Michael Farrell - World War One – Parramatta Soldiers

World War One – Parramatta Soldiers - Michael Farrell

Private Michael Farrell was the brother of John and Daniel Dominic Farrell who also served in the First World War. Michael was employed as a bridge labourer by the Queensland Railway Department in Mackay at the time of his enlistment, but his brother and sister lived in Mechan Street Granville, NSW. Michael was 30 years old when embarked at Brisbane on the HMAT Kyarra A55 on the 31 January 1916.

On the 9 November 1916 Michael was injured through a gunshot wound in Camiers, France and was transferred to the 1 London General Hospital in England, but by the 16 December he was discharged and marched out to Perham Downs. In March 1917 he proceeded overseas to France and in April he rejoined his 26 Battalion. On the 5 May he was once again injured through gunshot wound, and admitted to the 10 General Hospital in Rouen, France. By the 9 June he had rejoined his Battalion in France and a week later he was detached to the 5 Army Sniping School. On the 23 June he rejoined his unit.

Michael Farrell was killed in action on the 29 October 1917 in Belgium, and buried in the Ypres Reservoir North Cemetery, Belgium.

Forgotten Indian Soldiers of World War One

"Very few people are aware of the role Indian troops played in both world wars," Peter Francis of the Commonwealth Graves Commission said. "In some Indian units the casualty rate was 80%. In three days' fighting in Neuve Chapelle in 1915, for instance, some 4,200 Indian soldiers perished." Most of the soldiers and sailors buried at Wünsdorf died of disease while stationed at the prisoner of war camp in the nearby town of Zossen.
 

For more than 80 years the German graveyard where Jafarullah Mohammad, Mata Din Singh and 204 other Indian volunteers are buried was forgotten.

Until 29^th October 2005, there was nothing to identify the quiet, leafy spot where Jafarullah Mohammad and Mata Din Singh were buried. The two servicemen were among thousands of Indian volunteers who fought for Britain in the World War 1. On 29^th October 2005, the war cemetery in Wünsdorf (about 40kms from Berlin) was officially reopened. Reopening ceremony was attended by diplomats from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh and officials from Russia and France, to honour Tartar soldiers who are buried there.

Arthur Cyril Field - World War One – Parramatta Soldiers

World War One – Parramatta Soldiers - Arthur Cyril Field

Private Arthur Cyril Field was an engineer and 27 years old when he embarked from Sydney in October 1914 on the HMAT Argyllshire A8. Arthur was born in Leamington Spas, England, but enlisted in Sydney in September 1914. Arthur did not live in Granville, but was well known in Granville society as he was a frequent guest at many of the Masonic Balls held at the Granville Town Hall.

Arthur was ranked as a Bombadier when he joined the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force (MEF) in April 2015. In July 2015 he was suffered a gunshot wound to the left shoulder at Gallipoli, and was admitted to a Casualty Clearing Station. Later in the year in September he contracted influenza and was admitted to the Australian Auxillary Hospital in Harefield England. By October 1915 however he was discharged as a result of an appointment of a commission in the Royal Garrison Artillery. Arthur Cyril Field later qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal for his service in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF).