William Farnsworth
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
He was the son of John a Licensed victualler and later milk dealer and Annie Farnsworth née Atkinson of Huthwaite Nottinghamshire and the brother of Christine, Fred, Harriett Farnsworth. John was born in 1865 and Annie Atkinson was also born both were born in Eastwood, they were married in 1886 their marriage was recorded in the Basford registration district, they went on to have 6 children, sadly two died in infancy or early childhood. In 1911 the family are living at The Great Northern Hotel at Kimberley where John 46 yrs is the licensed victualler and William 20 yrs is assisting in his fathers business. William married Catherine Lynam Evans (born 21st February 1886) of 37 Charnwood Street Sutton-in-Ashfield Nottinghamshire whom he had married in 1914, their marriage was recorded in the Mansfield registration district. Commencing 14th April 1919 his widow Catherine was awarded a pension of 13 shillings and 9 pence a week.
Private William Farnsworth enlisted on 27th June 1917 at Sutton in Ashfield and served with the 1st battalion, Coldstream Guards, he went to France in April 1918. He was killed in action when a shell burst killing him and several others around him on 27th September 1918, he was buried on 29th September 1918 in Sanders Keep Military Cemetery, Graincourt-Les-Havrincourt
Notts. Free Press 18th October 1918. We regret to record the death in action of a familiar figure - Private William Farnsworth 22422, 1st. Battalion Coldstream Guards. The official intimation was received on Monday last. Previously, two letters had been received with the sad tidings. Lieut. R.M. Buxton wrote to the effect that Pte. Farnsworth was instantaneously killed on September 27th. He was carrying bombs, with others, to assist the company when he was killed by a shell. Several men and officers were killed about the same time. This statement was corroborated by the Battalion chaplain, who intimated that Pte. Farnsworth had been buried on the 29th. Pte. Farnsworth, who was 34 years of age, was a native of Huthwaite, being the only son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Farnsworth, New Street. Up to five or six years ago he was employed on the surface at New Hucknall Colliery, filling the offices of assistant storekeeper and truck weighman. Always steady and industrious, and of a studious turn of mind, he carried out faithfully and conscientiously any duties entrusted to him, and was greatly respected. He subsequently . For this vocation Mr. Farnsworth had great aptitude, and a successful career appeared to be beyond all doubt when he joined up on June 27th. last year. All his life Pte. Farnsworth, with his family, had been closely associated with Huthwaite Wesleyan Church. He acted at different periods as President of the Bible Class, Sunday School teacher, poor steward, and secretary of the Sunday School, and the duties attached to these positions were carried out with courtesy, tolerance and thoroughness which characterised all that he said and did. He was also musically inclined, and sang in the Wesleyan Church choir, and was also a member of the Huthwaite and Sutton Harmonic Society. After his marriage about five years ago he resided in Charnwood Street, Sutton, but he never severed his connection with the Huthwaite Wesleyan Church. Being almost six feet high, and of good physique, he was put in the Coldstream Guards, and was in training up to last Christmas. He had been in France about six months, and had been in the fighting all the time. He leaves a widow, but no children.
