It was common knowledge that Farr was suffering from a medical condition that was then known as shell shock. On four occasions during 1915-16, he reported sick with his nerves. On the first occasion in May 1915, he was in hospital for five months. He had an uncontrollable shake that was so bad that nurses had to write his letters home to his wife. During April 1916 he reported sick again with his nerves and spent two weeks at a dressing station. In July he reported sick with the same complaint and was in hospital for two days. During September he reported sick to RMS Haking who told him to go to the dressing station, but because he did not appear to be wounded they refused to see him. RMS Haking now told him to go up to the front line with a ration party, but Farr remained at the transport lines.
Two accounts of what followed are detailed in the only too brief court martial papers that are reproduced below. Farr's account has a greater ring of truth to it. There is no evidence he was ever given an opportunity to request a "soldier's friend" and so defended himself. For a man as ill as he was, it was a formidable exercise. The entire proceedings took about twenty minutes.
The court was negligent in that it never explored Farr's medical condition sufficiently. It's interesting that the Medical Officer, who wasn't qualified in psychiatry, should later formally report his examination in a letter. Why did he take this unusual step? But it's clear he was uncertain of Farr's health. Why did he change the condition from good to satisfactory? 2nd. Lt. Marshall's evidence also reinforced the fact Farr was ill. And his medical history spoke volumes. He had relapsed having never fully recovered. Military experts agree, he should have been examined by an specialist in shell shock but was instead seen by a hard-pressed MO. Harry Farr was not only failed by the medical profession but more importantly the army itself who at the end of the day were in overall command.
The court accepted evidence presented by the Prosecution without question, even though the Defence contradicted it.
The senior officers responsible for confirming the court’s sentence accepted hearsay evidence in their approval of Farr's execution.
Captain Wilson's positive estimation of his character and his virtually unblemished disciplinary record were nullified by his Brigade Commander and negative gossip communicated by his Divisional Commander to Lt. General Cavan. What follows is that actual record of the trial kept at the Public Record Office.
Public Record Office, Kew - File No: WO71/509
Field General Court Martial at VILLE-SUR-ANCRE, 2 October 1916
Alleged Offender: No.8871 Pte. Harry T. FARR 1st Bn. West Yorkshire Regt.
Offence Charged: Section 4.(7) Army Act (Misbehaving before the enemy in such a manner as to show cowardice)
Plea: Not Guilty
Finding and sentence: Guilty. Death.
President: Lt. Col. F. Spring 11th Bn. Essex Regt.
Members: Capt. J. Jones 2nd Bn. Durham Light Infantry
Lt. C. A. V. Newsome 14th Bn. Durham Light Infantry
Convening Officer: [signed] Bridgeford Brig.Genl. Commanding 18th Infy.Bde.
Confirmed: [signed] D. Haig Genl. 14 Oct: 16
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Promulgated and extracts taken this 17th day of October 1916
[signed] A.M. Boyall Major
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I certify that the sentence was duly carried out at Carnoy at 6 a.m. on 18th October 1916 [signed] A.J.D. Simey Capt. A.P.M. VI Divn.
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PROCEEDINGS (Verbatim)
PROSECUTION
1st Witness - No.7284 Reg. Sgt. Major H. HAKING, 1/W.Yorks Regt. sworn states:
On 17th Sept. 1916 about 9 a.m. the accused reported himself to me at the 1st Line Transport - he stated he was sick and had fallen out from his company the night previous on the march up to the trenches. He stated he could not find his Co. Comdr. for permission to fall out. I ordered him to report sick at the Dressing Station. When he returned he stated they would not see him as he was not wounded. I then ordered him to proceed up to the Bn. with the ration party which was going in the evening. The ration party paraded at about 8 p.m. - the accused was present & marched off with it. On arrival at the ration dump Co Q.M.S. Booth reported to me [that the accused was missing]. On returning the 1st Line T.port about 11 p.m. I saw the accused standing near a brazier. I asked him why he was there. He replied "I cannot stand it". I asked him what he meant - he again replied "I cannot stand it". I told him he would have to go to the trenches that night. He replied "I cannot go". I ordered Co.Q.M.S. Booth take him up to the trenches under escort. After going 500 yards the accused commenced to scream & struggle with his escort. I again warned him that he would have to go to the trenches or be tried for cowardice. He replied "I am not fit to go to the trenches. I then said I would take him to see a Medical Officer - he refused to go, saying "I will not go any further that way". I ordered the escort to take him on - the accused again started struggling and screaming. I ordered the escort to leave him alone when he jumped up and ran back to the 1st Line Tpt. I placed him in charge of a Guard at the 1st Line Transport.
