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John George Farndale
FAR00337
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Printer’s apprentice before he emigrated to Ontario (possibly via Australia) He took part in the battles
of Alma, Balaclava and Inkerman and was at the Siege of Sebastopol He then settled in Ontario where he was a labourer and then farmed. |
Headlines
of John Farndale’s life are in brown.
Dates
are in red.
Hyperlinks
to other pages are in dark
blue.
References
and citations are in turquoise.
Context
and local history are in purple.
See also the Ontario Farndales.
1836
John George Farndale was born 26 on October 1836, the son of John &
Martha Farndale (FAR00217),
farmer of Skelton. He was baptised Skelton on 27 November 1836 (Skelton PR
& IGI).
1841
The 1841 of Census,
for Coatham Stob, Long Newton listed John
Farndale, 45, a farmer; William Farndale, 10; Mary Farndale, 9; Teresa
Farndale, 8; John Farndale, 5; Charles Farndale, 3; John Farndale, 15,
male servant; Matthew Farndale, male servant, 12; John Malburn, 25, male
servant; Thomas Shirt, 15, male servant; Mary Disson, 24, housekeeper.
1851
The Census of
1851 for Skelton listed John H (sic)
Fanndale, aged 14; a printer’s apprentice at Skelton, lodging with Timothy Robinson. This was the
same year that his father, John Farndale who later became an author, was made
bankrupt.
At some point John joined the army. It is probable that he did so under a false name. If he had not
completed his apprenticeship, then the army would have been bound to hand him
to the responsible authorities. There may also have been family disapproval at
him joining the Army.
He appears to have joined
the Army with a fellow apprentice, Thomas Hind.
1853
John George Farndale was a soldier in The Crimea. He may have initially
joined the Coldstream Guards (he would have been aged about 15), and then joined the 28th Regiment of Foot.
There may have been some relationship
between the Coldstream Guards and the 28th of foot. For instance
the Morning
Post, 27 December 1854: Lord Bownlow Cecil has been
gazetted to a captaincy in the Coldstream Guards. His lordship has lately
served in the 28th Foot.
The 28th Regiment of Foot was a line infantry regiment of the British
Army, raised in 1694. In 1881 the Regiment amalgamated with the 61st (South
Gloucestershire) Regiment of Foot to form the Gloucestershire Regiment. The
Regiment served in India from 1842 to 1848 and fought at the Battle of Alma in September 1854, the Battle of Inkerman in November 1854 and the Siege of Sevastopol in winter 1854 during the
Crimean War. It then served in India from 1858 to 1865, before spending further
time in the Mediterranean.
On 16 July 1852, Lieutenant Colonel Frank Adams was in command
and the 28th of Foot were stationed in Yorkshire, Tyneside
and Northumberland areas. The Regiment was initially at Newcastle with
detachments at Sunderland, Tynemouth and Carlisle. In
May 1853, the Regimental Headquarters moved to Leeds, with detachments in
Bradford, Hull, Scarborough and Barnsley.
The British Army Despatch, Horse Guards, Ordnance
and East India Company's Military Service Record, 19 March 1852 recorded an order for units including the 28th Foot, from
its headquarters in Newcastle, to send parties to Woolwich next week for
practice at the Royal Arsenal and in the Marshes. The Newcastle Guardian and Tyne Mercury, 15 May 1852 reported that a royal salute was fired for the Queen’s Birthday by
detachments of artillery and the 28th Regiment of Foot from the
Spanish Battery in the Castle Yard at Tynemouth. The Morning Herald (London) on 6 September 1852 reported that Captain Andrews of the 28th Regiment of
Foot was engaged in interesting excavations at Tynemouth Priory. The Saint James's Chronicle, 20 November 1852 reported on the 28th Regiment of Foot’s part in the
solemn ceremony at Newcastle upon Tyne on the death of Arthur Wellesley, the
First Duke of Wellington.
The York Herald, 18 June 1853 reported that the 28th Regiment of Foot were engaged in
training the Second West York Light Infantry Regiment of Militia and ’making
the privates proficient in military tactics’. The Yorkshire Gazette, 23 July 1853 reported:
MILITARY ENCAMPMENT AT SCARBOROUGH. On Saturday last, detachments of the
28th Regiment of Foot arrived at Scarborough from Hull and Bradford, numbering
together about 90 rank and file, and they're now encamped in the Castle Yard,
for the purpose of practising rifle shooting with the Minie rifle. The practise
commenced on Monday, and has continued during the week, attracting great
numbers of spectators. Each detachment will be employed about 16 days in
firing, when they will be relieved by other detachments from the same Regiment.
The Northern
Standard, 23 July 1853: STATIONS
OF REGIMENTS AND DEPOTS TO THE 1ST JULY 1853: … Infantry … 28th
– Newcastle … The Sun
(London), 31 December 1853 reported
on three companies of the 28th Foot being dispatched to help
extinguish a fire at a warehouse in Bradford.
