and was buried in Loftus cemetery in 1966.

 

Shields Daily News, 10 February 1893:

THE PROPOSED AMNESTY – MR REDMOND’S AMENDMENT

Mr JOHN REDMOND, resuming the debate on the Address, moved his amendment humbly representing to Her Majesty that the time had come when the cases of all prisoners under the Treason Felons Act who are and have been many years undergoing punishment for offences arising out of insurrectory movements connected with Ireland may be advantageously reconsidered …He especially instanced the case of Day, as to whom, he recalled the statement of Mr Farndale, of the Birmingham police, who had informed the local Watch Committee that it was in his knowledge that the explosives found in Daly’s possession were ‘planted’ upon him.

Mr CLANCY seconded the motion. He joined in the expression of the belief that Daly was an innocent man. Did the Chief Secretary or the Home Secretary believe that if Mr Farndale had given the evidence at the trial in Warwick which he and given since, Daly would have been convicted? …

IMPORTAT SPEECH BY THE HOME SECRETARY

Mr ASQUITH, in replying on behalf of the Government, assured the mover that he entertained no fear that the action which had been taken would embarrass the Government,. The Government welcomed the opportunity to speak plainly on the subject (Ministerial cheers) … A number of documents were found at Daly’s lodgings, showing he was undoubtedly a member of the Irish Republican Brotherhood, and had taken an active part in its proceedings. Daly was released after eight and a half years penal servitude because he had had sufficient punishment …

Mr POWELL WILLIAMS said that Mr Farndale had told him he did not believe the bombs were placed upon Daly by an agent provocateur. The statement of the Home Secretary would be welcomed by the whole country

Col NOLAN said .. The reason why successive Governments had refused to investigate Mr Farndale’s statement that the bombs were placed in Daly’s possession was the fear that if proved it would be a very great scandal against the English police

The House then divided, when there were:

For Mr Redmond’s Amendment – 81

Against – 397

Government majority: 316

In another more detailed report on the parliamentary proceedings in the Birmingham Daily Post, 10 February 1893:

Mr ASQUITH … Now I will deal in a sentence or two with Mr Farndale. I have no jurisdiction of any sort or kind over him. He is a servant of the Birmingham Corporation. Mr Farndale has been questioned as to the statement Alderman Manton attributed to him, and he has declared it to be purely imagination. If so, what becomes of the suggested testimony of Mr Farndale that Daly was a victim of the police. The truth is Mr Farndale, who was the head of the police, was considerably annoyed that the arrest of Daly, in whose innocence at the time he did not believe, should have been procured not by the Birmingham, but by the Irish police …

The Scotsman, 23 January 1893:

 

THE IRISH PRISONERS – RELEASE OF EGAN

 

James Frances Egan was, by order of the Home Secretary on Saturday afternoon released from Portland Prison, where he had been a convict for several years past … James Frances Egan arrived in Birmingham at 1.43 this (Sunday) afternoon). In London, on Saturday evening, he visited the National Liberal Club … He was very reticent towards the representatives of the press, but expressed his indebtedness to the Irish political party for their efforts towards his release, and especially he is grateful to Ald Manton and Mr Farndale for the part he understood they had taken 

 

South Wales Daily News, 25 January 1893:

 

RELEASE OF POLITICAL PRISONERS

INTERVIEW WITH J F EGAN

SENSATIONAL STATEMENTS

WHY HE WAS IMPRISONED

CLAIMS TO BE “VICTIM OF A POLICE PLOT”

… I never despaired, because I knew perfectly well that what I had heard of the disclosures by Alderman Manton, and the action taken by Mr Farndale in honestly exposing the affair, would bring the public to see that a gross injustice had been done to me

 

York Herald, 18 February 1893:

 

JOHN DALY

 

Mr W REDMOND asked the Home Secretary if he would order a fresh investigation into the allegations made against the police by Alderman Manton, and question Mr Farndale, the Chief Constable of Birmingham upon the subject.

MR ASQUITH said so far as the matter was a personal one affecting Alderman Manton and Chief Constable Farndale, he had no right to interfere, so far as it affected the innocence or otherwise of Daly, the allegations had already been fully investigated, with the result which he stated to the House the other night (hear, hear).

Mr W REDMOND asked the right hon gentleman whether, in view of the opinions held by 80 Irish members out of 103, he would have a personal interview with Mr Farndale, and grant a fresh investigation into the case.

Mr ASQUITH did not think any useful purpose would be served by his having a personal interview with Mr Farndale. He was in possession of all the facts of the case.

Mr J REDMOND gave notice that in Committee of Supply he would press for further investigation.

 

Derbyshire Times and Chesterfield Herald, 29 July 1893

 

Deaths

 

FARNDALE – on the 18th inst, at the house of her cousin, Mrs Hodgson, at Stockton on Tees, Jane, wife of Joseph Farndale, Chief Constable of Birmingham, formerly chief constable of Chesterfield.

 

Northern Guardian (Hartlepool), 21 July 1893:

 

SUDDEN DEATH AT STOCKTON

 

Mrs Farndale, wife of Joseph Farndale, chief constable of Birmingham, died suddenly yesterday at Stockton. The deceased lady had been in ill health for some months, and had been in medical treatment in London. About a fortnight ago she came to visit some friends who live in Yarm Lane, Stockton. She had a relapse yesterday afternoon and suddenly died. The deceased lady was 53 years of age.

 

Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail, 21 July 1893:

 

The Stockton police received information last night of the sudden death of Mrs Farndale, the wife of the Chief Constable of Birmingham. The deceased lady, it is stated, had been in ill health for some months past, and went to Stockton to stay with some friends.

