Private Thomas McFarland
The background of this North Irish Horseman is not clear. According to his service file he was born in Lower Badoney, County Tyrone, son of Robert McFarland. When he enlisted he gave his address as Gortin, Newtownstewart, County Tyrone, his occupation as farmer, and his date of birth as 17 December 1896. It is possible he was one of the children of publican and grocer Robert McFarland and his wife Margaret (née Logan), of Gortin.
McFarland enlisted in the North Irish Horse at Antrim on 20 November 1915 (No.1934). He trained at the regiment's Antrim reserve camp, but on 11 April 1916 he was admitted to hospital in Belfast suffering from an inflammation of the middle ear. Six weeks later a medical board recommended his discharge on medical grounds, due to 'deafness, chronic inflammation of both ears' not attributable to his military service.
McFarland was discharged on 26 May 1916, being 'not likely to become an efficient soldier for medical reasons' (paragraph 392(iii)(c), King's Regulations).