Victor Dixon MARSHALL

MARSHALL, Victor Dixon

Service Number: 3783
Enlisted: 20 September 1915
Last Rank: Private
Last Unit: 1st Infantry Battalion
Born: Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia, 19 June 1891
Home Town: Bondi, Waverley, New South Wales
Schooling: Bathurst Public School, New South Wales, Australia
Occupation: Clerk
Died: Died of wounds, France, 27 July 1916, aged 25 years
Cemetery: Puchevillers British Cemetery, France
Plot II, Row B, Grave No. 43.
Memorials: Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Bathurst War Memorial Carillon, Bathurst War Memorial Carillon
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World War 1 Service

20 Sep 1915: Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 3783, 1st Infantry Battalion
11 Dec 1915: Involvement Private, 3783, 1st Infantry Battalion, Battle for Pozières , --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '7' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: RMS Mooltan embarkation_ship_number: '' public_note: ''
11 Dec 1915: Embarked Private, 3783, 1st Infantry Battalion, RMS Mooltan, Sydney

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Biography contributed by Stephen Brooks

Bathurst Times (NSW) 29 August 1916. DIED OF WOUNDS. PRIVATE V. DIXON-MARSHALL. PARENTS' HEAVY BURDEN.

'Mr. and Mrs. L. Dixon-Marshall, of Bondi, and formerly of Bathurst, received word on Sunday of the death of their second son, Private Victor Dixon-Marshall, which took place in hospital in France from wounds received in battle on the 27th July. It was on the same date that Victor's brother, Private David Dixon-Marshall, was killed in action in France. Private Victor Dixon-Marshall, who was born and educated in Bathurst, was 25 years of age, and was a young man of splendid physique. Like his brother, he was a member of All Saints' Cathedral, while he lived in Bathurst, and possessed a fine baritone voice. He was admired by all who knew him for his many gentlemanly attributes, and the sympathy of the people of Bathurst goes out to his sorrowing parents in their second heavy bereavement. Prior to enlisting he was employed by the firm of Baker and Rouse, of Sydney, Kodak providers. He sailed for the front last December with his late brother and his brother-in-law (Private Iverach).'

Wounded by shrapnel in the head, groin, and arms Victor Marshall was admitted to the No 1 Field Ambulance 23 July 1916, then died of wounds at the 44th Casualty Clearing Station 27 July 1916, buried by Chaplain Knyvett, Puchevillers British Cemetery.

The grim reality of the Australian losses at Pozieres was tragic for the parents of the soldiers. This letter was written to Mr. and Mrs. Alice Marshall, the mother of 4049 Private David Dixon Marshall 1st Battalion, aged 22, (Dave) and 3783 Private Victor Dixon Marshall 1st Battalion (Vic). The writer, obviously a close mate of the two boys, was 1271 Private Austin Charles Townsend also of the 1st Battalion.

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Marshall,

I am very sorry to inform you that Dave was killed on Monday July 24th. You will have read of the Australians taking Pozieres (town name censored out). Well, we were in that and both Vic and Dave got safely through the charge and into the German trenches. That was midnight on Saturday, July 22nd. Soon afterwards Vic was wounded by shrapnel. I was not near at the time and did not find him till next morning, but Dave sat up with him all night. When I saw them next morning, I went to get a stretcher and Dave and I carried Vic down to the dressing station, where he was attended to, and sent away. I have made enquiries several times at the Battalion Orderly Room, but they have heard nothing further of him. So, Vic must still be all right. The Battalion would have been told if he had died. So that is one thing to be thankful for.

Dave was very much troubled when Vic was hit. He took off his own shirt to put on Vic. That was Sunday morning, the 23rd July. On Sunday night I parted from Dave again, and was sent to Brigade Headquarters, and did not know that he was killed till the Battalion came out of the trenches. He felt no pain. He was killed instantaneously at 9.30 p.m., Monday July 24th, by shrapnel, with another of his mates in my section.

I cannot express my sorrow at losing at losing two such good friends. Vic, Dave and I have been together in every place since they joined the Battalion in Egypt. 200 Private A.E. Reeve (nicknamed Hoppy) gave me the particulars about Dave. He buried him. So, if you would like to hear from someone who was with him when he died, he is the one. He was in the same section as Dave and Vic.

I have Dave’s watch and one or two other things here, which I will send to you when I get a chance.

I am yours respectfully Austin C. Townsend.

Since writing the above Private Reeve has been killed and I have been wounded. I have had my right leg taken off. I asked a chap named Ward (the only one left in our section) if he would find my pack and send Dave’s things on to you. He promised and I gave him your address. Arthur C. Townsend.

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