 

1894

Birmingham Daily Post, 24 January 1894:

 

A STRING OF OBJECTIONS

 

Mr Stanbury Eardley appeared at the Birmingham Police Court, yesterday, for Herbert Brooks, of Osler Street, cabman, summoned under the city bye laws for not being constantly in attendance on his cab at a public stand in Bath Row … Having elicited that the summons was taken out by Mr Farndale the chief constable), Mr Eardley urged that the informant ought to appear either in person or by counsel or attorney. On being told that the usual course was being followed, he replied, “The ramshackle procedure followed here does not affect me… Mr Eardley then said that he must call for the report on which the summons was applied for, but was told that he must subpoena Mr Farndale to produce it

 

 

Birmingham Daily Post, 20 February 1894:

 

NEW CENTRAL POLICE OFFICES

 

The Central Police Offices in Corporation Street adjoining the Victoria Courts, are rapidly approaching completion, and in a few days the removal of the scaffolding will give an uninterrupted view of the building … The police offices are entered into by the first door in Newton Street, opening into an entrance hall, which is to be fitted with benches for the convenience of that portion of the general public who may have business at the offices. From the hall, doors open to the rooms to be occupied by Mr Farndale and by Superintendent Wilcox and the clerks and a lobby adjoining the hall leads to the general store room and other apartments. An elaborately constructed staircase from the hall gives access to the first floor, where accommodation is found for the detective department

 

Birmingham Daily Post, 9 March 1894:

 

ALLEGED MILITARY SCANDAL IN BIRMNGHAM

 

There are indications that the closing days of the Bagot Street Factory as a Government Establishment will be attended with some excitement. It is alleged that for a long period certain officials of the factory have been receiving pecuniary premiums from workmen applying for situations there, and that the practice having come to the attention of the war Office, Lieutenant and Quartermaster Locke and Sergeant-major Murray have been placed under arrest pending an investigation by court martial. Locke and Murray have been in charge of the corps of armourers from which men are selected from time to time to act as armourers to the various regiments – positions for which, on account of their remunerative character, there is a great deal of competition … The greatest secrecy had to be observed in the conduct of the enquiry, which was placed in the hands of Colonel King-Harman. He was advised by the Secretary of State for War to seek the aid of the Chief Constable,. Mr Farndale was made acquainted with the nature of the complaints, and the assistance he offered was readily accepted

 

Morning Post, 14 March 1894

 

THE TREASON FELONY PRISONERS

 

MR REDMOND … Having referred to the fact that Mr Farndale, the Chief Constable of Birmingham, was still of the opinion that the explosives found on the prisoner Daly had been ‘planted’ upon him by an agent in the pay of the Irish police, the hon and learned member said he had an entirely new case to bring under the notice of the Home Secretary. It was that of a man called Curtin Kent, a labourer and an illiterate man, who could not by any possibility have been a principal in the dynamite conspiracy … He was put on trial with the other me and, although the only evidence against him was that he had written to Gallagher and got Ł5 from him, he was convicted and sentenced to penal servitude for life …

 

MR ASQUITH reminded the Hose that the general considerations which affected this question were fully debated a year ago, when he expressed at considerable length and in much detail the views of her Majesty’s Government. …

 

 

Aberdeen Evening Express, 25 April 1894:

 

A “MOOSTONE” MYSTERY IN REAL LIFE

 

By a curious combination of chances a valuable diamond which was lost more than 20 years ago at Birmingham has been discovered, and is now in the possession of Mr Farndale, the chief constable. Some days ago one of the workmen in the employ of Messrs Taunton, safe manufacturers, was engaged in repairing a safe, and came across a piece of paper in which was a large diamond, estimated to be worth at least Ł100….

 

Birmingham Daily Post, 16 July 1894:

 

LIFEBOAT SATURDAY IN BIRMINGHAM

 

The procession was timed to leave Cambridge Street at half past two, and a quarter of an hour later the signal was given, and Mr Farndale led the way through the centre of the city … The streets were lined by two hundred police officers, who, together with the one hundred in procession, had volunteered for the duty. Mr Farndale was in command … The streets were crowded with people … and it was often with great difficulty that Mr Farndale and his mounted officers could force their way through

 

Birmingham Daily Gazette, 28 July 1894:

 

A MISCARRIAGE OF JUSTICE

 

The Home Secretary has given his decision in the case of George Frederick Burbidge, who was convicted in March last of a theft of a sovereign by means of a trick. Burbidge was arrested on information given by a servant, who swore his identity. He protested that the girl was mistaken and set up an alibi, which did not, however satisfy the court … The Home Secretary was of the opinion that the pardon should be allowed.

 

His solicitor wrote that his client wished to publicly express his gratitude … and lastly to Mr Joseph Farndale (Chief of Police) for the exhaustive inquiries he caused to be made, and which largely contributed to the eminently satisfactory conclusion of this extraordinary case

 

Birmingham Daily Gazette, 18 August 1894

 

ROYAL VISIT TO BIMIRNGHAM

 

All the arrangements for the visit to Birmingham of their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of York on September 8 are ow completed … Their Royal Highnesses will arrive at the city boundaries on the Castle Bromwich Road at noon, and will be met by an escort of the 17th lancers, the Chief Constable (Mr Farndale), and mounted police

 

1895

 

Birmingham Daily Post, 18 January 1895:

 

THE SUSPENDED POLICE OFFICERS

 

The manner in which the case against the landlord of the Edgbaston Brewery Tavern, Lee Bank Road, dismissed by the magistrates on Wednesday, was got up by the police will on Monday be the subject of an investigation by the Judicial sub committee, who will report to the Watch Committee, and will probably also communicate with the Treasury. At the conclusion of the case on Wednesday, Mr Wilcox, the deputy chief constable, who was present during the magisterial censure, ordered the officers engaged in the case to proceed to the Chief Constable’s office. The circumstances were briefly narrated to Mr Farndale, who forthwith suspended Inspector Parker and Police Constables Nicholls (69B) and Flattery. The discrediting of the evidence of the police in a case of this kind is particularly unfortunate at the present moment.

