The AIF Project

James Lascelles FARRANT

Regimental number6320
Place of birthPerth, Western Australia
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationTimber clerk
AddressPerth, Western Australia
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation25
Height5' 6.5"
Weight160 lbs
Next of kinFather, John Farrant, 158 St George's Terrace, Perth, Western Australia
Previous military serviceNil (previously rejected for enlistment in the Royal Australian Navy on account of defective teeth)
Enlistment date13 October 1916
Place of enlistmentPerth, Western Australia
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name27th Battalion, 18th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/44/4
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Fremantle, Western Australia, on board HMAT A35 Berrima on 23 December 1916
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll27th Battalion
FateDied of wounds 22 March 1917
Age at death from cemetery records25
Place of burialDurrington Cemetery (Grave No. 226), Wiltshire, England
Panel number, Roll of Honour,
  Australian War Memorial
110
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Parents: John and Emily Kadina FARRANT, 158 St. George's Terrace, Perth, Western Australia
Family/military connectionsBrother: 1688 Pte Harold Lascelles FARRANT, 3rd Machine Gun Squadron, returned to Australia, 28 January 1919.
Other details

War service: England

Embarked from Fremantle, 23 December 1916; admitted to ship's hospital, 22 January 1917; discharged, 25 January 1917; disembarked Devonport, England, 16 February 1917.

Admitted to Fargo Military Hospital, 9 March 1917 (pneumonia: severe).

Died of haemorrhage from self-inflicted wound to the throat (razor); Coroner's inquest, 23 March 1917, returned a verdict of 'suicide whilst temporarily insane'. Sister Abbott and Nurse Baker, without being sworn, stated that the 'deceased had been very ill, but had shown no symptoms of depression or delerium'.

Medal: British War Medal

Father requested the following headstone inscription, 6 September 1921: 'In Memoriam. James Lascelles Farrant age 25. He gave his life for my mother land. During his short life his heart was ever open to suffering - but God in His infinite mercy has only called his own. Requiescat in pace.' On being informed that it far exceeded the permitted 66 letters, he replied, 'I am afraid I have forgotten what I wrote. Kindly shorten to best advantage'.
SourcesNAA: B2455, FARRANT James Lascelles

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