Lieutenant John Percival Farren
Date of Birth | 11 May 1894 |
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Age at Death | 22 |
Date of Death | 13 November 1916 |
Service Number | |
Military Service | 3rd Battalion Suffolk Regiment |
Merton Address | 7 Cambridge Road, Wimbledon |
Local Memorial | Wimbledon Parish Church |
Additional Information
John was born in Barnes on 11 May, 1894 and baptised at the local parish church on 4 July. He was the son of Percy “William” Farren and his wife Adelaide.
John came from a theatrical dynasty. His grandfather had been a vaudeville actor of some repute and his father who adopted the stage name, William Farren Jr, even had a supporting role in a 1920 silent comedy film, La Poupee (The Doll).
John had an older brother, Philip, who attended art school, plus an older sister, Helen, who died in infancy. By 1911 the Farren family was living in an eight room house at 7 Cambridge Road, Wimbledon.
John was educated at King’s College School, which had an effective cadet force. During the war he served with the Royal West Surrey Regiment, before transferring to the Suffolk Regiment where he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. He was killed in action in November 1916 and is commemorated at Wimbledon Parish Church.