 

The Stage on 25 April 1895 reported that during the Shakespeare Birth week, Joseph Farndale was a guest at the Shakespeare Commemoration Dinner in connection with the Birmingham Dramatic and Literary Club held at the Midland Hotel, New Street, Birmingham. The Shields Daily Gazette on 30 April 1895 reported that at the same dinner, when ‘Dagonet’ was unable to find a gold pencil lent by Captain Rodgers of the Prince of Wales’ Theatre and wanted to make a note in a hurry, then Mr Farndale, the amiable Chief Constable of Birmingham kindly lent me his, and I lost that somewhere, and then my old friend Mr Wight the postmaster, lent me his, and I mislaid that, and so it came about that when the time arrived for me to speak I had borrowed and secreted about me some half dozen gold pencil cases, I had made notes all over my menu and backs of envelopes collected from the company, and not one word that I had written was I able to read.

 

The Birmingham Daily Post, 25 April 1895 reported that Joseph Farndale was a guest at the inspection of the new smallpox hospital at Little Bromwich.

 

(Whitby Gazette, 24 May 1895)

 

 

The Birmingham Gazette, 10 June 1895 reported the visit of His Highness the Shahzada, the second son of the Ameer of Afghanistan: In the central drive between Railway Stations, there was an escort of 25 mounted police, under the command of the Chief Constable (Mr Farndale).

 

 

Tamworth Herald, 9 November 1895:

 

The opening meet of the South Stafforshire Hounds took place on Tuesday at the cross roads, Bassett’s Pole. … Among those present at the start were …, Mr J Farndale

 

6 June 1896

The UK Medical Registers show that John William Farndale MRCS Eng, LRCP Lond was registered as a medical practitioner on 6 June 1896 and was living at 44 Hagley Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham in 1899; engaged in Suva, Fiji in 1903; and engaged by the Northern Rhodesia Medical Service in 1911 and 1919. In 1923 his address was c/o the Standard Bank of South Africa in London.

1896

Birmingham Mail, 4 February 1896:

 

THE HORSELESS CARRIAGE DIFFICULTY

BIRMINGHAM MANUFACTURERS FINED

 

At Solihull today … Gascoine & Co, horseless carriage builders was summoned as the owner of a locomotive used on the public highway for not having a person on foot preceding the locomotive by 20 yards as prescribed by section 3 of the Locomotives Act 1865, and section 29 of the Highways and Locomotives (Amendment) Act 1879.

 

Police Constable Clifton stated that on Saturday morning, the 22nd December, he was on duty in Stratford Road, Shirley, and saw a motor car, or horseless carriage, travelling in the direction of Birmingham. There was no one in front of it to warn the public of its approach. The vehicle was travelling at the rate of five or six miles an hour; and it made a certain amount of noise, and steam was issuing from an exhaust pipe at the rear …

 

As it was only within the last five years that the vehicle had been used in England, the Legislature could not in fact, or in imagination, have known of a horseless carriage when they formulated the Acts referred to, and therefore the regulations could not apply. …

 

Mr McCardie: Yes, and if you wanted to take a little trip of 30 or 40 miles, taking in the three neighbouring counties, it would cost you Ł30, besides the wages of the three men to drive, where only one is wanted, and another useless person to go in front.

 

The Clerk: Going as fast as it does too, the man in front would have to go on a bicycle (Laughter)

 

Mr McCardie: Oh yes, it is manifestly absurd. Fancy all the expense I have mentioned when the machine only costs a half penny per mile for propulsion. Besides, I notice that the tires would have to be no narrower than three inches, and that would spoil the vehicle altogether, I contend that it in no way answers the definition of a locomotive, and that the Bench are entitled to dismiss the summons. I may add that Mr Farndale, the chief of the Birmingham police, has stated that he would not allow any proceedings to be taken against such carriages

 

In the early 1890s the first cars to be driven on the roads in Britain were imported. In 1895, the first man to own and drive a car in Britain was Ebvelyn Ellis. It is estimated that by 1895, there were still only about 15 cars in Britain, imported from abroad. By 1900, the number had risen to about 700. Work to build the first motor car in Britain began in 1892 by Frederick Bremner, a gas fitter and plumber. His vehicle first ran on the public highway in 1894. Fords started to arrive in Britain from about 1908.

 

At the same time his nephew, Joseph Farndale, Chief Constable of Margate Police, was involved in a charge against a motor car driver for exceeding a speed of two miles per hour.

 

1897

 

Newcastle Chronicle, 22 February 1897:

 

Several Chief Officers of Police are cooperating with Mr Farndale, the Chief Constable of Birmingham, to get an Act passed this session in Parliament to obviate the defects of the present law in regard to the unlawful possession of property, and Sir JB Stone MP at Birmingham, has already obtained leave to introduce a Bill, which, I feel sure, will receive general support, for until the police are better armed than at present, they cannot, with any effect, suppress the large number of robberies which are annually committed in all large commercial centres.

 

1897 was the year of Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee, celebrating sixty years since her accession:

 

Linlithgowshire Gazette, 1 May 1897:

 

THE POLICE AND THE COMMEMORATION

 

A meeting of chief constables of counties, cities and boroughs in Great Britain was held on Saturday afternoon at the office of Mr Farndale, Chief Constable of Birmingham, to consider the most suitable form of celebrating the Queen’s reign. It was reported that the Scottish police had decided to join the national scheme … It was decided to draw up an illuminated address congratulating Her Majesty on her historic accomplishment

 

1898

 

Edinburgh Evening News, 12 January 1898:

 

FOOTBALL AND TEMPERANCE

 

Interviewed in reference to the marked increase of drunkenness in Birmingham, the Chief Constable, Mr Farndale, said that good wages had most to do with the increase. He had been struck by the fact that rainy Saturdays, which prevented indulgence in outdoor sports, usually meant a great increase in drunkenness. The popularity of football, generally speaking, has been the means of diverting a good deal of interest from the taproom.

