Name
George Henry Marshall
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
27/09/1916
40
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
602449
Canadian Infantry (British Columbia Regiment)
7th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
CONTAY BRITISH CEMETERY, CONTAY
I.E.7.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Stevenage Old Town Memorial
Pre War
George was born on the 22nd June 1877, the only son of George Marshall of 53 Albert Street, Stevenage.
After immigrating to Canada, he lived with his wife and four children in River Road, Hespeler, Ontario.
His father was the Parish Church verger and before emigrating George was a member of the Stevenage Holy Trinity Church choir.
Wartime Service
He joined the Canadian army in April 1915. On the 18th September 1916 the Battalion moved into a reserve area known as The Chalkpit, East of Albert. The weather was foul and the wet and muddy conditions were described in the unit war diary as “trying”.
On the 22nd September the Battalion moved into the front line trenches. Here they spent all their time under continuous shell fire from the German artillery. It was not until the 26th September that the Battalion attacked the German positions and their assault was described as successful. Some of the supporting companies had moved up during the night of 26th/27th, and this is probably where George Marshall was killed. The five-day tour of the frontline trenches had cost the Battalion 5 Officers and 213 Other Ranks as casualties. George is buried in the Contay British Cemetery, Somme, France.
Additional Information
George is also commemorated on the family headstone in Stevenage (St. Nicholas) Churchyard. His part of the inscription reads:
ALSO OF THEIR [George & Eliza Marshall] SON
GEORGE HENRY.
WHO DIED IN FRANCE SEPTEMBER 27TH 1916. AGED 40 YEARS.
“THE SOULS OF THE RIGHTEOUS ARE IN THE HAND OF GOD.”
Acknowledgments
Paul Johnson