The Crimean War arose at a time of the
decline of the Ottoman Empire and the expansion of Russia in the preceding
Russo-Turkish Wars. The British and French preferred to preserve the Ottoman
Empire to maintain the balance of power in central Europe. A flashpoint arose by
a disagreement over the rights of Christian minorities in Palestine, which was
then part of the Ottoman Empire. The French promoted the rights of the
Catholics and Russia promoted the Eastern Orthodox Church. Napoleon III and
Tsar Nicolas I of Russia each refused to back down. Nicholas sent an ultimatum
demanding the orthodox subjects of the Ottoman Empire be placed under his
protection. Britain attempted to mediate and Nicholas
agreed to a compromise, but when the Ottomans demanded changes to the
agreement, Nicholas prepared for War.
In July 1853 Russian
Troops entered the Danubian Principalities (now part of Romania) and in
October, with promises of support from France and Britain, the Ottomans
declared War on Russia. The Ottomans led by Omar Pasha fought a strong
defensive campaign.
By January 1854, the
British and French were worried about an Ottoman defeat and entered the Black
Sea. The
Allies decided that they would attack Russia’s main naval base in the Black Sea
at Sevastopol on the Crimean Peninsula. The Italian Kingdom of Sardinia also
sent an expeditionary force to Crimea to join the French, British and the
Ottomans.
On 14 September 1854, The
Allies, comprising the British, French, Ottoman and
Sardinian Forces, landed at Eupatoira. They planned to march immediately upon
Sevastopol (known as Sebastopol by the British), which was the capitol of The
Crimea.
We know
from his letters home (see below) that John George Farndale took
part in the battles of Alma, Balaclava and Inkerman and was at the Siege of
Sebastopol.
22 February
1854
The 28th Regiment of Foot sailed for the
Mediterranean.
The London Evening Standard,
11 February 1854: THE ACTIVE PREPARATIONNS FOR WAR. Every day, every
hour, furnishes additional matter for observation and comment on the immense
exertions being made to meet the requirements of the coming war, the campaign
on land, the operations of our naval forces at sea. With respect to the Army,
we may now repeat with confidence that the number of troops to be dispatched at
once is 10,000 officers and men. But as many more will be held in readiness to
reinforce the British contingent, should necessity demand their services in the
east. If possible, the following will proceed on the 18th or 19th: three
battalions of the Guards, 7th Regiment of Foot, 28th Regiment of Foot,
33rd Regiment of Foot, 79th Regiment of Foot, 2d Battalion of Rifles, 4
companies of Artillery...
The Sun (London), 13 February
1854: THE LINE REGIMENTS. The following, making 10 battalions of
1,000 strong each, are expected to embark immediately for the Mediterranean
stations: … the 2d battalion of the Coldstream Guards, at present in the
Tower of London … the 28th Foot, stationed at Leeds..,
The Dublin Mercantile
Advertiser, and Weekly Price Current, 17 February 1854: PREPARATIONS FOR
WAR … on Thursday at noon, the 28th Regiment of Foot left Leeds, en route
for Constantinople. Immense excitement attended their departure.
From the barracks to the railway station they were most enthusiastically
cheered by thousands of spectators, who filled the streets. It is
estimated that no not less than 60,000 persons assembled to see them off. So
strong a war spirit has never before been manifested in the town, and it was
with difficulty that the soldiers could pass through the streets. The 28th
went to Preston, and will embark probably on Saturday, on board the
Niagara, at Liverpool, for their destination... The
Yorkshire Gazette, 18 February 1854: The
28th Regiment of Foot marched from Leeds barracks on Wednesday en route for the
East. They left the town amidst the greetings of thousands of spectators.
The Chelmsford Chronicle, 17
February 1854: THE WAR WITH RUSSIA … THE MILITARY EXPEDITION … the
Government has chartered the Peninsula and Oriental Company’s steamers
Himalaya, Ripon, and Manilla for the conveyance of troops. The three vessels
will carry about 3,500 soldiers. The troops will be victualled by the company.
… The number of troops to be dispatched at once is 10,000 officers and men, but
as many more will be held in readiness to reinforce the British contingent,
should necessity demand their services in the east. If possible the following
will proceed on the 18th or 19th:... 28th Regiment of Foot …
The Albion, 20 February 1854:
Wednesday is fixed for the departure of the 28th Regiment from Liverpool
in the Niagara … 28th Regiment of Foot left Leeds on Monday, en
route for Liverpool. Immense excitement attended their departure … Liverpool.
The Cunard steamer Niagara, Captain Leitch, will take her departure from the
Mersey, in her new character as one of her Majesty's troop ships, on Wednesday
next, with the gallant 28th Regiment, about one thousand strong, on board.
