MARSHALL, David Dixon
| Service Number: | 4049 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 2 September 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 1st Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia, 30 December 1893 |
| Home Town: | Bondi, Waverley, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Bathurst Public School, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation: | Miner |
| Died: | Killed in Action, France, 22 July 1916, aged 22 years |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux, Picardie, France |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Bathurst War Memorial Carillon, Villers-Bretonneux Memorial (Australian National Memorial - France) |
World War 1 Service
| 2 Sep 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 4049, 1st Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 11 Dec 1915: | Involvement Private, 4049, 1st Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '7' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: RMS Mooltan embarkation_ship_number: '' public_note: Incorrectly recorded as Davis Dixon Marshall on original roll | |
| 11 Dec 1915: | Embarked Private, 4049, 1st Infantry Battalion, RMS Mooltan, Sydney | |
| 22 Jul 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 4049, 1st Infantry Battalion, Battle for Pozières |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Brooks
According to his Red Cross Wounded and Missing file David Dixon Marshall was killed in action by shell fire on 24 July 1916, although his death is officially recorded as between 22-25 July 1916.
His brother older brother 3783 Private Victor Dixon, also of the 1st Battalion was wounded at the same time, and died of wounds 27 July 1916.
David’s death was reported in the Bathurst Newspaper which reported that ‘Private Marshall was about 22 years of age, and a native of Bathurst. For many years his parents conducted the newsagency business in Howick Street, and having sold out they went to Bondi to reside. Private Marshall was educated at the Bathurst District School, and was a general favorite with all his schoolmates. He and his brother Victor, and his brother-in-law, Oswald Eiverach, enlisted at the one time, and all three went away together in December last.’
The grim reality of the Australian losses at Pozieres was tragic for the parents of the soldiers. The following letter was written to Mr. and Mrs. Marshall, the parents 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.'
The 1st Battalion was in the first attack the Australians made at Pozieres, taking the town on Sunday 23 July 1916. He relates the wounding of Vic on Saturday night (22 July) and the death of Dave on Monday night (24 July). It was unknown to the writer at the time but Vic died of wounds at a field hospital in Puchevillers 27 July 1916.
Townsend, the writer, lost his right leg only a few weeks later, at Mouquet Farm, during the 1st Battalion’s 2nd tour at Pozieres. He was returned to Australia and discharged in 1917.
‘Hoppy’ Reeve, witness to Dave’s death, was killed at Mouquet Farm on the 20 August 1916.
One wonders whether Mum ever got his watch and things.
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