 

Birmingham Daily Post, 18 March 1898:

SERIOUS ILLNESS OF MR FARNDALE

We regret to hear that Mr Farndale, Chief Constable of the city, is lying seriously ill at the Grand Hotel. An attack of chill or influenza contracted at the Charity Sports, on Wednesday week, was followed by pneumonia, and at one time his condition was considered critical. Under the care of Dr Hutchinson, the crisis was tided over, and, although very ill, Mr Farndale was yesterday reported to be out of danger. Late last night Mr Farndale was progressing very favourably.

Birmingham Mail, 18 March 1898:

THE ILLNESS OF THE CHIEF CONSTABLE

On enquiry at the Grand Hotel this morning, we were informed that Mr Farndale’s condition shows considerable improvement.

Edinburgh Evening News, 19 March 1898:

Mr J F Farndale, Chief Constable of Birmingham, is lying seriously ill.

Birmingham Mail, 6 December 1898:

THE ILLNESS OF THE CHIEF CONSTABLE

Further enquiries this morning show that the health of the Chief Constable (Mr J Farndale) has completely broken down, and it is likely that his stay at Bournemouth will extend up to Christmas. During his absence Superintendent McManus will have a general supervision of the districts, while Superintendent Morgan will have control of the inside office work.

Birmingham Daily Gazette, 29 December 1898:

It is gratifying to hear that the Chief Constable (M Farndale) has benefitted by his stay at Bournemouth, and that he will resume duty tomorrow.

 

1899

 

Birmingham Mail, 15 March 1899:

 

THE ILLNESS OF MR FARNDALE

 

On enquiry we learn that the Chief Constable was a little better this morning, and that the improvement which was noticeable was maintained tin the afternoon.

 

 

Derbyshire Times and Chesterfield Herald, 18 March 1899:

 

The health of Mr Joseph Farndale, the popular and brilliant Chief Constable of Birmingham, is causing the greatest anxiety. I earnestly hope to be able to report better new next week. Mr Farndale has many friends in Derbyshire, which he made when Chief Constable of Chesterfield.

 

Derbyshire Times, 8 April 1899:

 

I regret to hear that there is not much improvement in the health pf Chief Constable Farndale, of Birmingham.

 

Daily Gazette for Middlesbrough, 15 April 1899:

Mr Farndale, Chief Constable of Birmingham, is to be commiserated with on the curiously bad luck which is dogging him. He recovers from a serious illness, only to be involved in a carriage accident, which might have had dangerous results. Like Bret Harte’s miner, the Chief Constable has struck a streak of bad luck. Let us hope it will soon change.

The article refers to the novel by Bret Harte called The Luck of Roaring Camp.

 

Derbyshire Times, 22 April 1899:

 

Chief Constable Farndale of Birmingham, is so much improved in health as to be able to resume his police duties.

 

Birmingham Mail, 25 April 1899:

 

The Chief Constable (Mr Farndale) has been grated leave of absence for a month in order that he may take a holiday to recuperate his strength after the recent serious illness through which he has passed. While he is away his official duties will be discharged by Superintendent McManus, the acting Chief Constable.

 

 

Hull Daily Mail, 30 May 1899 (also reported in Dundee Courier, 30 May 1899):

 

Mr Joseph Farndale has resigned the Chief Constableship of Birmingham in consequence of ill health. He has occupied the post for 17 years.

 

Dundee Courier, 30 May 1899:

 

Mr Joseph Farndale, for seventeen years chief constable of Birmingham, in which office he followed Major Bond, has resigned his position owing to prolonged and serious ill health, which has necessitated frequent vacations in the last few years. His retirement allowance will be Ł500 per annum.

 

South Wales Daily News, 30 May 1899:

 

CHIEF CONSTABLE’S Ł600 A YEAR

 

Mr Joseph Farndale, for 17 years chief constable of Birmingham, in which office he followed Major Bond, formerly chief constable of Cardiff, has resigned his position owing to prolonged and serious ill health, which has necessitated frequent vacations in the last few years. Mr Farndale is a Yorkshire man, and commenced his police career in the ranks at 26. He was appointed chief constable of Chesterfield over a force of 17, and after three years became chief of police at Leicester, whence he went to Birmingham. His retirement allowance will be Ł600 per year.

 

Western Times 31 May 1899

 

The resignation of the Chief Constable of Birmingham (Mr Joseph Farndale) through ill health will cause a vacancy in a post to which a salary of Ł900 a year is attached. Like the Chief Constable of Exeter, and many of the best men at the head of the police force, he rose from the ranks. He was Chief Constable of Chesterfield at the age of 26. Mr Farndale’s reputation was enhanced by the breaking up of what was known as the Ledsam Street Dynamite Conspiracy. The arrest of Whitehead in Ledsam Street in 1883 and the subsequent capture of Daly and Egan in the same month are matters of history. In consequence of the part he played in the arrest of those men the Watch Committee, with the approval of the home secretary, increased Mr Farndale’s salary to Ł100 per annum. Sir William Harcourt, in writing to express his approval of the action of the Committee said, “I desire to testify the very high opinion I have formed of Mr Farndale, the Chief Constable of Birmingham, throughout the whole of this matter and in other transactions of a similar nature, in which I have received from him valuable assistance.”

 

Leeds Times, 3 June 1899

 

Mr Joseph Farndale has resigned the Chief Constableship of Birmingham in consequence of ill health. He has occupied the post for 17 years.

