Selected Biographies

Farthing, Frederick – Born: Hartest, Suffolk in 1852.  Parents: Thomas Farthing (Carpenter) and Susan [née Jackson].  Family Connections: Brother to John Farthing [b1864].  Home: Green Place, Hartest, Suffolk (1861), Military Barracks, St Helier, Jersey (1881), Military Barracks, Newmarket Road, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk (1891), Somerton Road, Hartest (1901 to 1911).  Occupation: Butcher [1870], Soldier (1881 to 1891), Caretaker of the Hartest Village Club (1901 to 1911).  Married: Emily Georgina Comber in 1882.  Service Record: Frederick enlisted in 1870 as Pte.1527 with 2^nd Battalion, 12^th Regiment of Foot, having previously served in the West Suffolk Militia as Pte.5606.  He was posted to India from 1870 to 1878, rising the rank of sergeant by 1881 and colour sergeant two years later.  In 1885 he transferred to 3^rd [Militia] Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, receiving his discharge in 1893.[1]  Died: Sudbury in 1920.

Farthing, John – Born: Hartest, Suffolk in 1864.  Parents: Thomas Farthing (Carpenter) and Susan [née Jackson].  Family Connections: Brother to Frederick Farthing [b1852].  Home: Green Place, Hartest, Suffolk (1871), 24 Albert Gate, Westminster, London (1891), emigrated to the USA [1903], New York City, USA [1910].  Occupation: Butler (1891), Manservant to Isidor Straus American businessman and politician and co-owner of Macy’s Department Store in New York [1912].  Married: Ellen Rose Spicer [d1895] in 1892 and Thirza Ann Richmond née Germany in 1908.  Died John took passage as the valet of Isidor and Ida Straus from Southampton aboard the RMS Titanic on its ill-fated maiden voyage across the North Atlantic.  He drowned after the vessel struck an iceberg on 15.4.1912, his employers also perished in the tragedy.[2]

Notes – [1] Chelsea Pensioners British Army Service Records 1760-1913 [WO 97/117/47].  [2] Additional information from www.encyclopedia-titanica.org.