Photo: Alan Hildreth

George William Marshall was born in 1892, at North Shields, the son of George and Mary Jane (nee Ridley), of 65 Grey Street, North Shields, Northumberland. They had married in 1882.

George married in 1914 Amelia Florence White and they had one child George Mathew who was born in 1915.

He was a cart man to a Fish Salesman.

George had enlisted in 1914 at Walker-on-Tyne, with the 1/5th Battalion, Northumberland Fuilers, 2nd Supernumerary Company.

He died from drowning whilst on duty next to the Wigham Richardsons Shipyard Walker, falling from a gangway.

Central Police Court Coroners Report Number 36, 18th January 1915.

George William Marshall, 22 years, Cartman, 7 East Percy Street, North Shields. Private in National Reserve Guard. Found dead in River Tyne at 11.40pm on 16th.

Deceased was found dead in the River Tyne abreast Wigham Richardsons Shipyard Walker by accidentally fallen from the Gangway of a ship into the River and was Drowned.

Shields Daily News Thursday 18/01/1915.

A NORTH SHIELDS RESERVIST DROWNED AT WALLSEND.

Pathetic Domestic Incident. On Saturday night George Wm. Marshall, a member of the National Reserve Guard stationed at Wallsend Shipyard, fell into the river at that place and was drowned. The accident occurred about 8.30, and the body was recovered 2 and a half hours later. Deceased who was 23 year of age, was a Cartman and lived at East Percy Street, North Shields. His bereaved widow was delivered of a son this morning.

Shields Daily News Thursday 19/01/1915:

DEATHS. MARSHALL, Drowned at Wallsend, on the 16th aged 22 years, Geo. William, the beloved husband of Florrie Marshall, 65 Grey Street, North Shields. To be interred at Preston Cemetery on Wednesday at 2.30 o'clock. All friends kindly invited.

Shields Daily News 19/01/1915.

Inquests At Newcastle. North Shields man - Drowned. At the Central Police Station, Newcastle, an inquest was held last night on George William Marshall, 22 a cartman, of East Percy Street, North Shields, a member of the National Reserve who was drowned in the river at Walker on Saturday. Private Henderson said that he and deceased, with others, were acting as guards on the floating crane Titan, which was lying opposite the Pontoon Docks of Messrs Swan, Hunter and Wigham Richardson. The Titan was lying outside another vessel. There was a gangway from the quay to the vessel, and another from the vessel to the Titan, Between the last stanchion and the ship there was no rope rail, On Saturday night witness and Marshall were going up the gangway from the quay, witness being in front, and when they reached the part where there was no rope. Marshall fell into the river. Witness could not find a rope, but threw over a plank, which, however, Marshall failed to grasp, Witness went down a chain to see if Marshall could get hold of his legs, but he failed to do so. Eventually a lifebuoy was secured and thrown to Marshall. who caught it. He was raised some distance out of the water, but released his hold and disappeared in the water, A verdict of "Accidental death" was returned.

The Shields Daily News 20/01/1916 reported:-

Military Funeral at North Shields. The Soldier Drowned at Wallsend.

The funeral of Private George William Marshall, the young member of the Tyne Guard, who was drowned while attending to his duties at the Wallsend Shipyard [Swan Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd] on Saturday night, took place at North Shields this afternoon. The cortege left the house of the deceased father, 65 Grey Street, and proceeded to Preston Cemetery. The coffin was covered with a Union Jack, and with the deceased's cap, belt and bayonet, and also a number of beautiful wreaths.

Besides the private mourners two companies of the Northumberland Fusiliers, under the command of Capt. James Robinson, attended, and a firing party with arms reversed and buglers walked in front of the hearse. There were also a few blue jackets in the procession. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Mr John Turnbull.

George William Marshall is remembered at Tynemouth in T36.14 page 17

The CWGC entry for Private Marshall