 

Manchester Evening News, 5 July 1899

 

The Chief Constableship of Birmingham. The Birmingham Watch Committee yesterday received tabulated statements concerning the applicants for the chief constableship of the city. There are exactly 50 applicants, and it is a notable fact that over half of them are gentlemen whose only qualification appears to be a military training. Among the candidates is Mr Farndale (FAR00463), the chief constable of York, a nephew of Mr Joseph Farndale, the retiring chief. …

 

Manchester Evening News, 8 July 1899

 

The vacant Chief Constableship of Birmingham. The judicial sub-committee of the Birmingham Watch Committee yesterday held a special meeting to consider the applications – exactly 50 in number – for the office of Chief Constable, rendered vacant by the resignation of Mr Joseph Farndale. The proceedings which were conducted in private, lasted upwards of an hour, and at the conclusion it was stated that eight gentlemen had been selected to attend personally before a further meeting of the sub-committee, to be held next Friday, when the final choice will in all probability be made :- The eight applicants in question were … Joseph Farndale, 35, Chief Constable of York  (FAR00463) …

 

Manchester Evening News, 17 July 1899 (also reported in Lincolnshire Chronicle 21 July 1899 and Edinburgh Evening News, and Dundee Evening Telegraph 17 July 1899)

 

Appointment of the Chief Constable for Birmingham. The Birmingham Watch Committee at a special meeting this morning appointed Mr GH Rafter, Chief Constable of the City. Mr Rafter who is 42 years of age, has been District Inspector of the Royal Irish Constabulary at Boyle. The appointment was vacant owing to the retirement of Mr Joseph Farndale through ill health. Mr Rafter has had 16 years’ Irish police experience.

 

So on Joseph Farndale’s resignation as Chief Constable of Birmingham through ill health, his nephew, also Joseph Farndale (FAR00463) was shortlisted amongst eight to succeed his uncle, but in the event Sir Charles Haughton Rafter was appointed.

 

Birmingham Mail, 9 September 1899:

 

HEALTH OF MR FARNDALE

 

It is reported that the health of Mr Farndale, ex Chief Constable of Birmingham, is still in a state which causes anxiety. He is at present staying near Blackpool.

 

Stockton Herald, 16 September 1899:

 

The health of ex Chief Constable Farndale, of Birmingham, who is staying at the hydro, near Blackpool, has not improved on the unsatisfactory state we reoorted some time back. It is still such as to give his friends cause for anxiety.

 

Birmingham Mail, 21 October 1899:

 

The late Chief Constable, Mr Farndale. Has returned to Birmingham from Blackpool. He contemplates taking up his residence in the city, I understand, and is at present residing in Calthorpe Road. His health is now much better than it has been lately. The presentation which the police purpose making him will assume the form of a dog carty, an easy chair, and an illuminated address in book form. The presentation will, in all probability, be made next week.

 

1900

 

Birmingham Daily Post, 4 July 1900:

 

MR FARNDALE. Mr J Farndale. The late chief constable of Birmingham, has just returned from Bournemouth, and is staying at the Hollies, Sutton Coldfield.

 

By 1901

John Farndale Junior was an ironstone mines deputy at Loftus.

 

Samuel Sanders Farndale was an ironstone miner in Egton.

 

William Farndale (born 1859) was a baker and confectioner in Chorlton, Lancashire.

 

William Edward Farndale and Joseph Farndale, his sons, were both clerks.

 

John William Farndale (born 1876) was an ironstone miner filler in Loftus.

 

Thomas William Farndale was a blast furnace labourer in Loftus.

 

1901

 

Margaret Gwendoline Farndale, daughter of John William and Annie Farndale, was born in Fife, Scotland. Margaret was a bank clerk at the London Joint City and Midland Bank in Willesden, Middlesex in 1921. She married HSN Hulton in Pancras, London in 1924.

 

30 June 1901

 

Joan Edna Murray Farndale, daughter of John William and Annie Farndale, was born in Fife, Scotland. Joan married Edward Lee at Pancras, London in 1925 and she was an advertising secretary in Croydon in 1939, her husband Edward Lee was a commercial traveller. She died in Worthing, West Sussex in 1993.

 

8 August 1901

Joseph Farndale, formerly Chief Constable of Birmingham (Joseph Farndale’s uncle), died and is buried at Witton Cemetery in Birmingham.

 

Coventry Evening Telegraph, 8 August 1901:

 

DEATH OF MR FARNDALE

 

BIRMINGHAM’S LATE CHIEF CONSTABLE

 

The death is announced of Mr Joseph Farndale, late Chief Constable of Birmingham. He died at Sutton Coldfield early this morning. Mr Farndale retired two years ago. He was Chief Constable at the time of the Egan Conspiracy, in which Egan, Daly and Gallagher were concerned.

 

 

Manchester Evening News, 8 August 1901

 

DEATH OF EX CHIEF CONSTABLE OF BIRMINGHAM

 

The death is announced of Mr Joseph Farndale, late Chief Constable of Birmingham. He died at Sutton Coldfield this morning. Mr Farndale retired two years ago. He was Chief Constable at the time of the Fenian conspiracy, in which Egan, Daly, and Gallagher were concerned. The American papers alleged that Mr Farndale and the then chief detective hatched the plot artificially, but Daly confessed this was nonsensical.

 

Bradford Daily Telegraph, 9 August 1901:

 

DEATH OF EX CHIEF CONSTABLE FARNDALE

 

Mr Joseph Farndale, ex chief constable of Birmingham, died yesterday, at his residence, Sutton Coldfield. Mr Farndale was a Yorkshireman, and joined the North Riding Police Force at the age of nineteen. He was subsequently appointed Chief Constable of Leicester, which position he held for ten years. He then succeeded Major Bond as Chief Constable of Birmingham, and was superannuated in 1899. Mr Farndale’s nephew, Mr Joseph Farndale, is Chief Constable of Bradford.