She is now in the river, her fittings having been completed, and received the
approbation of the Admiralty agents. The figurehead and cutwater of the Niagara
have been removed. On the exciting occasion of the embarkation, she will in all
probability be anchored in the Sloyne, and the troops will be taken on board by
one of the Cunard’s tenders, either from the Prince’s Pier or the Great Landing
Stage. The 28th regiment is now at Preston. They will enter the town, it is
thought, on Wednesday, when we have no doubt they will receive in enthusiastic
reception from her Majesty's good lieges of Liverpool. The 28th Regiment
distinguished itself at Quartre Bras, and has on its colours Corunna, Albuera,
Vittoria, and Waterloo...
The Liverpool Mail, 25
February 1854: EMBARKATION OF TROOPS FROM
LIVERPOOL. Few events of late years have created so great a sensation in
Liverpool as the embarkation of the 28th Regiment of Foot for Malta,
which took place on Wednesday morning. From an early hour the streets, more
particularly in the neighbourhood of the Tithebarn Street Station and the
Exchange Buildings were filled by a dense crowd of persons, of every class of
the community, high, low, rich and poor, all animated by the same excitement
and the desire of bidding farewell to one of the most famous Regiments in the
service, previous to its departure for the East, to defend the honour of Great
Britain and humble the presumption of the universally detested Russians.
The Liverpool
Albion, 27 February 1854: EMBARKATION OF TROOPS FROM LIVERPOOL. On
Wednesday morning four companies of the 28th Regiment of Foot, being in all
about 850 men, rank and file, arrived at Liverpool by the East Lancashire
Railway, from Preston, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Adams. A large
and enthusiastic multitude of people followed them, cheering vehemently, to the
Exchange Area, and thence to the landing stage, where they were speedily
embarked on board the Cunard steamer Niagara, Leitch, commander, which lay at
anchor in the Sloyne. The scene of embarkation was intensely spirited...
The Westmeath Guardian and
Longford News-Letter, 20 April 1854. DEPARTURE OF THE TROOPS FROM MALTA.
MALTA, APRIL 7TH. … The Cyclops and the Vesuvius, with the 28th Regiment
and two companies of the 50th Regiment are ready for sea …
14 September
1854
On 4 November 1854, John Farndale wrote to his
father that he had landed without opposition September 14th, and started
for Alma on the 18th.
20 September
1854
On 4 November 1854, John Farndale wrote to his
father: On the 20th we were before Alma, and commenced the
attack about eleven o’clock against 50,000 Russians, and defeated them
after three hours’ cannonading and musketry; and it took us two days to bury
the dead, and send our wounded on board ship for Scurati.
The Battle of Alma. The first battle of the
War. An Anglo French Force defeated the Russian opposition. Alma
was the first major encounter fought in the Crimean Peninsula since the Allied
landings at Kalamita Bay on 14 September, and was a clear battlefield success;
but a tardy pursuit by the Allies failed to gain a decisive victory, allowing
the Russians to regroup, recover and prepare their defence.
Map of the Battle of Alma
The Sligo
Journal, 27 October 1854 reported
an official return of wounded at the Alma, from the general hospital at
Scutari, at Instanbul, where Florence Nightgale made her name. It reported 582
wounded between 22 and 28 October, with 72 amputations, and a further 500
admitted since 28 September.
Early October
1854
John George Farndale continued: We then
started for Sebastopol, and reached it after eight or nine days’ march; we had
to go a great way round. As soon as we got in front and settled, we commenced
throwing up batteries and breast works, under fire of the enemy. We finished
them after about five days and nights’ hard working, and opened fire on them
on the 17th of last month, and have been battering away ever since, and are
likely to continue doing so for some time to come. We have greater
opposition than we expected. There was a faint attack made on our rear army
a few days ago, which cut up our cavalry fearfully, but were defeated in the
end. Our loss is not so great, considering all the circumstances of the case. I
have escaped as yet, thank God! I have had a narrow escape: one morning, as we
were relieving guard, two privates and a sergeant were shot close by me with
one ball.
The Allies decided against a slow assault on Sebastopol
and instead prepared for a protracted siege. The British, under the command of
Lord Raglan, and the French, under Canrobert, positioned their troops to the
south of the port on the Chersonese Peninsula: the French Army occupied the bay
of Kamiesch on the west coast whilst the British moved to the southern port of
Balaclava. French and British engineers started to build siege lines along the
uplands south of Sebastopol, from their base at Balaklava. By 5 October the
Allies had 120 guns ready to fire and the Russians had about three times as
many. An artillery battle began. The Allied Fleet pounded Russian defences.
However, the Allied position committed the
British to the defence of the right flank of the Allied siege operations, for
which Raglan had insufficient troops.
The Daily News (London), 7
November 1854: NOMINAL RETURN OF CASULATIES FROM OCTOBER 18 TO 21,
1854, BOTH DAYS INCLUSIVE: … 28TH REGMENT OF FOOT. Killed: Colour
Sergeant W Faulkner, and Private S Door. WOUNDED – Privates J Bailey, P Daley,
J Tinson, J Tinson, F Cavan.
