Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

Robert Marshall was born on 17 July 1897 at Kaitangata, the only son of William Marshall (19/181) and Margaret Paterson née Gage. Robert had one sister, Sophia Penman Marshall. William and Margaret were both from Lanarkshire, Scotland and had married on 14 October 1896 at Kaitangata, New Zealand. Robert and his sister were educated at Balclutha School, transferring to Timaru South in September 1910. At the 1908 break-up of Balclutha School, Robert received a Standard IV attendance prize and Sophia a Primer II good conduct award. “The school break-up for 1908 closed with loud cheering by the pupils, who with delighted faces and thoughts keen on the enjoyment of their summer holidays, were soon tripping homewards in joyous anticipation.”

Robert married Irena (Florence Irena) Edyvean on 18 November 1916 at the New Plymouth Methodist Church. The first of their three sons – Allen George Marshall - was born on 3 November 1917 at the residence of Mrs Stringer, New Plymouth. R. Marshall, mechanic, New Plymouth, appeared in the latest list of accepted recruits in Taranaki in August 1917. It was at New Plymouth on 16 August 1917 that Robert Marshall had enlisted. And there he was medically examined. He was 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighed 141 pounds, and had a chest measurement of 33-38 inches. His complexion was dark, his eyes grey, and his hair dark brown. His sight, hearing, colour vision, heart and lungs were all normal; his limbs and chest well formed. Free from illnesses, diseases, and fits, he was in good bodily and mental health. He had registered for compulsory military training at Timaru, and in August 1916 was serving with A Company, 11th Regiment. A mechanic and Presbyterian, he named his wife as next-of-kin – Mrs Irena Marshall, care of Mrs Stringer, 72 Fulford Street, New Plymouth.

R. Marshall was included in the roll of men of the 35th Reinforcements who entrained at New Plymouth and proceeded to camp on 17 October 1917. “An enthusiastic crowd, including many ladies, assembled at the New 'Plymouth railway station yesterday morning to farewell the district quota for the 35th Reinforcements. As in the past, the men were served with tea and light refreshments at the Women’s Patriotic Depot, and each received a useful and welcome send off gift from the Women’s Patriotic Society in the shape of a well-filled holdall and cigarettes. The men were briefly addressed by Mr. W. A. Collis, who said that the men were going away to uphold the glorious traditions set up and held up by those before them, . . . . . On behalf of the people of New Plymouth he wished the men God speed and a safe return to New Zealand. . . . . . The Mayor added a few words of good wishes, and in the few minutes interval before their departure the men exchanged farewells with their friends and relatives who crowded round the carriages. The Citizens’ Band played appropriate airs, and at 7.30, to the tune of “Auld Lang Syne,” and three hearty cheers one more contingent of New Plymouth men steamed out.”

He was posted initially to the 36th Specialist Company, then transferred to the 35th Specialist Company on 22 November 1917 and back to the 36th on 27 February 1918. On 2 April 1918, while at Featherston, he forfeited two days’ pay for overstaying leave. Private R. Marshall embarked with the Specialist Company of the 36th Reinforcements, departing from Wellington for Southampton, England per the “Willochra” on 23 April 1918. It was at Suez, however, that he disembarked on 31 May. After marching into the Australian Camp and being posted to Strength, he was appointed cook on 1 June 1918. He embarked at Alexandria for the UK per the “Ormonde” on 4 July 1918. Admitted to the Military Hospital at Faenza on 11 July 1918 with influenza, he was discharged on 13 July. He marched into the Canterbury Infantry Regiment Reserve at Sling on 29 July 1918 and was taken on Strength. On 31 July 1918, however, he was admitted to No. 3 New Zealand General Hospital at Codford in the UK, suffering from a left inguinal hernia. His was reported as a not severe case by one newspaper and as severe by another. Not requiring an operation, he was transferred to the New Zealand Command Depot on 2 August. But on 10 August he was again admitted to No. 3 New Zealand General Hospital, still with the hernia problem. It was not until 9 September that he was discharged to the New Zealand Command Depot. On 5 December 1918, he was yet again admitted to No. 3 New Zealand General Hospital, this time with measles – slight rash on face and body. He was discharged fit on 30 December.