 

Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser, 9 August 1901

 

OBITUARY

 

Mr Joseph Farndale, who retired from the Chief Constableship of Birmingham a couple of years ago on account of health, after nearly 20 years service, died yesterday at Sutton Coldfield. He first joined the force in the West Riding of Yorkshire, and at the age of 26 was appointed Chief Constable of Chesterfield. Two years after he was appointed Chief of Leicester, and 10 years afterwards was appointed to Birmingham.

 

Nottingham Evening Post, 9 August 1901:

 

OBITUARY

 

MR JOSEPH FARNDALE

 

The death is announced of Mr Joseph Farndale, late Chief Constable of Birmingham. He died at Sutton Coldfield yesterday morning. Mr Farndale retired two years ago. He was Chief Constable at the time of the Fenian Conspiracy in which Egan, Daly and Gallagher were concerned, and American papers have alleged that Mr Farndale hatched the plot artificially. As Daly confessed however, this was nonsensical. He first joined the force in the West Riding of Yorkshire, and at the age of 26 was appointed Chief Constable of Chesterfield. Two years later he was appointed Chief of Leicester, and ten years afterwards was a[pointed to Birmingham.

 

Sunderland Daily Echo and Shipping Gazette, 9 August 1901

 

Mr Joseph Farndale, who retired from the Chief Constableship of Birmingham a couple of years ago after nearly 20 years service, died yesterday at Sutton Coldfield. He discovered the dynamite plot in Birmingham.

 

Gloucester Citizen, 9 August 1901

 

Personal Gossip. … Mr Joseph Farndale, who from 1882 to 1899 occupied the position of Chief Constable of Birmingham, died on Thursday.

 

Gloucester Citizen, 13 August 1901

 

The funeral of Mr Joseph Farndale, formerly Chief Constable of Birmingham, took place on Monday at Witton Cemetery, amid every outward manifestation of respect and sympathy. About 200 Birmingham policemen attended.

 

 

Birmingham Mail, 23 October 1901:

 

At a meeting of the Watch Committee today, a letter was read from Mr J Farndale, Chief Constable at Bradford, thanking the committee for the resolution of condolence in respect to the death of the late Mr Joseph Farndale.

 

See his web page for more detailed obituaries.

 

1 November 1901

 

(Whitby Gazette, 1 November 1901)

 

29 December 1901

 

Graphical user interface

Description automatically generated

(Sutton Coldfield News, 29 December 1901)

 

16 March 1907

 

John William Farndale (born 1876) married Elizabeth Ann Simpson in Loftus.

 

His father, John Farndale, was a miner.

 

1908

 

Thomas William Farndale married Christie Ann Dixon in the Guisborough area, probably at Loftus.

16 February 1909

 

William Farndale (born 1859) died in Chorlton, aged 50. Poor William hanged himself leaving a tragic note.

1 February 1909

 

Alice Jane Farndale, daughter of John William and Elizabeth Ann Farndale, was born in Upton Cottages, Loftus. Alice married Cyril Goodwin in Whitby in 1932 who by 1939 was assisting his father in law, John William Farndale at Lamplands Farm, Egton. Alice died in 1989 in Northallerton.

 

 

29 March 1909

 

Leslie Farndale, daughter of Thomas William and Christie Ann Farndale, was born in Loftus. Leslie Farndale married Ellen Sanders in 1943 and Irene Marriott in 1950 in Nottingham. Leslie and Irene had a family of six and he was Founder of the Nottingham 1 Line.

 

About 1911

 

Polly Farndale, daughter of Thomas William and Christie Ann Farndale, was born in Loftus. She married Francis Stephenson in 1933. She died in Huddersfield on 6 February 1969.

By 1911

 

Samuel Sanders Farndale was a miner in Loftus.

 

Joseph Farndale, son of William Farndale (born 1859) was a clerk in Rushmore, South Manchester.

 

John William Farndale (born 1876) was a milk seller in Loftus.

 

George Farndale (who would be killed in action in the First World War six years later) was a blacksmith striker in Loftus.

 

John Farndale (born 1890) was a butcher in Loftus.

 

1911

 

Joseph Farndale (born 1883) married Minnie Hughes in Chorlton, Lancashire.

1 May 1911

 

Samuel Sanders Farndale was buried at Loftus cemetery, aged 56.

1912

 

Madge Farndale, daughter of Joseph and Minnie Farndale, was born in Chorlton, Manchester. She married Raymond Mell in Patrington in 1934. Raymond became a senior test room assistant with Hull Electricity Department and Testing Electrical Measuring, Auxiliary Fire Service. Madge Mell died in Beverley in 1981.

 

10 November 1912

 

Susannah Farndale, wife of John Farndale Junior, died and was buried in Loftus.

5 December 1912

 

John Farndale (born 1890) marred Hannah May Temple in the Guisborough area.

1913

 

Ethel Farndale, daughter of Thomas William and Christie Ann Farndale, was born in Loftus. She died the same year.

 

Jack Farndale, son of Joseph and Minnie Farndale, was born in Prestwich, Lancashire. He died aged 2 in Chester in 1915.

 

20 January 1913

 

Doris Susannah Farndale, daughter of John William and Elizabeth Ann Farndale, was born in Upton, northeast of Loftus.  In 1940, she married Ronald Simpson in the Whitby area, perhaps at Egton. She died in 2001.

1 June 1913

 

Irene Farndale, daughter of John and Hannah Farndale, was born in the Guisborough area.

1914

 

William Derrick Farndale, son of Joseph and Minnie Farndale, was born in Mobberley, Cheshire. William was a motor fitter and tractor driver who was a Sergeant and patrol commander of the Withensea Patrol in the Second World War. He married Lily Peck in 1942 and they had two children. He is the Founder of the Holderness Line.

