Johnny William Farndale
(“Newcastle Johnny”)
5 March 1919 to April 1986
The Youngest Jarrow Marcher
Jarrow
John William
Farndale, son of John
Willie and Elizabeth (nee Todd) Farndale, was born into the South Shields 2 Line in
Jarrow on Tyne on 5 March 1919. He was living with his parents and six siblings
in Jarrow in 1921.
The
Jarrow Marches, 5 to 31 October 1936
John was the
youngest member of the 185 men who set off on the Jarrow marches in October
1936.
Boer War
veteran George Smith, aged 61, and 18 year old John Farndale, the oldest and
youngest member of the Jarrow band of workers
George
Smith, the oldest marcher, examines the boots of the youngest marcher, John
Farndale
There is
a sweet picture of the oldest and youngest marchers, John Farndale who at 18
had worked two weeks since leaving school at 14 and Geordie Smith, 62, a
veteran of the Boer War. A suggestion that the youngest marcher never came back,
but stayed in London to work as a baker’s assistant is not quite right, as
although Johnny did stay for a while as a baker’s assistant, he soon returned
to Newcastle.
On 5
November 1936 hundreds of people watched the departure of the special train
containing the Jarrow Marchers from Kings Cross station today. Mr P Malcolm
Stewart, formerly Commissioner for Distressed Areas, said goodbye to them, and
also on the platform was Miss Ellen Wilkinson MP, who had been with the men
during their crusade, and who presented the petition in the House of Commons.
The men expressed disappointment at the reception of their petition, but were
gratified at the general attitude of people in London towards them. Alderman J
W Thompson, Mayor of Jarrow, who returned with the men, said to a Press
Association reporter: “It was as I expected. I cannot say that I am
disappointed at the way the petition was received, but I feel now that the
people in the South have a more intimate knowledge of our plight in Jarrow, and
from that I expect some result.” One of the marches, John Farndale, of Clyde
Rd, Jared, has taken a job as a baker's assistant in London, and another,
Thomas Dobson, of Stanley Street, Jarrow, is staying at Hendon Cottage Hospital
for a few days for treatment before returning.
John worked
as a baker’s assistant in London for a short period of time.
Gateshead
Johnny soon
returned to Gateshead. He was a successful bare knuckle fighter and came to be
known as Newcastle Johnny.
In 1939, he
lived at 9 Ross Avenue, Gateshead. He was single and working as a public works
labourer.
Johnny was a
rag and bone man for a time.
In August
1961 he lived at Westmorland Road, Newcastle.
John William
Farndale, married Catherine Slater in 1947 in Newcastle Upon Tyne. When he
married Catherine she already had 2 children to previous marriages which Johnny
took on as his own.
Johnny and
Catherine’s son, Raymond
Farndale was born in 1951.
He always
had a little something for his grandchildren when they visited.
Johnny died in
Newcastle in April 1986.
or
Go Straight to The Jarrow March 1936
The webpage
of Johnny
Farndale includes a chronology and research notes.