De Ruvigney Roll of Honour Vol 3 page 188
Oil Painting by Frank Stanley Ogilvie
Medal Index Card
Newcastle Journal Wednesday 17th June 1914
Mentioned in Despatches Entry Card
William Marley was born on the 19th February 1887, at Darlington, Durham, the second son of Thomas William Morley, of Marton Grove, Darlington , J.P., Director and Secretary of the North Brancepeth Coal Company Ltd, and Secretary to Horden Collieries, and his wife Alice, daughter of the late William Redhead Garbutt, of Marton Grove, Abbey Road, Darlington.
The family had 3 other children, Kathleen Marley, born 1896, died 1970 and Cuthbert David Marley, born 1897, died 1960 and Jocelyn Marley, born 1899. A fourth child died at a very early age called Guy [who would have been the eldest child], born July 27th 1885, died June 7th 1892. Buried in Darlington West Cemetery.
In 1911 the family had 4 domestic servants. 1 each off a Cook, Kitchen Maid, House Maid and Waiting maid.
William was educated at Durham School 1902 to 1904, and Ecole de Commerce, Neuchatel, Switzerland. Was employed by the Horden Colliery for a short time in the office, prior to becoming a partner in the firm Messrs Fortham and Grieveson, Coal Merchants of Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
He obtained a commission in the Durham Light Infantry as a 2nd Lieutenant on the 17th July 1909. Promoted to Lieutenant in August 1909, then captain on the 17th June 1914, just before the outbreak of war in August 1914. He passed his officers course in February 1914, under the auspices of the Northumbrian Division, Territorial Forces.
William served in France and Flanders from the 17th April 1915.
He was involved in the 2nd Battle of Ypres where asphyxiant gas was used on this occasion.
An account from a brother officer stated:-"His coolness, steadiness and courage in rallying his men and leading them up through the gas to occupy some trenches was highly appreciated".
William had been wounded in 1916 by a piece of Shrapnel in his back.
After recovering, he re-joined his regiment. In July he was invalided home with paratyphoid, but returned to France on the 5th January 1917. He was killed in action on the 23rd April while leading his men into action at Guemappe, near Arras. Buried near the Rive Cojeuil opposite Guemappe.
His commanding officer wrote:- "As the Commanding Officer of your son, I can't speak too highly of him....The regiment has lost one of its most valued officers, but his memory will never be forgotten....His character and example is a record of a true English gentleman"
He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 25th May 1917] by Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig, for gallant and distinguished service in the field.
De RuvigneyRoll of Honour
In William's Will he left effects to his father of £6930 4s 2d on the 18th January 1918.
William Marley is remembered at Darlington on D40.029, D40.034, in D40.067 [the initial is incorrect, it should read W not a T]. At Newcastle on NUT043 and NUT052 and at Stockton in S138.35 page 2, at Durham on D47.020 and in D47.013b page 94, and also in D47.057 page 216.