 

14 May 1915

 

There was a Cadet Private Farndale taking parts in a sports competition organised by the 1st Cadet Battery, North Riding Battery, Whitby Cadets, which mustered at the Headquarters and marched via Ruswarp to Briggswath. Private Farndale (cadet) was in the junior team competing in the three legged race.

 

(Whitby Gazette, 14 May 1915)

 

3 October 1914

 

Alice Farndale, daughter of Thomas William and Christie Ann Farndale, was born in Liverton Mines. She married Jack Hogarth in 1943. She died in 1983.

1 March 1916

 

Private John Farndale, 385th (Mechanical Transport) Company, Royal Army Service Corps enlisted. His Medical Record showed that he was 5 ft 8.75 inches and 150 lbs. On 10 February 1917 he was certified after testing in “K” (Supply) Company Field Butchery in slaughtering. His service form shows that travelled from Southampton to Le Havre on 20 and 21 March 1917. He was transferred to UK for release on 28 October 1919. His Identity Certificate on release confirms his service in France.

 

 

Joseph Farndale (born 1883) was a Temporary Warrant Officer Class 2 during the 1914-18 War in the Army Service Corps. He is identified on the absent voters list of 1919 as a Sergeant Major in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps and a resident of Coldstream Cottages in Wood Lane. Coldstream Cottages, Wood Lane is at Mobberley near Knutsford which is also close to Chorlton.

 

The men from Mobberley. Mobberley men who risked their lives for King and country in the Great War have forever been immortalised in their own dedicated history book. To commemorate the centenary of the First World War, resident Alistair MacLeod has created a comprehensive booklet detailing the lives of many of Mobberley’s fathers, brothers and sons who served. The booklet tries to identify all those remembered at Mobberley’s service of dedication held in 1921 and through whatever information has survived, provide a brief portrait of where they lived and how they fitted in to village life before war was declared. “I thought it would be interesting to find out as much as I could about all those who served, whether or not they survived, who had a connection with Mobberley,” said Alistair, who first came up with the idea after helping organise Mobberley History Day last November. “This was the first war to involve every community in the country; few households would have been unaffected. “In a community of only 323 households in 1911, 288 men linked to Mobberley served, of which 48 died. Many of those who returned were deeply affected physically and psychologically.”

 

14 July 1916

 

Ethel Farndale, daughter of Annie Farndale, was born in the Guisborough area. By 1939 she was a domestic servant but ‘incapacitated’. She was buried in Loftus cemetery on 15 May 1940.

8 April 1917

 

A letter from George Farndale to his sister:

 

Sunday 8/4/17, Dear Sister

 

Just a line to tell you that I arrived at Folkestone at 7 o clock this morning and I am in a rest camp now waiting of a ship. It is quiet a fine place here. I think we shall leave here at 10.45 am for the ship which I think will take us to Boulogne where we will stay over night. I got a very decent breakfast here and had an extra tea before we left Catterick. They also gave us 20 packet of cigarettes each. Well tat-ta for the present will write you again as soon as possible. With Love Geo.

 

19 April 1917

 

Letters from George Farndale:

 

Dear Sister

Received latter on Tuesday last and parcel today. I must say the parcel was extra. The cake is excellent, also must say that you could not have sent a more suitable parcel. Well I must send you my sincere thanks for your kindness also for writing to the Girl. I am sorry I had to send home for some money, but I only get 5 francs here, and I want to get some of those French cards to send you as I know you would like some of them. I am pleased to hear you are all keeping well. I wrote to the Girl on Sunday so I am expecting to hear from her anytime. Will you send me one of your photos as I would like one with me out here, please put your name on it. Remember me to all and Give them my best respects, also down John St. How is Father keeping hope he isn't worrying about me as I am alright. Well I think this is about all I have to say so I must draw to a close thanking you once again for parcel also hoping to hear from you again soon. Well tud-a-lu

With Love

from Your Loving Bro Geo.

 

P.S. I am not afraid about the watch and parcel, as I know the young man I left with is honest and straight in every way, and I told him he wasn't to go down special with it, he was to post it anytime when he was going to town.

With Love again

Geo.

 

Dear Annie

I am just sending you a line to tell you that I am in a draft and expecting to go out any day. If you haven't wrote and sent the things I asked for don't trouble, as I may be gone before they arrive and I sharn't be able to take them with me. If I should be here over the weekend I will write you again on Sunday if not I will try and send you a line before I leave. I have got all my kit ready for going but I don't think I shall go before Saturday or Monday. Well be sure and don't worry about me and tell Father not to, as I shall be alright, and I must say before I go that you and Father have been very kind to me as I never wanted for anything and I must say you have done more than your duty towards me. Of course it may be weeks before I go into the trenches as am sure to be kept at the base for a week or two. If I should send for anything when I get to France, be sure and register it, as it will make it more sure of me receiving it. Well don't write any more until you hear from me again and don't think anything is wrong if you don't hear from me for a short time, but I promise you to write you as soon as I possibly can. Well this is all I have time to say just now, so I will now close, trusting this finds you all well. Remember me to all. Well be sure and don't worry about me, and look on the bright side of it as I shall soon be back again.

With Love, From Your Loving Bro Geo

PS. If the writing pad comes I will give it to some of the boys as it won't be worth sending it back. I shall very possibly be sending some shirts home.

 

27 May 1917

 

Private George Farndale, 9th Highland Light Infantry, was killed in action, aged 26, during the Battle of Arras. He is buried at Bay 8, Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France.

 

9 April -16 June 1917: the Arras offensive. Once again the British are called upon to launch an attack in support to a larger French offensive: the battles of the Chemin des Dames and the hills of Champagne. The opening Battle of Vimy and the First Battle of the Scarpe are very encouraging, but once again the offensive – often known as the Battle of Arras – bogs down into an attritional slog. Final attempts to outflank the German lines at Bullecourt prove terribly costly.

