James Marshall
Acting Lieutenant Colonel, Irish Guards attached and comding 19th Battn.The Lancashire Fusiliers
- Register No.
- 838 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Acting Lieutenant Colonel all Lieutenant-Colonels →
- Unit
- Irish Guards attached and comding 19th Battn.The Lancashire Fusiliers all Irish Guards VCs →
- Date of action
- 4 November 1918 on this day → all of 1918 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 13th February 1919 on this day → all of 1919 →
- Born
- 12th June 1887 at Acock's Green, Birmingham
- Died
- 4th November 1918 at Catillon, France
- Award
- Posthumous all posthumous VCs →
- Memorial / grave
- at Ors Communal Cemetery France and the War Memorial, Old Harlow, Essex
- Medal held by
- the Guards Regimental HQ
Digest of citation
On 4 November 1918 at the Sambre-Oise Canal, near Catillon, France, when a partly constructed bridge was badly damaged before the advanced troops of his battalion could cross, Lieutenant Colonel Marshall organised repair parties. The first party were soon killed or wounded, but the Colonel's personal example was such that more volunteers were instanly forthcoming. Under intense fire and with complete disregard of his own safety he stood on the bank encouraging his men and helping in the work. When the bridge was repaired he attempted to lead his men across, but was killed so doing
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
MARSHALL, James (Reg. No.838)
Acting Lieutenant Colonel Irish Guards attached and comding 19th Battn.The Lancashire Fusiliers London Gazetted on 13th February 1919 VC Medal's Custodian is the Guards Regimental HQ.
Born on 12th June 1887 at Acock's Green, Birmingham.
Died on 4th November 1918 at Catillon, France.
Memorials on grave at Ors Communal Cemetery France and the War Memorial, Old Harlow, Essex.
Digest of Citation reads: On 4 November 1918 at the Sambre-Oise Canal, near Catillon, France, when a partly constructed bridge was badly damaged before the advanced troops of his battalion could cross, Lieutenant Colonel Marshall organised repair parties. The first party were soon killed or wounded, but the Colonel's personal example was such that more volunteers were instanly forthcoming. Under intense fire and with complete disregard of his own safety he stood on the bank encouraging his men and helping in the work. When the bridge was repaired he attempted to lead his men across, but was killed so doing.
Additional information: He also held two Belgian decorations, The Crois de Guerre and the Chevalier Order of Leopold. (More to be added.)
Additional information
He also held two Belgian decorations, The Crois de Guerre and the Chevalier Order of Leopold. (More to be added.)
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: at Ors Communal Cemetery France and the War Memorial, Old Harlow, Essex
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
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