Robert Marshall returned to New Zealand per the “Matatua” (Draft 213), embarking at Tilbury on 8 January 1919 and arriving on 22 February 1919, after 306 days of service overseas punctuated by hospitalization. En route from the United Kingdom to New Zealand ports, the “Matatua” left Colon on 27 January. The Medical Board assembled on the “Matatua” on 5 February 1919, found that he had been suffering from malposition of right testicle and left Bubonocoele. The original disability was due to causes existing prior to enlistment and was hereditary, the specific cause being constitutional. The consequent disabilities were chafing, aching and swelling if he walked much. His progress was stationary. He stated that he refused an operation. He was no longer fit for Active Service but fit for light duties in Civil Employment. Without an operation, the disability was likely to continue. A pension was not recommended. The Medical Board assembled on board the troopship “Matatua” at the Port of Wellington to examine and recommend treatment for Private Robert Marshall, found that he no longer required treatment and recommended discharge. He was discharged on 22 July 1919, no longer physically fit for War Service (Malposition right testicle. 2 Left Bubonocoele). He went to his parents’ residence at 7 Edward Street, Timaru, then to Latter Street, Timaru. He was awarded the British War Medal.

After the war Robert and Irene settled at Timaru, Irene being South Canterbury born. He returned to his trade as a motor mechanic. Two more sons were born to Robert and Irene – Robert Ian Marshall (Bobby) on 19 December 1919 and Douglas Noel Marshall on 29 September 1929. All three boys attended Timaru South School. Robert (senior) was employed as a motor mechanic at Rodgers’s cycle shop in Stafford Street when he was called to give evidence in court in June 1921 when there was conflicting evidence regarding a collision. “When starting a diesel caterpillar tractor on Monday, Robert Marshall, a mechanic employed by the Public Works Department at Temuka, had his right arm broken just above the wrist. He was attended by Dr. F. A. Scannell and was able to return to his home in Timaru.” [Timaru Herald, 12 October 1938.]

Robert Marshall died at Timaru on 9 July 1964, eight days before his 67th birthday. He was buried at Timaru with Florence Irena who had died on 29 January 1961. On 12 September 1918, 69550 Robert Marshall, formerly of New Plymouth, motor mechanic, but “now Soldier in the 36 Specialists Canterbury Regiment of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force on actual military service” signed that his Will had been made and deposited at NZ Base Pay Office, Featherston, New Zealand. No Will appears to have been probated. Robert’s father served in Samoa in World War One, and two sons – Allan and Robert – served in World War Two.

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [14 January 2024]; NZ Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives NZ Collections – Record number 0078220) [14 January 2024]; Timaru Cemetery headstone image (Timaru District Council) [14 January 2024]; NZ BDM Indexes (Department of Internal Affairs) [13 January 2017]; School Admission records (South Canterbury Branch NZSG) [14 January 2017]; Clutha Leader, 22 December 1908, Hawera & Normanby Star, 28 August 1917, 10 August 1918, Taranaki Daily News, 12 & 18 October 1917, 5 November 1917, 10 August 1918, Evening Post, 8 August 1918, 7 February 1919, Poverty Bay Herald, 8 August 1918, Evening Star, 1 & 4 February 1919, NZ Times, 12 February 1919, Timaru Herald, 30 June 1921, 12 October 1938, 18 December 1940 (Papers Past) [14 & 16 January 2024]; NZ Electoral Rolls (ancestry.com.au) [14 January 2024]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

Related Documents

• MARSHALL Robert - newspaper clippings (pdf, 118.1 KB updated 21-Jan-2024)

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