Person:Ralph Marshall (3)

Childhood

Ralph Marshall was born in 1895 at Luton in Bedfordshire, son of a straw hat sewer named Elizabeth Marshall, formerly Kempson, and her husband John Marshall, a straw hat blocker and bricklayer. He was the eldest of five childen.

The 1901 census finds Ralph living with his parents and siblings at 33 Albert Road in Luton, which was the same street his paternal grandparents were living in at the time. By 1911 the family had moved to nearby 44 Cambridge Street, which was the same street Ralph's maternal grandparents were living in at the time. In 1911, Ralph was described as working as a clerk in the straw trade.

First World War

The First World War broke out in summer 1914. In November 1915, aged 20, Ralph enlisted with the Bedfordshire Regiment. At the time of his enlistment he was described as being 5ft 8in and a warehouseman. Six months later (presumably after training) he sailed from Folkestone to Boulogne, then travelled on to a base depot at Camiers, on the coast near Boulogne.

At some point he transferred from the Bedfordshire Regiment to the Machine Gun Corps. He was promoted from Private to Acting Corporal on 19th January 1917, and to Corporal on 20th March 1917. Less than three weeks later, on Easter Monday, he was wounded in action at the Battle of Arras. He was taken to the 16 General Hospital at Le Treport. His father and girlfriend, Lily Wildman, were able to visit him there, travelling from Luton to Le Treport on 21st April 1917. Ralph died there the following day. He was 22 years old.

Ralph is buried at Mont Huon Military Cemetery at Le Treport.

1. ↑ Births index, in General Register Office. England and Wales Civil Registration. (London: General Register Office).

   b. Ralph MARSHALL, March Quarter 1895, Luton Registration District, Volume 3b, page 452, mother's maiden name Kempson

2. ↑ England. England. 1901 Census Schedules for England and Wales, Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. (
   Kew, Richmond, Greater London TW9 4DU, United Kingdom:
   The National Archives (abbreviated TNA), formerly the UK General Register Office.)
   Class RG13; Piece 1516; Folio 119; Page 3, 31 Mar 1901.

   Address: 33 Albert Road, Luton, Bedfordshire
   5 or more rooms occupied
   John Marshall, head, married, male, 30 [1870/1], Bricklayer, worker, b. Luton, Bedfordshire
   Elizabeth Marshall, wife, married, female, 27 [1873/4], b. Luton, Bedfordshire
   Ralph Marshall, son, single, male, 6 [1894/5], b. Luton, Bedfordshire
   Stanley George Marshall, son, single, male, 4 [1896/7], b. Luton, Bedfordshire
   Stewart John Marshall, son, single, male, 2 [1898/9], b. Luton, Bedfordshire
   Agnes Kempson, visitor, single, female, 21 [1879/80], Straw hat finisher, worker, b. Luton, Bedfordshire

3. ↑ England. 1911 Census Schedules for England and Wales, Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. (Kew, Richmond, Greater London TW9 4DU, United Kingdom: The National Archives (abbreviated TNA), (formerly the UK General Register Office.))
   Class RG14; Piece 8995; Schedule 230, 2 Apr 1911.

   Address: 44 Cambridge Street, Luton, Bedfordshire
   5 rooms occupied
   John Marshall, head, male, 40 [1870/1], married 17 years, 5 children born alive, 5 still living, Straw Trade Blocker, worker, b. Luton, Bedfordshire
   Elizabeth Marshall, wife, female, 38 [1872/3], married, b. Luton, Bedfordshire
   Ralph Marshall, son, male, 16 [1894/5], single, Straw Trade Clerk, worker, b. Luton, Bedfordshire
   Stanley Marshall, son, male, 14 [1896/7], single, Foundry, worker, b. Luton, Bedfordshire
   Stuart Marshall, son, male, 12 [1898/9], single, b. Luton, Bedfordshire
   Cissie Marshall, daugher, female, 9 [1901/2], single, b. Luton, Bedfordshire
   George Marshall, son, male, 6 [1904/5], single, b. Luton, Bedfordshire

4. ↑ British Army WWI Service Records, 1914-1920
   Mar page 52327, Soldier No. 23347 / 31508.

   Summary of main points:
   Name: Ralph Marshall
   Address: 44 Cambridge Street, Luton, Bedfordshire
   Age: 20 years 9 months
   Trade: Warehouseman
   Enlisted: 17 Nov 1915 at Ampthill
   Height: 5 foot 8.75 inches
   Joined Bedfordshire Regiment as Private 23347
   Sailed from Folkestone to Boulogne 25 Jun 1916
   Joined base depot Camiers 26 Jun 1916
   Promoted to Acting Corporal 19 Jan 1917
   Promoted to Corporal 20 Mar 1917
   Wounded in action 9 Apr 1917
   Admitted to 16 Gen. Hospital, Le Treport, 11 Apr 1917
   19 Apr 1917 Telegram to Mr John Marshall, 44 Cambridge Street, Luton, Beds: "Regret to report 31508 Cpl Marshall Machine Gun Corps dangerously ill at 16 General Hospital Le Treport France aaa He may be visited at public expense wire if you wish to go and await instructions"
   19 Apr 1917 Telegram to Machine Gun Corps: "Father and Miss Wildman wish visit Corpl Marshall"
   20 Apr 1917 Telegram from Midland Railway Luton to Machine Gun Corps: "Leaving at 417 am on Saturday en route le Treport Marshall Luton"
   Machine Gun Corps note: "Mr J. Marshall visiting Corp. R. Marshall M.G.C. at 16 Gen Le Treport was accompanied by Miss L. Wildman and returned on the 24th April 1917"
   Died 22 Apr 1917

5. ↑ The Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

   MARSHALL, RALPH
   Rank: Corporal
   Service No: 31508
   Date of death: 22 Apr 1917
   Age: 22
   Regiment / Service: Machine Gun Corps 64th Bde
   Grave Reference: III. E. 10A.
   Cemetery: Mont Huon Military Cemetery, Le Treport
   Additional Information: Eldest son of John and Elizabeth Marshall, of 44, Cambridge St., Luton, Beds.

6.   Luton News and Bedfordshire Chronicle, Thursday 26 April 1917
   ROLL OF HONOUR.
   MARSHALL.-April 22, at the 16th General Hospital, 16th Ward, France, No. 31508 Corporal Ralph Marshall, aged 22, died of wounds received in the Arras Battle on Easter Monday.