From an interview conducted 10th October 2002 Presented by Siân Alcott

Elijah Farnell (born 1876), was one of 7 sons born into a family destined to suffer appalling tragedies in the ensuing years.  His father John was a miner from Brewood, and his mother Ellen came from Compton.  The family home was 27 Low Street, Cheslyn Hay.  The only memories of this couple were of Ellen enjoying a jug of ale brought from nearby pubs or beerhouses.5 of the 7 sons saw action in WWI, of which only 2 survived.  Thomas (born 1880), was a Sergeant in the 7th Battalion of the South Staffordshire Regiment, after serving with the Coldstream Guards in the Boer War.  Despite surviving the horrors of war, he died in a pit accident.  William (born 1882), known as ‘Strapper’, served with the RAMC and was sent home after being gassed.  Samson (born 1877), was with 179th Company Royal Engineers, suffered an agonising death on the Somme.  After a short pass behind the lines, he imbibed some poisonous wine and died in the trenches on 23rd December 1915.  Richard (born 1890) was in the Royal Engineers 178th Company and died on the Somme on 2nd July 1916.  After receiving a letter telling him he was to become a father, he stood up waving the letter and a sniper picked him out.  George (born 1887) was with the South Staffordshire Regiment and was killed on his 19th birthday on 4th March 1916.  Edwin (1894) volunteered, but was refused.  Elijah was exempt because he was a miner.
Two other brothers, Henry (1872) a miner and John (1878) a labourer fall off the census, and therefore it is presumed that they died in the 1890s.  The only daughter, Harriet (born 1875), slipped carrying water from the Town Well fracturing her skull.  She needed care for the rest of her life and died aged 50 in St Matthews Hospital, Burntwood.
Elijah was singularly minded and was known for his quick temper.  It is documented in the school log book that he refused to be caned and took out a knife to ‘defend’ himself.  He would not be put on and allegedly bit off a mans thumb in an argument.
Elijah’s wife, Annie Hitchcott, was from Willenhall, and they raised 5 children at 17 Cross Street: John, Nancy (who died aged 3), Ellen, Leslie, Henry (Harry) and Elijah (known as Bob).  Elijah senior was never a drinking man and spent his spare time growing vegetables on an allotment in Rosemary Road.  He also kept pigeons, once winning a gold medal.  He always voted Tory and was vehemently against the General Strike, always refusing to join a union.
Elijah had a hard working life and his retirement years were snatched away due to a pit accident.  He smashed his thumb and gangrene set in.  He died in April 1941 aged 65.
Ellen his daughter, composed a poignant poem to commemorate Armistice Day, Ellen had lost 3 uncles in the Great War and was just 11 years of age:
‘Come boys and girls you’ve heard the gun
And that means some real good fun
But in the joy revere the dead
Whose precious blood was nobly shed.
Some mothers will think in sorrow
For their sons lives, we did borrow
To fight for King, country and home
In a foreign land, they died alone.’


Back Again by popular demand
On Thursday December 11th at 7.30pm
In the school Room at Salem Methodist Church

We present
The Plank Singers
A Local Choral group who never fail to entertain whatever your musical preference
Come along for a sing song to get you in the festive mood.

1 Comment »