MARSHALL Dudley

Dudley Marshall was born in 1894 and his parents were James and Catherine Marshall of High Park Avenue, Wollaston. His father was manager of the Novelty Glassworks in nearby Gladstone Road. Dudley Marshall attended Stourbridge Grammar School from 1907 to 1911 and later worked at Lloyds Bank, Cradley Heath. After enlisting he was selected for officer training and was commissioned in the Royal Fusiliers. He joined the 4th Battalion in the 3rd Division. After major involvement in the battles of Arras in April and May 1917 the battalion moved to Flanders and the Third Battle of Ypres in September. In an attack near the Menin Road on the 26th September Dudley Marshall was killed in action. In a letter to his parents his Company Commander wrote, ‘He died a hero’s death, leading his men forward under tremendously heavy shell fire. I saw him hit and he died instantly.’ He was buried on the battlefield with a cross over his grave. His original grave must have been lost in the course of battle. He is also commemorated on his parents’ grave at Wollaston.

The following information has been researched by Sandra Taylor:
Dudley Marshall was born on 29th June 1894. He entered Form IV2 as a Day Scholar at King Edward VI Grammar School on 18th September 1907. At the time of his admission to the school his father is recorded as J. Marshall, a Glass Importer (Proprietor) and the family resided at 29 Duncan St., Wollaston. Dudley had previously been educated at Wollaston Road (Elementary). He left King Edward VI Grammar School from Form VIG on 21st February 1911 and took employment as a Clerk in the Metropolitan Bank.

From King Edward VI Grammar School war record booklet:
2nd Lieut., Royal Fusiliers; killed in action in France, 27th September, 1917.

School records courtesy of King Edward VI school archives.

Dudley Marshall worked at the Cradley Heath branch of Lloyds Bank. His name appears on the Lloyds Bank War Memorial unveiled at the Head Office on 8th February 1921 and in the company’s Memorial Album 1914 1918.

Dudley Marshall has no known grave, the photograph available shows his name on Tyne Cot Memorial.