George A. Marsh, Z/5114
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Initial lead courtesy of George's Great Niece Natasha Ellakirk.
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George Abraham Marsh was born on 16th June 1895 to George Miles and Elizabeth Ann. His father died as a result of pneumonia aged just 30. His mother remarried and George followed his stepfather, William Walock, in becoming a master fruiter. He was enrolled in the RND on 11th December 1915 with the service number Z/5114 and recorded as residing at his mother's address of Derwent Street, Derby. In early 1916, he married Clara Violet Smith and the couple resided at Malcolm Street, Derby.
On 15th June 1916, George was called up and taken on the strength of the 4th Reserve Battalion to commence his training. He was promoted to Able Seaman on 1st October. Entraining at Blanford on the night of 21st/22nd November, he joined up with the Drake Battalion on the Western Front on 12th December.
In January 1917, George was diagnosed with a septic toe on his right foot. He rejoined his unit on 18th March. Following the Division's success at Gavrelle, he was diagnosed with scabies in August. Rejoining his unit three days later, he was admitted to the 57th General Hospital Boulogne with a boil under his right armpit the following month. He was evacuated back to England via the 25th General Hospital Hardelot and was admitted to the 2nd Military Hospital Canterbury on 17th November. During the year, George and Clara saw the arrival of their first son, George Arthur.
George was drafted back to Drake on 11th February 1918 but was admitted to the 25th General Hospital Hardelot again due to scabies. Rejoining his unit in early March he is recorded as wounded by gas during the enemy's preliminary bombardments to the Spring Offensive. His being a severe case, he was evacuated to England and admitted to the North Evington Military Hospital at Leicester. The year would also see the arrival of George and Clara's second son, Alfred William
As part of his recovery, George was sent on leave and rejoined Drake on 15th September. Three days later he forfeited one day's pay as well as being fined two day's pay for being one day over his return date. On 3rd October he was received at the Field Ambulance with an abscess on his left buttock. He was evacuated back to England, being received at the 1st Southern General Hospital Stirchley, Birmingham. He did not return to the front, being demobilised in December. After the war, George and Clara would have five further children; Ernest Maurice (b. 1920), Violet Elizabeth (b. 1921), Rosetta May (b. 1925), John Thomas (b. 1927) and Kathleen Joan (b. 1929). Sadly, their first born, George Arthur, died in 1927. George was not in the best of health following the war, believed by the family to be the result of being gassed, and he died in 1929.
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