Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research.
Reginald Theo Gough Farindon was born on 4th October 1893 in Newdigate, Surrey to grocer John and Lilian Alice (nee Gough). He was baptised on 21st January 1894 at St Peter’s Church in Newdigate.
Reginald’s father John Farindon was born in the 4th quarter of 1866 in Dorking to grocer James, born about 1832 in Newdigate and Harriet, born about 1832 in Betchworth, Surrey. John was baptised on 24th February 1867 at St Peter’s Church in Newdigate. At the time of the 1881 Census, John was a grocer’s assistant at the Village Grocer’s Shop in Newdigate. Reginald’s mother Lilian was born in the 2nd quarter of 1868 in Holmwood, to Clement Gough, born about 1841 in Dorking and Fanny, born about 1842 in East Grinstead in Sussex. John and Lilian married in the 4th quarter of 1892 in Dorking.
Reginald had two siblings: Irene born about 1896 in Newdigate and Ronald born about 1899 in Holmwood.
At the time of the 1901 Census, John, his wife Lilian and their children Reginald, Irene and Roland lived with Lilian’s aunt Rosa Elizabeth Gough at Wymbletons House, Holmwood. John was working as a grocer’s assistant.
In May 1902 Reginald was admitted into Dorking High School for Boys. At the time of his admission the family lived at Wymbletons. Prior his admission into the school Reginald was educated at home. In 1908 he received Pitman’s Elementary Shorthand Certificate. In July 1911 he received London University Junior Certificate.
On the 25th of July 1911 Reginald left Dorking High School for Boys. At this time his family lived at Wymletons House and John was working as a commercial traveller. Reginald left the school to become an auctioneer and surveyor.
At the time of the 1911 Census, Lilian and her children Reginald, Irene and Roland lived with Lilian’s aunt Rosa at Wymbletons House.The house had fourteen rooms.
At the time of the 1911 Census, Reginald’s father John was staying with cab driver Henry Cecil Firmager at Station Road in Dorking. John was working as a traveller. The accommodation had four rooms. John died on 8th April 1916 at St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London. He left his wife Lilian £92, 19s and 6d in a Probate.
Reginald enlisted into the 2nd/15th Battalion the London Regiment (Prince of Wales Own Civil Service Rifles). He was a Private with regimental number 3449.
He served in several theatres of war: 1(a) [The Western Front] 23.6.16 – 19.11.16; 2(a) [Balkans] 30.11.16-20-6.17; 4(b) [Egypt] 23.6.17.-17.6.18 and 1(a) [The Western Front] 23.6.18-17.8.18.
At the time of his death he was part of the 2nd/15 Battalion the London Regiment (Prince of Wales Own Civil Service Rifles). His new regimental number was: 531179.
Reginald Farindon was killed in an action on 17th August 1918 in France.
He is buried at the Godewaersvelde British Cemetery in France. His cemetery number is: II.AA.1. The headstone bears the inscription: “In Loving Memory”.
He received the British War and Victory medals.
Reginald’s mother Lilian received £11, 6s and 3d on 1st January 1919 and a further £15 and 10s on 30th December 1919 in Soldier’s Effects. She later lived at Hillside, North Holmwood.
| Born | Newdigate, Surrey | |
|---|---|---|
| Lived | Holmwood, Surrey | |
| Son of | John and Lilian (nee Gough) of Wymbletons House, Holmwood | |
| Regiment | 2nd/15th Battalion. The London Regiment. Prince of Wales Own Civil Service Rifles | |
| Number | 3449 | |
| Date of Death | 17th August 1918 | |
| Place of Death | France | |
| Cause of Death | Killed in action | |
| Age | 24 | |
| Cemetery | Godewaersvelde British Cemetery, France |
