FARLEY, Jack

Irish born Jack Farley was the son of James and Sarah Farley of County Cavan, Ireland. He was a twenty seven year old labourer at Inverell when he enlisted in December 1915. With the First Contingent of The Kurrajongs, he left Inverell on 12 January 1916 for the Narrabri camp.

Shortly afterwards the men were moved to Armidale where they joined the 33rd Battalion and trained prior to leaving Australia on HMAT A74 Marathon in May.  Upon arrival in England, Jack trained with his Battalion at Salisbury Plain until transferred to the 1st Battalion and sent to France in September.

By 5 November 1916, he had been wounded and captured by the Germans. As a Prisoner of War, Jack was interred at Reserve Lazarett, Germany until transferred to Holland in January 1918 and then to England.  He had a gunshot wound to his left leg and wounded right arm.  His leg had been amputated through the thigh and he spent the next six months in and out of hospital until returned to Australia on board the hospital ship ‘Kanowna’ in June 1918. He was eventually discharged in March 1919.  Jack died in Sydney in June 1921 and is buried at Rookwood Cemetery.

Private Jack Farley is remembered at Inverell where his name is inscribed on the town’s Honor Roll.