Lord Raglan’s dispatches were reported in the Dublin Evening Mail, 8 November 1854: FURTHER
OFFICIAL DESPATCHES. “Before Sebastopol, Oct 23. MY LORD DUKE. The
operations of the siege have been carried on unremittingly since I
addressed your grace on the 18th instant. On that afternoon, the French
batteries not having been able to reopen, the enemy directed their guns almost
exclusively on the British entrenchments cover and maintained a very heavy fire
upon them till the day closed, with less damage, I am happy to say, to the
works, and with fewer casualties, than might have been anticipated.... A
considerable body of Russians appeared 2 days ago in the vicinity of Balaclava,
but they have since withdrawn and are no longer to be seen on our front...”
25 October
1854
The Battle of Balaklava. This gave the Russians a morale boost and
convinced them that the Allied lines were spread too thinly.
The battle began with a Russian artillery and infantry attack on
the Ottoman redoubts that formed Balaclava's first line of defence on
the Vorontsov Heights. The Ottoman forces initially resisted the Russian
assaults, but lacking support they were eventually forced to retreat.
When the redoubts fell, the Russian cavalry moved to engage the second
defensive line in the South Valley, held by the Ottoman and the
British 93rd Highland Regiment in what came to be known as the
"Thin Red Line". This line held and repulsed the attack; as did
General 's British Heavy Brigade who charged and defeated the
greater proportion of the cavalry advance, forcing the Russians onto the
defensive. However, a final Allied cavalry charge, stemming from a
misinterpreted order from Raglan, led to one of the most famous and
ill-fated events in British military history – the Charge of the Light
Brigade.
The thin red line
The charge of the light brigade
The Charge
of the Light Brigade, BY ALFRED, LORD
TENNYSON
|
I Half a league, half a
league, Half a league onward, All in the valley of Death Rode the
six hundred. “Forward, the Light
Brigade! Charge for the guns!” he
said. Into the valley of Death Rode the
six hundred. |
II “Forward, the Light
Brigade!” Was there a man dismayed? Not though the soldier knew Someone
had blundered. Theirs
not to make reply, Theirs
not to reason why, Theirs
but to do and die. Into the
valley of Death Rode the
six hundred. |
III Cannon to right of them, Cannon to left of them, Cannon in front of them Volleyed
and thundered; Stormed at with shot and
shell, Boldly they rode and well, Into the jaws of Death, Into the mouth of hell Rode the
six hundred. |
IV Flashed all their sabres
bare, Flashed as they turned in air Sabring the gunners there, Charging an army, while All the
world wondered. Plunged in the battery-smoke Right through the line
they broke; Cossack and Russian Reeled from the sabre stroke Shattered
and sundered. Then they rode back, but not Not the
six hundred. |
V Cannon to right of them, Cannon to left of them, Cannon behind them Volleyed
and thundered; Stormed at with shot and
shell, While horse and hero fell. They that had fought so well Came through the jaws of
Death, Back from the mouth of
hell, All that was left of them, Left of six
hundred. |
VI When can their glory fade? O the wild charge they
made! All the
world wondered. Honour the charge they
made! Honour the Light Brigade, Noble
six hundred! |
The Hereford Journal, 15 November 1854:
THE BATTLE OF BALAKLAVA.
English (sic, recte
British) Killed, 190; Wounded, 365. …
LORD RAGLAN TO THE DUKE
OF NEWCASTLE
Before Sebastopol,
October 28, 1854
The enemy attacked the
position in front of Balaclava at an early hour on the morning of the 25th inst.
The low range of
heights that runs across the plain at the bottom of which the town is placed,
was protected by four small redoubts hastily constructed. Three of these had
guns in them, and on a higher hill before the village of Camara, in advance of
our right flank, was established a work of somewhat more importance....
These several redoubts
were garrisoned by Turkish troops, no other force being at my disposal for
their occupation.
The 93rd Highlanders
was the only British Regiment in the plain, with the exception of a battalion
of detachments composed of weakly men, and a battery of artillery belonging to
the third division; and on the heights behind our right were placed the
marines...
The enemy commence
their operation by attacking the work on our side of the village of Camara, and, after very
little resistance, carried it.
They likewise got
possession of the three others in contiguity to it, being opposed only in one,
and that but for a very short space of time.
The furthest of the
three they did not retain, but the immediate abandonment of the others enabled
them to take possession of the guns in them, amounting in whole to seven. Those
in three lesser forts were spiked by the one English artillerymen who was in
each.
The Russian cavalry at
once advanced supported by artillery in very great strength. One portion of
them are assailed to the front and right flank of the 93rd, and were instantly
driven back by the vigorous and steady fire of that distinguished regiment
under Lieutenant Colonel Ainsley.
