CORPORAL ALBERT GEORGE MARSH: 11600
3rd Battalion Grenadier Guards
Richard was the third of ten children born to James and Alice Major – all of whom lived in West Road, Symondsbury, just two doors down from the ‘London Inn.’
His father, James was a stonemason and mother Alice was a needlewoman. When Richard left school, he worked as a labourer in the nearby Iron Foundry.
Richard married Charlotte Legg in April 1910 and after the wedding they moved to 30 North Allington, taking Richard’s sisters Alice and Polly (Mary) with them. In April 1915, a son – Richard James was born.
By this time Richard had left the iron foundry and was working as a house painter.
After the outbreak of war, Richard joined the 3rd. Battalion Grenadier Guards and after training, embarked for France in August 1915, remaining in the volatile area of the Western Front for the remainder of the war.
In March 1918, the War Diary for the Battalion records that they were near Hammelincourt, under heavy bombardment from the German defences. They moved forward to replace men of the East Yorks Regiment who had been attacked and surrounded and on the morning of the 28th at 07.00 hours another heavy barrage was put down, followed by a German attack. The Germans eventually retreated, but the Guards victory came at a cost 90 ‘other ranks’ were wounded and 30 were killed.
Richard was one of those who lost his life in this engagement.
He is remembered on the Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France.