Johnny William Farndale

(“Newcastle Johnny”)

5 March 1919 to April 1986

The Youngest Jarrow Marcher

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I am very grateful to Johnny’s grand-daughter, Donna, who has helped me to tell his story.

Jarrow

John William Farndale, son of John Willie and Elizabeth (nee Todd) Farndale, was born into the South Shields 2 Line in Jarrow on Tyne on 5 March 1919. He was living with his parents and six siblings in Jarrow in 1921.

The Jarrow Marches, 5 to 31 October 1936

John was the youngest member of the 185 men who set off on the Jarrow marches in October 1936.

Boer War veteran George Smith, aged 61, and 18 year old John Farndale, the oldest and youngest member of the Jarrow band of workers

George Smith, the oldest marcher, examines the boots of the youngest marcher, John Farndale

There is a sweet picture of the oldest and youngest marchers, John Farndale who at 18 had worked two weeks since leaving school at 14 and Geordie Smith, 62, a veteran of the Boer War. A suggestion that the youngest marcher never came back, but stayed in London to work as a baker’s assistant is not quite right, as although Johnny did stay for a while as a baker’s assistant, he soon returned to Newcastle.

On 5 November 1936 hundreds of people watched the departure of the special train containing the Jarrow Marchers from Kings Cross station today. Mr P Malcolm Stewart, formerly Commissioner for Distressed Areas, said goodbye to them, and also on the platform was Miss Ellen Wilkinson MP, who had been with the men during their crusade, and who presented the petition in the House of Commons. The men expressed disappointment at the reception of their petition, but were gratified at the general attitude of people in London towards them. Alderman J W Thompson, Mayor of Jarrow, who returned with the men, said to a Press Association reporter: “It was as I expected. I cannot say that I am disappointed at the way the petition was received, but I feel now that the people in the South have a more intimate knowledge of our plight in Jarrow, and from that I expect some result.” One of the marches, John Farndale, of Clyde Rd, Jared, has taken a job as a baker's assistant in London, and another, Thomas Dobson, of Stanley Street, Jarrow, is staying at Hendon Cottage Hospital for a few days for treatment before returning.

John worked as a baker’s assistant in London for a short period of time.

Gateshead

Johnny soon returned to Gateshead. He was a successful bare knuckle fighter and came to be known as Newcastle Johnny.

In 1939, he lived at 9 Ross Avenue, Gateshead. He was single and working as a public works labourer.

Johnny was a rag and bone man for a time.

In August 1961 he lived at Westmorland Road, Newcastle.

John William Farndale, married Catherine Slater in 1947 in Newcastle Upon Tyne. When he married Catherine she already had 2 children to previous marriages which Johnny took on as his own.

Johnny and Catherine’s son, Raymond Farndale was born in 1951.

He always had a little something for his grandchildren when they visited.

Johnny died in Newcastle in April 1986.

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Go Straight to The Jarrow March 1936

The webpage of Johnny Farndale includes a chronology and research notes.