The other and larger
mass turned towards Her Majesty's heavy cavalry, and afforded Brigadier
General Scarlett, under the guidance of Lieutenant General the Earl of Lucan,
the opportunity of inflicting upon them a most signal defeat. The ground
was very unfavourable for the attack of our dragoons, but no obstacle was
sufficient to check their advance, and they charged into the Russian column,
which soon sought safety in flight, although far in far superior in numbers.
The charge of this
brigade was one of the most successful I ever witnessed, was never for a
moment doubtful, and is in the highest degree creditable to Brigadier General
Scarlett and the officers and men who engaged in it.
As the enemy
withdrew from the ground which they had momentarily occupied, I directed
the cavalry, supported by the 4th division, under Lieutenant General Sir George
Cathcart, to move forward, and take advantage of at any opportunity to regain
the heights; and not having been able to accomplish this immediately, and it
appearing that an attempt was making to remove the captured guns, the Earl of
Lucan was desired to advance rapidly, follow the enemy in their retreat, and
tried to prevent them from affecting their objects.
In the meanwhile the
Russians had time to reform on their own ground, with artillery in front and upon
their flanks.
From some misconception
of the instruction to advance, the Lieutenant General considered that he was
bound to attack at all hazards, and he accordingly ordered Major General the Earl of Cardigan
to move forward with the light brigade.
This order was obeyed
in the most spirited and gallant manner. Lord Cardigan charged
with the utmost vigour, attacked a battery which was firing upon the advancing
squadrons, and, having passed beyond it, engaged the Russian cavalry in its
rear; but there his troops were assailed by artillery and infantry, as well as
cavalry, and necessarily retired, after having committed much havoc upon the
enemy. …
The Earl of Lucan not
having sent me the names of the other officers who distinguished themselves, I
proposed to forward them by my next opportunity.
The enemy made no
further movement in advance, and at the close of the day, the brigade of Guards
of the 1st Division and the 4th division returned to their original encampment,
as did the French troops, with the exception of 1 brigade of the first vision,
which General Canrobert was so good as to leave in support of Sir Robert Sir
Colin Campbell.
The remaining regiments
of the Highland Brigade also remained in the valley. …
CASULATIES FROM 22ND
TO 26TH OCTOBER, INCLUSIVE … 28th Foot: 1 wounded.
The Daily News (London), 18 November 1854. LISTS OF
KILLED AND WOUNDED … October 25 … 28th REGIMENT OF FOOT. WOUNDED.
Private Edmd Flaherty, slightly.
4 November
1854
John George Farndale wrote:
“Heights of Sebastopol, November 4th,
1854.
Dear Father.
I received your letter of 26th of last
month, and was glad to hear that you were all well and in the enjoyment of
health. I suppose your papers in England say that Sebastopol is taken, but I
can tell you very differently. It is now seventeen days since we commenced
the attack on the town, and there is no sign of it being taken yet. I thought
we should have had it by now, but I assure you it is no easy task.
Since I wrote last we have had great ravages
in the army – the first by sickness; then the cholera came
amongst us and swept a great many away.
We then went on board for Russia, in the latter
part of August, and landed without opposition September 14th,
and started for Alma on the 18th. On the 20th we were before
Alma, and commenced the attack about eleven o’clock against 50,000
Russians, and defeated them after three hours’ cannonading and
musketry; and it took us two days to bury the dead, and send our
wounded on board ship for Scurati.
I think I have given you all particulars up to
the present.
Next time I write, I hope Sebastopol will have
fallen.
Your affectionate son.
John George Farndale.”
5 November
1854
The Battle of Inkerman. The
Russians were defeated, so moved their forces inside the city.
The Leeds Times,
25 November 1854: RETURN OF CASUALTIES FROM 2ND TO 6TH
NOVEMBER, 1854, INCLUSIVE … 28th Regiment – 1 rank and file wounded
… The London Evening Standard, 12 December 1854:
November 6. 28th Regiment of Foot. Private 2259 Christopher
Manison.
Towards the end of November a
winter storm ruined the Allied camp and supply lines and men and horses starved
in the appalling conditions.
The Sun
(London), 12 December 1854. War department, 10 AM, December 11. His Grace
the Duke of Newcastle has this day received dispatches and enclosures, of which
the following are copies to his grace by Field Marshall the Lord Raglan, GCB. No
110. Before Sebastopol, November 23, 1854. My Lord Duke. The Russian advanced
posts in front of our left attack having taken up a position which incommoded
our troops in the trenches, and occasioned not a few casualties, and at the
same time took in reverse the French troops working in their lines, a
representation of which was made to me by our own officers... The weather is again very bad comma and steady
rain is constantly falling. I attach the niominal luist of killed and wopunded
at thebattle of Inkerman … 28th Foot – 1 rank and file wounded.
…
December 1854
The Nottinghamshire Guardian, 28 December 1854: RETURN
OF CASUALTIES FROM THE 27TH OF NOVEMBER TO THE 5TH OF DECEMBER,
BOTH DAYS INCLUSIVE … 28TH Foot – 2 rank and file killed; 8 rank and
file wounded … J B BUCKNALL ESTCOURT, Adjutant General … NOMINAL RETURN OF NON
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS AND MEN KILLED, FROM THE 27TH OF NOVEMBER TO
THE 5TH OF DECEMBER, BOTH DAYS INCLUSIVE … Killed, November 29, 28th
Regiment of Foot – Private Michael Fitzgerald … December 5 … 28th Regiment
of Foot – Private Patten Smith … The
Weekly Chronicle (London), 30 December 1854:
Nominal return of Non comissioned officers and men killd from 27th
November to 5th December, 1854 … Killed … 28th Regiment
olf Foolt – Private Patten Smith … WOUNDED … 28th Regiment of Foot –
Private James Steale, slightly …
The Limerick
and Clare Examiner, 3 January 1855: 5th December … 28th
Regiment of Foot – Privates – Joseph Take, severely; Michael Hagerty,
severely; Patrick Kelly, slightly; S Mountain, severely, T C Irwin, slightly.
The Sun (London), 9 January 1855: Dec 22
… 28th Regiment of Foot. Private Charles Smith, slightly …
January 1855
John Farndale was promoted to Lance Corporal, in about January 1855.
The Dublin Evening Mail, 1
January 1855:
DESPATCH FROM LORD RAGLAN.
… Before Sebastopol, December
13.
WAR DEPARTMENT, DEC 20th
10,30AM. His Grace the Duke of Newcastle has this day received a dispatch, of
which the following is a copy, addressed to his Grace by Field Marshall Lord
Raglan GCB:
My Lord Duke. Your grace will
be happy to hear that the weather has continued fine.
Since the time I had the honour
to address your Grace, on the 8th instant, the enemy has made no movement of
importance, and nothing of any consequence has taken place before Sebastapol.
The Russians moved upon our
advanced picquets in front of our left attack the night before last, in some force,
but they were instantly driven back by a detachment of the first battalion
rifle brigade on the right, and by one of the 46th on the left. The firing,
however, was kept up for some time, and the third and fourth divisions were
held in readiness to support in case their assistance should be required.
I enclose the return of
casualties to the 10th instant. I am etc...
28th Regiment – 2 rank
and file, killed; 8 rank and file wounded …
Soime of John’s colleagues were
being evacuated to Scutari, under the care of Florence Nightingale in January
1855. The London
Evening Standard, 3 February 1855: THE SICK AND DEAD AT SCUTARI, JAN 22 … Private
Charles Bridgewater, 28th Foot, dysentery, Jan 19 … Private John
Palmer, 28th Regt, diarrhoea, Jan 16 …
February 1855
John Farndale was laid up in my tent with frost bitten
feet nearly all this month, but I am better again and fit for duty and
later wrote:
John George Farndale wrote:
“Camp before Sebastopol.
I now take the first opportunity of writing to
you hoping you are in good health as I am at present. I received your letter on
the 5th of this month and also the newspaper and was glad to hear
from you.
You are in great haste to hear from me again, you
hardly will give time to write! I have
been for writing all this month but had not the ink. I had to send to Balaclava
for it.
I have been laid up in my
tent with frost bitten feet nearly all this month, but I am better again and
fit for duty.
I have had capitol health ever since I
landed in the Crimea, thank God for it. I can assure you there is very few
of the old hands left now of what came out with us from England.
The Colonel received your letter and thinks that
I never write to you by the way you write.
As to the promotion you were talking about, I
received the Lance Stripe about a month ago. The Colonel promised to push
me forward if I minded myself, but he was afraid to promote me sooner on
account of being so very young.
You also mention in your last that you heard from
D W Waldy that I was slightly wounded. I never received any wound more than a
slight cut on the nose from a stone that was sent up from a ball.
The siege is progressing very slowly but I think
we will soon open a new siege.
Things begin to look a little better. We have received the winter clothing
and are getting provisions a little better. We want the wooden houses
next, although I think as we have done so long without, we could manage without
them altogether. However I hope that before you get this, Sebastopol will be
ours and then we will be thinking about returning to old England again.
I think I have given you all the news I can at
present.
The Colonel will send you a few lines in this
letter of mine.
I am getting tired and want to go to bed, so I
must conclude with kind love to brothers and sisters and all enquiring friends.
I accept the same yourself.
Your affectionate son.
J G Farndale.”
There appears to be a reference to an Edward
Waldy appointed Ensign to the 28th Foot in the Globe on 16 July 1853. The Northern
Standard, 23 July 1853
refered to Edward Garntonsvay Waldy, a gentleman appointed as Ensign to 28th
Foot. The Newcastle Journal, 7 October
1854: Northern officers in
the Crimea. The following officers, connected with families in
this immediate district, are now engaged in the Expeditionary force in the
east, and no doubt shared in the dangers and glories of the battle of Alma
and the operations before Sebastapol. In the absence of official returns, as to
the killed and wounded on these sanguinary occasions, the fate of our
gallant countrymen is an object to the deepest interest to their families and
friends. That they may have been mercifully preserved in the awful struggle
to which they have been exposed, and that they may have distinguished
themselves by acts of courage and humanity in a manner worthy of their country
and county, is the ardent wish of all who are familiar with their brave and
noble spirits: … Ensign Edw G Waldy, 28th Foot, son of T W Waldy,
Esq of Eaglescliffe. The Newcastle
Courant, 13 October 1854: THE
KILLED ASND WOULDED OFFICERS. … Besides the above, the following oficers,
connected with the families of this immediate district, are engaged in the Expeditionary
Forces in the Eatys, and no doubt bared the dangers and glories of the Battle
of Alma, and the operations before Sebastopol: … Ensign Edward G Waldy, 28th
Foot, son of T W Waldy, Esq if Eaglescliffe … The Durham County
Advertiser, 13 October 1854. THE OFFICERS IN THE CRIMEA. The following is a
list of the officers connected with families in the North of England, who are
now serving in the Crimean expedition: … Ensign Edward G Waldy, 28th
Foot, son of T W Waldy, Esq if Eaglescliffe …
Easglescliffe is a borough of Stockton on Tees.
So this must be the Ensign whose farther was D (T sic?) W Waldy in John
Farndale’s letter.
The Nottinghamshire
Guardian, 15 February 1855: AUGMENTATION
OF INFANTRY AND CAVALRY. The following infantry regiments are forthwith to
have each a second battalion of 190 companies of 100 men each, thus increasing
their strength respectively by 1,000 bayonets, viz … 28th Foot …
The Hampshire
Advertiser, 17 February 1855:
DESPATCH FROM LORD RAGLAN.
Before Sebastopol, January 27. My Lord Duke, I
have the satisfaction to acquaint your Grace that the weather continues fine. There
are severe frosts at night; but the sun shines brightly through the day,
and there is an absence of wind, which , while it continued, added considerably
to the sufferings of the troops. Every exertion is making by public transport
and individually in getting huts up; but this is the most difficult
operation, and the ground is so rotten that it is a most arduous labour
to pass along it. The extremely confined space of Balaclava, and the vast
accumulation of stores, have obliged me to erect huts at some distance outside
the town for their reception. I enclose the list of casualties to the 25th inst
inclusive. I have etc, Raglan, His grace the Duke of Newcastle etc.
Nominal return of non commissioned officers and
privates wounded from the 22nd to the 23rd of January inclusive. Wounded
January 22: ... 28th Regiment of Foot - Private John Rogers, slightly. …
January 24. 28th Regiment of Foot - Private Richard M’Gainey, severely...
January 25. 28th Regiment of Foot - Private Patrick Hogan, severely.
Spring 1855
The Allies started to restore
their supply lines after the winter ended. A new Grand Crimean Central Railway
was built by the end of March 1855 and brought supplies to Balaklava and the
siege lines, delivering over 500 guns and significant amounts of ammunition.
The Allies resumed their bombardment on 8 April 1855.
John George Farndale wrote:
“Camp before Sebastopol. 1855
Dear Sir.
I now hasten to answer your letter which I
received this morning. I was glad to hear from I assume you! My father oft
mentions you in his letters. I have had a letter written these two or three
days waiting for the mail to send to father. I have to say you have had all
particulars from him about the war. You ask when will we get into
Sebastopol? I can tell you we are making great preparations. We are getting
a great many more guns than we had before, and mortars which will fire 112
pounders, which will shake Sebastopol. And if they do not give up then, we
will storm it by force. English, French and Turks. There will be a great
many lives lost in taking it, we have lost all our army we have brought with us.
They are all young soldiers who have come out last.
If I live to see it over and get back to old
England again, which
by the blessing of God I hope to do, I will tell you tales that will make
your hair stand on end!
You ask if all accounts were true about what I
sent you. I can assure you it was but too true.
Now the weather is a great deal warmer and better
provisions.
When the main army has gone to the grave, any man
who has got …”
A 13 inch mortar in action, 1855
August 1855
On 24 August 1855 the Allies
started their most severe bombardment.
The Battle of Tchernaya.
September
1855
The Battle of Redan. The
British assault on the Great Redan failed.
8 September
1855
The Battle of Malakoff. The
French seized the Malakoff redoubt, making the Russian defence untenable.
On 28 August 1855 the
Russians abandoned the southern side of Sebastopol. The fall of Sebastopol led
to Russia’s defeat in the Crimean War, but cost heavy Allied casualties. The
Crimean War was one of the first campaigns which used techniques of modern warfare
including explosive naval shells, railways and telegraphs. But the War showed
significant logistical, medical and tactical failures and led to the
professionalism of medicine led by Florence Nightingale. The Imperial Russian
Army would take decades to recover and the defeat would be a catalyst for
social reforms and the abolition of serfdom in Russia.
