Background
Farrar was born on 5 October 1923 in London, the second son of Donald Frederic Farrar (1897–1982), a former Royal Flying Corps supply pilot, and Mabel Margaret Farrar, née Hadgraft (1896–1985).
Farrar was born on 5 October 1923 in London, the second son of Donald Frederic Farrar (1897–1982), a former Royal Flying Corps supply pilot, and Mabel Margaret Farrar, née Hadgraft (1896–1985).
He attended the local grammar school, Sutton Grammar School, before working in London.
He lived in Carshalton, a small village in Surrey, England. As James had volunteered for the Royal Air Force, he was called up in February, 1942 and received his commission as Pilot Officer the following year, serving with 68 Squadron. On the night of 25–26 July 1944, James attempted to intercept a V1 flying bomb and his aircraft disappeared.
He never returned and was subsequently presumed dead.