28249 Private Frank Farnden, 15th Hampshire Regt

Chailey Parish Magazine first notes that Frank Farnden is serving his King and Country in its October 1914 issue. A year later, that information is updated to note that he is a private serving with the 8th Field Bakery in France. His name is also mis-spelt as Farndon.

In January 1917, Chailey Parish Magazine notes that Frank Farnden is now with the 13th Field Bakery and this is updated in December 1917 to note that he is serving with the 15th Hampshire Regiment. It is this latter information which appears on Frank Farnden’s medal index card at the National Archives where he is recorded as 28249 Private Frank Farnden, Hampshire Regt.

A search of the 1901 census reveals two individuals called Frank Farnden, one of these with Sussex connections. He is 14 year old Frank Farnden, born in Woodford Green, Essex but living at Valetta, De Chem Road, Hastings with his family. The household comprised Eva Farnden, head (aged 40), a widow living on her means and her three sons: Frank, Herbert A (aged 13) and Kenneth (aged 11). There was also a parlour maid, Kate S Parfield (aged 27).