Family’s Proud War Service Record

When a Bideford Gazette representative visited Mr and Mrs C R Marshall of Wyltowyn, Landcross, last week, he was the first to bring them the good news that their second son, Sergeant Reginald Leslie Marshall (since commissioned at Pilot Officer), had been awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal for gallantry and devotion to duty.

He was among a group of seven Devon airmen whose awards were announced at the same time. All of them had taken part in many successful operations and displayed high skill and fortitude.

Among friends especially interested in the award is the Bideford Gazette for Pilot Officer Marshall learned his trade as a compositor there in his youth. Subsequently he was employed for a number of years by the firm of Stephen Austin and Sons, Ltd, Hertford. He volunteered for the RAFVR in 1940, and became a Sergt Flight-Engineer on heavy bombers.

Aged 33, he is married and has a son. His wife was formerly a nurse at Bideford Hospital and is now a member of the Civil Nursing Reserve.

Pilot Officer Marshall is expected home on leave for Christmas.

This is indeed a family with a proud record of war service and all volunteers.

Another son, Acting Sergt Frederick George Marshall is serving with the RAF in Rhodesia, and there are two daughters, Edith and Madeline, Red Cross nurses, and a sister-in-law in the ATS. His brother Able Seaman William Charles Stuart Marshall, the eldest son, was among those on HMS Dorsetshire who lost their lives when she was sunk in the Bay of Bengal in April 1942.

Mr Marshall, senr, an ex Master-at-Arms in the Royal Navy, is serving as a Sergeant in Devon Special Constabulary.

Gazette articled dated 14 December 1943