Edward John Marshall b1898

[adamthomas]

My great grandfather Edward John Marshall saw active service in the first world war but i do not know where he went or very many details. only what my Nan (his daughter) can remember, but now she is 88 that is limited. he was born in 1898 and lived in Wadesmill, Ware, Hertfordshire. i know his 'unit' was gassed in the war and he went back to rescue his officer who later gave him an engraved pocket watch as a thank you. i believe he may have got a medal for this to but I'm not sure and really hoping the kind and knowledgeable people on here may be able to find out.

many thanks

Adam

[km1971]

Hi Adam

Hopefully we have it. There is an entry in the London Gazette of 2 November 1917 for the award of the MM (Military Medal) - http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/ViewPDF.aspx?pdf=30364&geotype=London&gpn=11337&type=ArchivedSupplementPage&all=Ware marshall&exact=&atleast=&similar=

266814 Pte E J Marshall, Herts R (Ware). The start of the section is on Page 3. I cannot find a citation though.

His Medal Index Card is on Ancestry with his name spelt Edwd. He was awarded a Silver War Badge so he must have been discharged early.

Ken

[km1971]

The number 266814 seems to have been allocated to the 1st Battalion of the Hertfordshire Regiment in March 1917. You could try searching for the War Dairy for this unit.

Here is a link to what the various Herts Regt battalions got up to - http://www.1914-1918.net/hertford.htm
The 1st were in the 39th Division at the time of his award.  MMs were usually entered in the LG about 3 months after the event. So you can click on 39th Division and see what they were doing in July/August 1917.

This link gives background to the WW1 medals, and includes a picture of the SWB - http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/medals.asp

Ken

[adamthomas]

thank you. have now found his medal card on ancestry.

[adamthomas]

very interesting. i assume he was discharged as a direct result of the gassing as he died in 1922. i wonder if my nan has the silver war badge anywhere as she was his only child.

[forester]

Hello Adam,

The war diaries are at Kew and WO 95/2590 covers the relevant period.

http://www.rootschat.com/links/04qx/

Phil

[adamthomas]

thanks, also just found this:

http://bedfordregiment.org.uk/hertsrgt/1stherts1917diary.html

he is mentioned under September 1917

[adamthomas]

just incase anyone is interested, this is the only known photo of him, must have been taken about 1920ish as he died in 1922.