Captain Thomas Garibaldi Farina Nov 1895 - 1964.

Thomas Garibaldi Farina and Family

Thomas Garibaldi Farina was born in Newcastle on 23rd November 1895 and was one of seven children of Alfred John Patrick Farina and the former Minnie Eugene Clark. He attended school at the Royal Grammar school when it was situated on Westmoreland road in Newcastle. He also played rugby for the Old Novocastrians.

In August 1914 he joined the 16th Service Battalion Northumberland (Newcastle Commercials) and served three months with the Officers Training Corps. He was appointed Lieutenant 16th October 1914 and promoted to Captain on 20th November 1915. He transferred to the 24th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (Tyneside Irish).

After World War 1 he returned to Newcastle and worked in a Coal exporter and Ship Brokers office. In 1925 he met and married Margaret Edna Aikman and they had two children, Ann H Farina b 1928 and Margaret A Farina b 1930.

In 1939 Thomas Garibaldi Farina lived at 202 Wingrove Road and in 1941 he was a Captain in the 11th Battalion Northumberland Home Guard (Ncle West). His unit met at Brighton Picture House on Westgate road, which is now a bowling alley.

After World War 2, in 1947 he moved to London and worked for the Hudson Company and retired in 1960. In 1964 he died in Carshalton, London.

Information and photograph kindly supplied by Mrs Ann McKay.

If you have any information on Thomas Garibaldi Farina or anyone who served in the Northumberland Home Guard, Newcastle Battalions please contact ph@ccoynblhomeguard.co.uk