James Farrell

Mr James Farrell was born in Cloonee, Co Longford, Ireland around the latter half of 1886.

He was the son of John Farrell (b. 1856), a farmer, and Ellen McCarthy (b. circa 1858). One of nine children born to his parents, his known siblings were: Kate Anne (b. 1883), Michael (b. 1885), John (b. 1888), Mary (b. 1889), Edward (b. 1891) and Thomas (b. 1896).

The family, who were Roman Catholic, were shown on both the 1901 and 1911 census records living in Cloonee. By the time of the latter records James' mother had passed away and he was described as an unmarried farmer's son.

He boarded the Titanic at Queenstown as a third class passenger (ticket number 367232 which cost £7, 15s) and he was travelling to an address in New York City. Whilst aboard it appears he was acquainted with several others from Co Longford: Kate Gilnagh, Kate Mullin, the Kiernan brothers, John and Phillip, and Thomas McCormack. He may also have known the McCoy siblings, also from Co Longford.

On the night of the sinking, James and his Longford compatriots stayed together during the evacuation. When the women in the group were attempting to cross a barrier to a higher deck a crewmen prevented them from doing so. James intervened, shouting "For God's sake man, let the girls past to the boats, at least!" The threat of an altercation from the burly Irishman made the crewman comply and the group passed through, James giving his cap to Kate Gilnagh. Kate never forgot the actions of James Farrell and later referred to him as her guardian angel.

James died in the disaster. His body was recovered by the MacKay Bennett (#68) and he was buried at sea on 24 April 1912.