Rifleman Harold Marsh
| Date of Birth | c. 1891 |
|---|---|
| Age at Death | 24 |
| Date of Death | 25 September 1915 |
| Service Number | 3112 |
| Military Service | 6th Battalion, London Regiment (City of London Rifles) |
| Merton Address | 31 Crusoe Road, Mitcham |
| Local Memorial | Mitcham War Memorial |
Additional Information
Harold was born in Lambeth in 1891. His father Edward was a carpenter, and his mother Emma had been born in America, although she was a British Subject. In 1901 the family were living at 320 Crystal Palace Road. The couple had 4 children, Arthur aged 16, Winifred 14, Amy 11 and Harold who was aged 10.
By 1911 the family had moved to a six roomed house at 31 Crusoe Road, Mitcham. All the children had good jobs – Arthur was a salesman, and the two girls were Clerks. Harold was employed as a Warehouse Clerk with the London County Council.
During the First World War, Harold enlisted in London with the 6th Battalion, London Regiment as a Rifleman. The battalion landed in France in March 1915. The battalion’s first major battle was the Battle of Loos (25 September – 8 October 1915).
It was the biggest British attack of 1915, and the first time that the British used poison gas. This carefully rehearsed attack followed four days of bombardment. Harold’s battalion’s objective was the German trench system. Advancing over open fields, they reached the front line with few casualties, but the wire in front of the second line was more difficult as there was no natural cover. The battalion suffered many casualties however the objective was taken by 08.00am.
The Battalion’s War Diary gives a very detailed description of the events. On 25 September 1915 the battalion were in trenches at Noeux-Les-Mines. On the morning of the main attack, the men received their cheese rations between 3.30 and 5.30 am. Punctually at 5.50am the gas attack commenced, and after 30 minutes the gas was turned off and the men climbed out of the trenches and advanced to the German line. After the attack search parties were organised to collect the wounded. When this was done, attention turned to bringing in the dead. British casualties for the main attack were over 48,000.
Sadly, Harold was killed on the first day of the battle. He is buried in the Maroc Cemetery, Grenay, France. His grave is marked with a cross and the inscription chosen by his family reads: THEIR GLORY SHALL NOT BE BLOTTED OUT”. Harold is also commemorated on the Mitcham War Memorial.