220484 Rfmn. James William Farr British Army 1st Btn. Rifle Brigade from:Luton James Farr was my maternal great Grandfather and an "Old Contemptible". James was born in 1884 and enlisted on 14th October,1902 into the 1st battalion of the Rifle Brigade. When the UK declared war on 5th August, the Brigade was stationed in Colchester and was initially held in reserve in England (to guard against a possible German invasion). With the invasion fears dispelled the Brigade embarked for Europe and landed in Le Harve on 23rd August 1914.
James and the Battalion were immediately committed to combat operations and fought in the battle of Le Catteau on the 26th August covering the retreat of the BEF from Mons. James was wounded in the arm during the battle and became one of over two thousand men who were captured by the advancing German forces and all within 3 days of arriving in France.
Unlike many of the Old Contemptibles in the BEF, James survived the war although his left arm was largely useless thereafter. James passed away in 1955.
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