Sergeant George Favell
After the war the Leighton Buzzard Observer (Bedfordshire) published a list of local men who had served in the Army or Navy. Among them was George Favell, son of Mr Favell of 6 Barrow Path. It stated that he had served 9 years in the Bedfordshire regiment and in August 1914 he held the rank of Sergeant. This indicates that he would have been a regular solider.
He went to France in 1914 and in 1915 to India. In 1916 he was transferred to the 2nd Battalion of the Essex Regiment.
This is confirmed from a medal index card for Private 8565 Favell, G of the 2nd Bedfordshire Regiment, which also records his service as 25073 acting Sergeant, Essex Regiment. The photo shown right was kindly supplied by his Grandson.
Elijah Favell
The same publication also lists Elijah Favell, 1/5th Bedfordshire Regiment and notes that he is the brother of George. Elijah’s occupation is given as brick maker and it states that he joined the Bedfordshire territorials in June 1914 and by August 1914 was a private in the 1/5th Bedfordshire Regiment, went to Gallipoli in 1915 and was wounded. A medal index card exists for Elijah Favell, 3430 Private, Bedfordshire regiment Territorial force. He also served in the same under the service number 200221, perhaps the change being associated with him being wounded.