2nd Witness - No.7846 Co.Q.M.S. J.W. Booth 1/W. Yorks Regt. sworn states:
On the 17th Sept. 1916 about 3 p.m. I warned the accused to parade with carrying party at 6 p.m. to go up and join his company in the trenches. The accused paraded and marched off with the ration party. On arrival at the ration dump the accused was absent, having fallen out on the way up without permission. About 9 p.m. I saw the accused near the 1st Line Transport. The Reg. Sgt. Maj. ordered me to take the accused up under escort to the trenches. About 500 yards from the 1st Line Transport the accused became violent, threatened the escort and eventually broke away, returning to the 1st Line Transport. The Reg. Sgt. Major ordered me to place the accused in charge of a Guard.
3rd Witness - No.6385 Pte, D. Farrar, 1st W. Yorks. Regt. sworn, states:
On 17th Sept. 1916 about 11.30 p.m. I was ordered by Co.Q.M.S. Booth to form part of an escort to take the accused up to his company in the Trenches. After going about 500 yards the accused started struggling and saying he wanted to see a Doctor - the Sgt. Maj. said he would see one when he got a bit further up. The accused refused to go any further. I tried to pull him along. The Sgt. Maj. told me to let go and the accused then went back to the 1st Line Transport.
4th Witness - No.8120 L.Cpl. W. Form 1/W Yorks Regt. sworn states:
On 17th Sept. 1916 about 11.30 p.m. I was detailed by Co.Q.M.S. Booth to take the accused up to the Trenches from the 1st Line Transport. After going 500 yds. the accused became violent & started shouting and eventually broke away from the escort. We followed him and found him at the 1st Line Transport. The Reg. Sgt. Maj. then ordered me to be in charge of a guard over the accused.
DEFENCE
1st Witness - The Accused. No.8871 Private H. Farr 1/W Yorks. Regt. sworn states:
On 16th Sept. 1916 when going up to the trenches with my Company I fell out sick. I could not find the Co. Officer to obtain permission or the Sergt. I asked has now been wounded. I went back to the 1st Line Transport arriving there about 2 a.m. on 17th September 1916. I would have reported at once to the Reg. Sgt. Maj. only I was told he was asleep. I reported about 9 a.m. on 17th Sept. The Sergt. Maj. told me to go to the advanced dressing station - they however would not see me there as I was not wounded. The Sgt. Maj. told me to go up with the ration party at night.
I started with this party & had to fall out sick - I could not get permission as I was in the rear & the Sergt. Maj. was in front, but left word with a Private soldier.
I returned to the 1st Line Tpt. hoping to report sick to some medical officer there. On the Sgt. Major's return I reported to him & said I was sick & could not stand it. He then said, "You are a fucking coward & you will go to the trenches. I give fuck all for my life & I give fuck all for yours & I'll get you fucking well shot". The Sergt. Maj., Co.Q.M.S. Booth, & Pte. Farrar then took me up towards the Trenches. We went about a mile when we met a carrying party returning under L.Cp. Form - the Sergt. Maj. asked L.Cp. Form where I was & he replied, "Run away, same as he did last night". I said to the Sergt. Major "You have got this all made up for me".
The Sgt. Maj. then told L. Cp. Form to fall out two men & take me up to the Trenches. They commenced to shove me - I told them not to as I was sick enough as it was. The Sgt. Maj. then grabbed my rifle & said, "I'll blow your fucking brains out if you don’t go". I then called out for an officer but there were none there. I was then tripped up & commenced to struggle. After this I do not know what happened until I found myself back in the 1st Line Transport under a guard. If the escort had not started to shove me about I would have gone up to the Trenches: it was on account of their doing this that I commenced to struggle.
Cross examined by Prosecutor:
Q: Did you have an opportunity of reporting sick between 16th Sept. & 2nd October?
A: Yes - after I was put under arrest on 18th September.
Questioned by the Court:
Q: Why did you not report sick after 18th September up to the present date?
A: Because being away from the shell fire, I felt better.
DEFENCE
2nd Witness - No.9234 Serg. J. Andrews 1st W/Yorks Regt. sworn, states:
The accused reported sick with nerves about April 1916 - the medical officer detained him for a fortnight in the dressing station. He reported again for the same cause on 22.7.16 and was detained for the day, being discharged to duty the following day.
The medical officer, Capt. Evans RAMC, who saw him has been wounded.
[signed] F. Spring Lt.Col. Presdt. F.G.C.M. 2.X.16
EVIDENCE AS TO CHARACTER
1st Witness - Lt. & Adjt. W. Paul 1st W. Yorks. Regt. sworn states:
I produce A.F.B. 122 and a copy of same. Accused has 6 years service of which 1 11/12 yrs. has been spent in France.
2nd Witness - 2 Lieut. L. P. Marshall 1st W. Yorks. Regt. sworn, states:
I have known the accused for the last 6 weeks. On working parties he has three times asked for leave to fall out & return to camp as he could not stand the noise of the artillery. He was trembling & did not appear in a fit state.
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Army Form A.F.B. 122 [Conduct Sheet]
Name: Farr, H.T.
Corps: West Yorkshire
Date of Enlistment: 8 - 5 - 08
Place: Date of Offence: Offence: Names of Punishment
Hursley Park 1 Nov 1914
Offence: Overstaying his pass from 1 Nov 1914 midnight until 7.30 p.m. 3.11.14
Witnesses: L.C Kente; Sgt. Barker
Punishment awarded: 10 Days CB / Forfeits 3 days pay by. Lt.Col. Phillips
(signed) M.B. Riall Capt.
Certified true copy: W. Paul Lieut. & Adjt.
1st Bn. West Yorkshire Regt.
[signed] F. Spring Lt. Col. / Pres. F.G.C.M. 2.X.16
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Certificate: 8871 Pte. FARR
I certify that the marginally named man is fit to undergo the strain of trial by Field General Court Martial.
[signed] W. Williams Captain RAMC
M.O. i/c 1st Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment
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To: the Adjutant, 1st West Yorks.
I hereby certify that I examined No.8871 Pte. H. Farr, 1st West Yorks on Oct. 2nd 1916 & that in my opinion his general physical & mental condition were good satisfactory.
7/10/16 W.Williams M.O. i/c 1st W.Y.
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6th Division.
Forwarded. Reports attached present C.O. is new and does not know the man's Previous record.
[signed] Bridgeford Brig. Genl. Comdg. 18 I.B. 7.10.16
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Report on 8871 Pte. Farr, H. 1st West Yorkshire Regt.
This man came out with the 2nd Bn. West Yorkshire Regt. 5.11.14 & was sent down to the Base with shell shock 9.5.15. He joined the 1st Bn. West Yorkshire Regt. 20.10.15. He remained continuously with this Bn. until his trial by F.G.C.M.
I cannot say what has destroyed this man's nerves, but he has proved himself on many occasions incapable of keeping his head in action & likely to cause a panic.
Apart from his behaviour under fire, his conduct & character are very good.
A Wilson, Capt. OC A Coy, 1st West York. Regt.
9.45 pm 7.10.16
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HQ 6th Division
I consider this is a case where the sentence should be carried out.
[signed] Bridgeford Comdg. 18th Bde.
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14th Corps .A.
I recommend that the extreme penalty be enforced.
C. Ross Maj. Gen Comd. 6th Div.
4/10/16
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4th Army
The charge of "cowardice" seems to be clearly proved & the Sergt. Major's opinion of the man is definitely bad to say the least of it.
The G.O.C. 6th Div. informs me that the men know the man is no good.
I therefore recommend that the sentence be carried out.
6.10.16 [signed] Cavan Lieut. General, Commanding 14th Corps
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Adjutant General, General Headquarters (through D.J.A.G.)
Forwarded. I recommend that the sentence be carried out.
[signed] Rawlinson
General, Commanding Fourth Army
Headquarters,
Fourth Army,
11/10/1916
A.G.
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DEATH CERTIFICATE
I certify that No: 8871, Private HARRY FARR of 1st Bn: West Yorkshire Regiment was executed by shooting at 6 a.m. on 18th October, 1916, at CARNOY. Death was instantaneous.
[signed] A. Anderson Capt. R.A.M.C.
M.O. i/c 6th D.A.C.
