Thomas Stephen Marshall

[jmta04]

Hello everyone.

I am still on the trail of Thomas Stephen Marshall. I have reached the point where he joined the 1/8th Middlesex at the Somme in France in the middle of June 1916. His death is given as 31st August 1916 (presumed dead). However, on that date the battalion were out of the line and undergoing training. Surely he can't have been among the missing whilst training!

It seems most likely that he had been moved to yet another unit which would have been in the line at that time, although it would seem that on that particular date the situation was (comparatively) quiet.

His MIC simply says 'Middlesex Regiment'. I have found other MICs which do not give the full list of units.

I am sure this has been asked before, but would the Medal Rolls themselves state ALL of the army units with which he served?

Thanks for all the help given thus far,

Scobie

[ss002d6252]

There was Thomas and two other men from his regiment who died on that day. Its hard to tell if the died together or not.

[jmta04]

Addition: His service number wasTF/4890. As I said , It would appear that, for the Somme battle, it was a quiet day. I suspect that Thomas was with another battalion of the Middlesex, but I cannot confirm this. Hence my question about the Medal Rolls.

[ss002d6252]

The service record of Edmund Winton who was one of these 3 men survives.

He was reported wounded on 31 Aug 1916 and also missing on 31 Aug 1916.

The service record includes a letter stating that the death has been assumed to occur on 31 aug 1916 as far as the army are concerned.

At the date of death he was attached to the 13th middlesex. The 13th Middlesex took around 70 deaths on that day.

[jmta04]

Many, many thanks for that information. That looks more like it!

It must have been a fairly serious action for what was supposed to have been a quiet day.

There seems to have been considerable movement of the Middlesex between the various battalions, and it would seem reasonable to believe that this was route Thomas followed.

Do you have any idea where in the line this action of the 13th batt. took place. My copy of Die-Hards in the Great War seems to miss 13th batt. at the relevant period. Probably too many Middlesex battalions for it to cover in detail. I imagine that I shall have to check the War Diary for more details.

Thomas John Marshall is a difficult man to track.

Regards,

Scobie

[ss002d6252]

Quote

13th (Service) Battalion. 73rd Brigade, 24th Division:

Arrived Saleux by train (25/7) and marched to billets at Molliens-Vidames. Entrained at Hangest-sur-Somme for Vecquemont (31/7) and from there marched to Corbie. To Happy Valley (2/8), trenches at Arrow Head Copse (17/8). Attack towards Guillemont (18/8) - advance on right of Trones Wood Road checked by cross fire. Withdrew to La Briqueterie. To the craters in front of Carnoy (19/8). Sandpit Camp (22/8), front line positions at Delville Wood (30/8) - Official History of The Great War records that after almost 400 had become casualties from German bombardment, Battalion was attacked and forced out of Tea Trench (31/8). To Pommiers Redoubt (1/9), Dernancourt (6/9). Entrained at Edgehill for Longpre (6/9) and from there marched to Mouflers. entrained at Longpre for Fouquereuil and Bethune sector (19/9).

 

 

[jmta04]

Hello again ss002d6252.

That last bit of information that you have supplied regarding 13th Battn. Middlesex fits in so well with what happened to Thomas at the end of August 1916 that I cannot help but feel that it must be correct.

I know that Thomas joined 1/8th Battn. Middlesex in the middle of June 1916, and I am now of the opinion that Thomas joined, or was attached to 13th Batt. between then and his death. This may have happened when 13th Battn. arrived at the beginning of August or, possibly, when 13th Batt. was at Sandpit Camp 22nd August (which I assume was out of the line). Anyway, sometime in August! I am now as sure as I can be that this actually was the sequence of events.

I could never have reached this stage in my research without all the help and information that you have supplied. I really do thank you most profusely.

With much appreciation,

Scobie