Crimean War Medal of Ralph Webster of
28th Regiment in Crimea
Research
Notes regarding John Farndale’s service during the Crimean War.
It is very difficult to track him down to
the military records. It seems likely that he used an assumed name, as a runway
apprentice.
The Gorst Research:
… I am therefore sure that he was with the
28th Regiment of foot under an assumed name. One piece of information gives
reason for this. Besides the probable family disapproval is the fact that he
was a runaway apprentice. If he had not completed his apprenticeship, then the
Army would have been bound to hand him over to the responsible authorities. The
Army or Regiment had no choice in the matter. It was clearly laid down in the
muster books that any apprentice who had not completed his time had upon discovery
to be given up. Therefore if John George Farndale did run away from an
uncompleted apprenticeship, then he would have had to enlist under a false
name. One of the questions on the attestation papers signed by any recruit was
concerned with any apprenticeship….
The Dagger
& Dagger research:
The Hilary
Marshall research:
1858
After the Crimean Wars, the
28th of Foot served in India from 1858 to 1865.
There was a
Pte John Farndale, discharged from the Grenadier Regiment of Guards on 25 May
1872, of very good character. This doesn’t match the date he went to Canada,
but it is possible that he went to Canada a little later, after he was
discharged. As we know John George Farndale was promoted to Lance Corporal in
January 1855, this probably wasn’t him.
1870
John
George Farndale, went to Canada in 1870 and there is an un-substantiated
story that he went to Australia first. He lived the rest of his life in Ontario
Canada (Family
letters).
John George
Farndale visited England twice in 1890 and in 1901. See Letters.
1880
John George
Farndale, 43, a Methodist, the son of John and Martha Farndale, of Yorkshire,
England (FAR00217), married Elizabeth Sanderson aged 27, a
Methodist, daughter of Richard and Martha Sanderson of Vaughan, Ontario, at
Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada, on 24th March 1880. The witnesses were Thomas and
Jane Sanderson. The Reverend J Thompson officiated. (MC).
1881
The 1881
Census for Vaughan listed John G Farindail (John G Farndale), 43, a labourer and Lisebeth Farindail, 29.
Charles
Farndale was born Ontario on 21 May 1881 (FAR00572), the son of John
Farndale and Elizabeth nee Saunders. John was a labourer of Lot 18, Vaughan (Family
letters).
1882
George Farndale was
born Ontario on 20 December 1882 (FAR00580),
the son of John George Farndale and Elizabeth nee Sanderson. John was a
labourer at Vaughan (Family letters).
1884
Albert Farndale was
born Ontario 5 May 1884 (FAR00598),
the son of J Farndale and Elizabeth Sanderson. John was a farmer, lot 18, con 10, Vaughan (Family letters).
1885
Mark Farndale was
born Ontario 6 December 1885 (FAR00603)
(Family letters).
1887
Martha Teresa (“Teresa”) Farndale, born Ontario 3 December
1887 (FAR00624).
Daughter of John George Farndale and Elizabeth Sanderson. John was a farmer , Elders Mills PO (Family letters).
This photograph
is of John George Farndale and his family taken in about 1887 in Canada - his
family left to right are George, Teresa, Mark, Charles and Albert
1889
Annie (Anne) Maria
Farndale was born Ontario 25 October 1889 (FAR00636). Annie
Maria Farndale, daughter of John George Farndale and Elizabeth Sanderson. John had Canadian citizenship and was a farmer. Annie was
born at Smithfield, Etobicoke, York, Ontario. Their medical practice was at
Woodbridge Ontario. Etobikoke is now a district of Toronto (Family
letters)
.
1891
The 1891
Census of Canada for Etobicoke, York West, Ontario listed John G Farndle, 52, a farm labourer, methodist; Elizabeth
Farndle, 39; Charles Farndle, 10; George Farndle, 8; Albert Farndle, 7; Mark
Farndle, 5; Martha T Farndle, 3; Anne M Farndle, 1; Jonathan Farr, 25,
domestic, Sarah B Farr, 22, his wife
1893
John’s wife, Elizabeth died in 1893.
1901
The 1901
Census for Peel District, Chinquacousy listed John Ferndale, 64, a farm labourer and widow. Hourly wage 300.
Born 26 October 1836. Boarding with others.
1909
John
George Farndale, died on 21st February 1909 at Chinquacousy, Ontario aged 72, a
widower, farm labourer of
Yorkshire, England (DC).
John
George Farndale was buried at Brampton Cemetery, Ontario with his wife Elizabeth and his daughter Martha
Teresa, who died on 7th January 1986, aged 99, a spinster (Burial Records).
Gravestone at Brampton
Cemetery, Brampton, Peel Municipality, Ontario.