WILLIAM GEORGE FARTHING

Registered at birth as GEORGE GEOFFREY FARTHING.

Born: 5th January 1872, Holton St. Mary, Suffolk.

Died: 21st May 1900; age: 28; Died of Enteric Fever at Estcourt, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

ENTERIC FEVER   Enteric Fever (eneterica serotype bacteria) was a rampant bacterial infection during the South Africa Boer War – 1899 – 1902.

This systemic disease, now known as Typhoid Fever, from the bacterium Salmonella typhi, is characterised by fever and abdominal pain. The disease is spread via the lymphatic system and can affect other parts of the body, or even the whole body. The symptoms usually developed a week or two after a person had became infected bringing on a high temperature, headaches, coughs, lethargy, aches and pains, lose of appetite, sickness and diarrhoea. After 2 – 3 weeks intestinal bleeding.

Enteric Fever was originally thought to be spread via dust storms and flies.

Human carriers with acute illness can contaminate the surrounding water supply through their faeces, which contains a high concentration of the bacteria. The polluted water supply can, in turn, taint the food supply. Enteric (Typhoid) Fever is then contracted by drinking, or eating the contaminated food or water. This bacteria can survive for weeks in water or dried sewage.

In 1897, an effective vaccine was developed by Almroth Wright and William Leisman, at the Army Medical School, Netley. At the time of the Boer War, the new inoculation had many side effects, and soldiers refused the voluntary immunisation. The inoculation was still voluntary in August 1914, when Great Britain entered the First World War. 

Residence: Dale Hall Lodge, Lawford, Essex.

Wounded: November 1899.

Rank: Sergeant; Service Number: 5784.

Regiment: King’s Royal Rifle Corps, Natal Field Force.

Clasps Awarded: Tugela Heights & Relief of Ladysmith.

CENSUS

1881   Lower Street, Stratford St. Mary, Suffolk.

George was 9 years old and living with his mother at her place of employment – John William Brook, a Land Agent and Auctioneer.

Emily Abigail Farthing (nee Beaumont), 47, a Housekeeper, born Whitechapel, London.

In 1881, George’s father, William Farthing, 50, a Gardener, born Stratford St. Mary, Suffolk was living at the family home at Holton St. Mary, with George’s step brother – Robert Read Farthing, 20, a Groom, born Holton St. Mary – Robert immigrated in 1884, to Minnosota, U.S.A.

Probate to William Farthing – father, a Stockman.

Soldiers’ Effects to William Farthing – father.

The Boer War.