41137 Corporal Charles Thomas Farland (9/9/1891-30/8/1918). "a fine musician"

CORPORAL FARLAND. 

Corporal Chas. T. Farland, who was reported killed in action, but now reported as missing, was a prominent member of the Civil Service Harriers and a promising athlete, and of the 84 members of the club who have gone on active service he is the thirteenth member reported to have made the supreme sacrifice. Corporal Farland was also a fine musician, and many a club social gathering was enlivened by his talent. The Civil Service Harriers extend their sincere sympathy to his relatives.  -Evening Star, 19/9/1918.

Charles Farland served with "A" Company, 1st Battalion of the NZ Rifles.  On the day that he died his company was participating in the final stages of the Battle of Bapaume, a French town which was strongly held by German forces which were becoming more and more desperate and stubborn as the Allied armies approached Germany.

In accordance with instructions, each of the leading companies skirted the village, leaving its mopping-up to the support company. "A" Company progressed steadily, clearing without serious difficulty some isolated buildings and a trench system running round the south of the village, and then, pressing forward up the slope, carried the final position with a rush. Except for some stiff fighting in the sunken road marking its left flank, and a sharp struggle about a dug-out position confronting the centre when half-way up the rise, this company, during the concluding stage of its advance, nowhere found the enemy's direct resistance sufficiently stubborn to cause a check, but as they approached the crest the men fell fast under the enfilade fire coming in from the right. -Official History of the NZ Rifle Brigade.

After the Battle Charles was reported as "killed," then "missing," and later "killed."  He has no known grave.

J. W. Farland received the sad news yesterday that his youngest brother, Sergeant Chas. Farland, had been killed at the front. The young soldier was in the railway service before leaving for the seat of war about two years ago, his home being at Dunedin. He was a particularly smart type of non-commissioned officer and both at Trentham and in England he occupied the position of sergeant-instructor. He was sent over to France in the early part of the year when the demand for men was urgent during the British withdrawal and had been in the fighting line ever since. His family will have every sympathy in their loss. Another brother was gassed some time ago but has recovered sufficiently to take charge of a soldier's club in England. Mr Farland received word again today that one of his nephews, Pte. Les. Whitelaw, son of Mr A. Whitelaw, of the Post staff, has been wounded at the front. Private Whitelaw holds the Distinguished Conduct Medal. It is a curious coincidence and a striking testimony to the family courage that his brother should also have won the same decoration and another cousin, should have been awarded the D.C.M. as well. The three cousins went away from the Dominion together and have been associated ever since. Their record is a unique and very creditable one.  -Horowhenua Chronicle, 14/9/1918.

Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin