 Farrar-Hockley was born in Brentford.After schooling at Beaudesert Park and Exeter School, Farrar-Hockley was commissioned in The Parachute Regiment in 1967 and served in Malta, Libya, Cyprus and Northern Ireland.As Officer Commanding A Company, 2nd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment he fought at the battles of Goose Green and Wireless Ridge and also led the heli-borne assault to secure Bluff Cove - a crucial first step in developing a southern flank in the battle for Port Stanley - during the Falklands War where he was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry in action.