 

On this same day the French Army mutinied following the disastrous Nivelle Offensive, which left 100,000 French dead.

 

George Farndale

 

2 June 1917

 

Letter to George Farndale’s mother, Susannah Farndale:

 

France, 2/6/17

 

Dear Mr Farandale

I deeply regret to inform you of the death in Action of your son 333852 Pte G Farandale on 27th May. He was a good soldier and a popular fellow, beloved by us all and our deepest sympathy goes out to you and yours at this time.

Believe me, Yours truly, D W Greenhulds, 2Lt, 9th HLI.

 

And to his sister:

 

June 2nd/6/17

 

Dear Friend

It is with deep regret I inform you that your Bro George was killed on the 27th May. He had just gone into the trenches the previous night and before it was properly daylight a German trench mortar came over and struck George death being instantaneous. I have know George for a good long time and he was a fine pal. He was in the Yorks at Hartlepool when I was, and we were transferred to 2/9th HLI together May 1st/16. It was New Years time when I mist him as he was sent to Scotland and I was left with Batt. Eventually I came out to France in Feb and it was there at the base I met him again and we have been together practically all the time. I was next to him on the 20th/5/17 when we went over and took the German front line trench, which we held for 2 days and then were relieved. You have my deepest sympathy in your sad bereavement and hope you will find consolation in knowing that he died faithfully doing his duty. The officer got his pay book and pocket wallet which I expect will be sent on to you.

Yours Sincerely

R Sellars

332854 Pte R Sellars 9th H.L.I. Glasgow Highlanders

C. Company 11 platoon.

B.E.F. France.

 

Shingle Hall, Sawbridgeworth, Herts. Thursday

 

Dear Miss Farndale:-

I am deeply grieved on hearing from you yesterday morning that dear George has been killed in action, and all at Shingle Hall including myself wish to express our deepest sympathy with you all in this dark hour of sadness.

It was an awful blow to me dear, and is one that I shall never forget. He was such a nice quiet and gentle boy and was very much liked by all who knew him in Sawbridgeworth, and no fellow could not think so much of a girl as your dear brother did of me, and had he been spared to come back safely we intended getting married. I don't know if he ever spoke about it to you.

It will be awfully kind of you to copy those letters for me and shall be most pleased to receive them.

Yes dear, I will see about another doz. p.cs. being copied and will write and let you know, as I shall be only too pleased to do anything for you, for the sake of the dear one I have just lost.

He sent me the Yorkshire badge (as he said no one else should have it but me) also the cap badge of the H.L.I. and bought me a small regimental brooch of the H.L.I. so I shall always think of the dear boy.

Now dear Miss Farndale I will draw to a close trusting you will all accept our deepest sympathy once more.

With fondest love hoping to hear from you again soon

I remain

Your sincere Friend

Dolly.

 

P.S. Please excuse pencil.

 

15 August 1917

 

Thomas William Farndale Junior, son of Thomas William and Christie Ann Farndale, was born in Loftus. By 1939, Thomas William Farndale was an underground mines horse driver in Loftus. He died aged 41 and was buried on 24 October 1958 at Loftus Cemetery.

 

1918

 

Margaret Elizabeth Farndale, daughter of Joseph and Minnie Farndale, was born in Mobberley, Cheshire. By 1939, Margaret was a hairdresser in Withernsea, Yorkshire. She married Harold Owens in 1943. Margaret Elizabeth Owens died in Worthing, West Sussex, in 1998.

7 May 1920

 

Christie Ann Farndale, daughter of Thomas William and Christie Ann Farndale, was born in Loftus. Christie Farndale married Stanley Burton in 1942. Christie An Burton died in 1991.

By 1921

 

John William Farndale was a Government Medical Officer, Colonials (retired) living in Willesden, Middlesex.

 

John William Farndale (born 1876) was a farmer on his own account in Whitby.

 

Thomas William Farndale Senior was the lights on man with Loftus urban district council.

 

John Farndale (born 1890) was a butcher with Kelton Cooperative Society.

 

Joseph Farndale (born 1883) was manager, The * Acid Gas Co, Skinnerburn Road, Low Elswick, Newcastle upon Tyne.

 

10 October 1923

 

Elizabeth Farndale, daughter of Thomas William and Christie Ann Farndale, was born in Loftus. Elizabeth Farndale married Kenneth Sherman in 1946. She died in 1994 in Stroud in Gloucestershire.

1927

 

John William Farndale died in Hampstead, London.

About 1930

 

Possibly Aunt Polly (left) with Ruth Farndale (FAR00619) and Dorothy Farndale (FAR00668) at Craggs Hall in about 1930

 

9 July 1934

(Hull Daily Mail, 9 July 1934)

 

3 January 1939

John Farndale Junior died was buried in Loftus, aged 87.

By 1939

John William Farndale (born 1876) was a farmer on his own account at Lamplands Farm, Egton. His son in law, Cyril Goodwin, Alice Jane Godwin (nee Farndale)’s husband, was assisting him on the farm.

 

 

Thomas William Farndale Senior was a local authority cartman in Loftus.

 

John Farndale (born 1890) was a master butcher in the Skelton/Brotton area.

 

Thomas William Farndale was an underground mines horse driver in Loftus.

 

1950

Henry Farndale died in York, aged 89.

27 December 1950

Thomas William Farndale Senior, 68, was buried at Loftus cemetery.

1952

John William Farndale (born 1876died in Cleveland, aged 75.

 

10 October 1965

Joseph Farndale (born 1883) died in Patrington, Holderness, Yorkshire.

11 September 1968

John Farndale (born 1890), 78, was buried at Boosbeck cemetery.