The Friends of Darwen Cemetery are pleased to report that two Darwen WW1 casualties have finally been recognised by the CWGC when the headstones for Squire Haworth and John Farnhill were installed in the cemetery on Wednesday, 15th December 2021.
Squire Haworth Grave in Section B
Squire Haworth (25) joined the East Lancashire regiment 1st April 1915 and two months later in was in the trenches on the Western Front. It was during the Second Battle of Ypres. He developed diabetes and he was returned to England in February 1916 and was discharged medically unfit for the army the following month. In June 1916 he succumbed to the effect of his diseases. At the end of the war his family received his war medals – the Victory & British War Medals; 1914-15 Star. He is remembered for the war memorial in the Central United Reformed Church.
John Farnhill Grave in Section 5
John Farnhill (39) saw action with the East Lancashire Regiment in the South African War. On the outbreak of WW1 he enlisted and saw action in France from march 1915 but was discharged from the army, medically unfit, in June 1916. By the end of November 1917, he felt fit enough and re-joined the army and again saw action in France until be contracted tuberculosis and was discharged on 1st October 1918 and died two months later. He was awarded the Victory & British War Medals; 1914-15 Star; Silver War Badge. John is remembered in St Joseph’s war memorial.
A big thanks to Tony Foster for all his hard work in researching the two soldiers and communication with the CWGC “ In from the cold “ to achieve the erection of the CWGC headstones.
FODC December 2021