Military History

Embarked Melbourne per HMAT ‘Ulysses’ A38 for England 20.2.16.
Roll Rank Corporal.
Roll Unit Mining Corps No. 2 Company
Marshall disembarked at Marseilles 5.5.1916. He entrained with his Company for Hazebrouck 6.5.1916. Marshall was attached to the 1st Australian Tunnelling Coy 12.1.1917. He was admitted to hospital with Pyrexia (fever of unknown origin) from the field 3.3.1917. Marshall was discharged to duty to 2nd Aust. Tunnelling Coy 10.3.1917. He was then transferred to 4th Pioneer Bn. from 2nd Tunnelling Coy 14.4.1917. Marshall was wounded in action in the field receiving a GSW to his Right Shoulder 11.7.1917. He was transferred by 13th Australian Field Ambulance to 2nd Australian Casualty Clearing Station 13.7.1917. Marshall was then transferred to the 55th General Hospital at Boulogne 2.8.1917 and then the 55th Convalescent Depot at Boulogne 25.7.1917. He was then transferred to the 7th Convalescent Depot 25.7.1917. Marshall was transferred to the 10th Command Depot 27.7.1917 and then to 3rd Rest Camp at Ecault 1.8.1917. He was re Allotted Regimental No. from 645 to 645A 17.4.1917.  After 8 weeks of convalescing, Marshall rejoined his unit from hospital 15.9.1917. He was taken on strength with his unit in France 21.4.1917 and promoted to Cpl. 28.9.1917. He took leave from 6.12.1917 for 2 days and then marched in to the ANZAC Corps School 8.12.1917- 22.12.1917. Marshall rejoined his unit in France. The 4th Division was involved in the advance on the Hindenburg Line and took part in the Battle at Bullecourt in April 1918 (AWM 4th Division)
Marshall was initially reported missing in action 13.4.1918. The Court of Enquiry determined on 27.9.1918, that Marshall was KIA 13.4.1918. Red Cross Files note that during the enemy advance 7.4.1918, in front of Albert, a party of 50 or so Pioneers, among which was Marshall, were working on Tunnels to blow up the main Albert rail line, with the enemy advancing. They were surrounded on 3 sides, some escaped, others killed and other taken prisoner. Marshall was not seen alive again. (AWM Red Cross Files) these same records note his death could have occurred 6.4.1918. Marshall was awarded a Military Medal for bravery in the field Fourth Supplement to 30797 London Gazette 16.5.1918.
Marshall’s body was not recovered, and he was believed to have been buried in the Field, in the vicinity of Dernancourt. His remains were re-interred to Dernancourt Communal Cemetery Extension, Dernancourt, Picardie, France, where he is commemorated today.
Final Rank Cpl., 4th Pioneer Bn. AIF.
Medical Condition Deceased, KIA.
Awards and Medals Military Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Military Medal Recommendation Citation
‘At Dernancourt on April 5th 1918 these three men were attached as sappers and were working continuously under shell fire, when enemy attacked in force they took rifles and manned the trenches with infantry and materially assisted in keeping the enemy off. They worked valiantly for over 3 hours firing rifles and using bombs with great effect until all were seriously wounded. Their brave bearing and gallant action in such a crisis is worthy of the best traditions of the army and they set a fine example to their comrades’
(AWM Honours and Awards)
Notes Association with Guildford not known although included on St Matthew’s Honour Rolls
Photos 4th Pioneers moved on light rail behind the front lines. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E00468
             Bullecourt, France 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM H12360
             Dernancourt, the Amiens-Albert railway, scene of battle in April 1918. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E03794
             Dernancourt Communal Cemetery Extension. Photographer unknown, photograph source CWGC

Information Source
AWM E00468. 4th Pioneers moved on light rail behind the front lines. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM H12360. Bullecourt, France 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial. 
AWM E03794. Dernancourt, the Amiens-Albert railway, scene of battle in April 1918. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM Embarkation Roll- Robert Marshall
AWM Roll of Honour- Robert Marshall
AWM Honours and Awards-Robert Marshall
AWM Honours and Awards- Robert Marshall
AWM Red Cross File- Robert Marshall
AWM 4th Division
CWGC. Dernancourt Communal Cemetery Extension. Photographer unknown, photograph source from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website, http://www.cwgc.org/find-a-cemetery/cemetery/3800/DERNANCOURT%20COMMUNAL%20CEMETERY%20EXTENSION
St Matthew’s Honour Roll
NAA: B2455, Marshall Robert
St Matthew’s Fallen
West Australian Newspapers


Cumberland, England.

Associated Images