Pte 24589 Thomas Arthur Marsh

• Age: 21
• From: Runcorn, Cheshire
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• K.I.A Saturday 1st July 1916
• Commemorated at: Thiepval Memorial
  Panel Ref: P&F1D8B &8 C.

24589 Private Thomas Arthur MARSH, 18^th Battalion KLR.

Thomas Arthur Marsh was born in Runcorn in 1894, the son of Thomas Gregory Marsh and his wife Mary Elizabeth (nee Clynch) who were married on the 24th August 1891 at St Peter's Church, Liverpool. He had two elder sisters, Margaret Helen born 1891 and Jane born 1893, and he was baptised in Runcorn Parish Church on 29th January 1895, when his parents were living at Mount Pleasant, Runcorn. 

His father died, aged just 25, in 1895. 

His mother remarried to Peter Smith in 1899 in Runcorn. 

The 1901 Census shows Margaret E. Marsh, 9 years, and Thomas Arthur Marsh, 6 years, living with their grandparents, James and Ann, at 3 John Street, Runcorn.  

His remarried mother is now living at 3 Briscoe Street, Runcorn. Head of the household, Peter Smith, is aged 23, a dock labourer born in Warrington, his wife Mary E. is aged 28 born in Chester, daughter Jane Marsh aged 8 born in Runcorn, and their first child together Kathleen Smith aged 1 born in Runcorn. Also staying is her brother John Clynch aged 23, a labourer born in Runcorn.     

The 1911 Census shows Thomas Arthur, a 16 year old grocer’s assistant, listed as a visitor at 21 Thomas Street, Runcorn, with James and Jane Jackson. His mother is still at Briscoe Street with four more children.  

Prior to the outbreak of war he was employed by the Bridgewater Department of the Manchester Ship Canal Company. He was also a member of the Holy Trinity Church Bible Class in Runcorn and as a boy was a member of its choir.

Thomas enlisted in Liverpool on 06th January 1915 joining the 18th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 24589. 

He was billeted at the hutted accommodation at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 18th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain.

He embarked for France with the 18^th Battalion on the 07th November 1915 on board the SS Invicta, landing in Boulogne.

Thomas was killed in action on 01^st July 1916 during the attack at Montauban, he was 21 years of age. 

18^th Battalion Diary

At 6.30am the artillery commenced an intensive bombardment of the enemy’s trenches. Zero Hour – 7.30 am – the battalion commenced to leave their trenches and the attack commenced. The attack was pressed with great spirit and determination in spite of heavy shelling and machine gun enfilade fire which caused casualties amounting to 2/3rds of the strength of the Battalion in action. The whole system of German trenches including the Glatz Redoubt was captured without any deviation from the scheduled programme. Consolidated positions and made strong points for defence against possible counter attacks.

Graham Maddocks provides more detail concerning the events of the day:

As the first three waves began to move forward towards the German reserve line, known as Alt Trench and then on to the Glatz Redoubt itself, they suddenly came under enfilading fire from the left. This was from a machine gun which the Germans had sited at a strong point in Alt Trench. The gun itself was protected by a party of snipers and bombers, who, hidden in a rough hedge, were dug into a position in Alt Trench, at its junction with a communication trench known as Alt Alley. These bombers and snipers were themselves protected by rifle fire from another communication trench, Train Alley which snaked back up the high ground and into Montauban itself. The machine gun fire was devastating and it is certain that nearly of the Battalion’s casualties that day were caused by that one gun.  

Lieutenant Colonel Edward Henry Trotter wrote in the conclusion of his account of the day’s action:

I cannot speak to highly of the gallantry of the Officers and men. The men amply repaid the care and kindness of their Company Officers, who have always tried to lead and not to drive. As laid down in my first lecture to the Battalion when formed, in the words of Prince Kraft:

“Men follow their Officers not from fear, but from love of the Regiment where everything had always and at all times gone well with them”.   

Joe Devereux in his book A Singular Day on the Somme gives the Casualty Breakdown for the 18^th Battalion as Killed in Action 7 Officers and 165 men and of those who died in consequence of the wounds 3 Officers and 19 men a total of 194 out of a total loss for the four Liverpool Pals Battalions of 257. 

His death was reported in the Runcorn Guardian 14th July 1916

TWO REPORTED KILLED

In a letter to his mother Private Lloyd, of Albert Terrace, informs her that his two best chums have been killed in the recent fighting. This being the first intimation that the parents of the two chums have received. He writes:- "I suppose you have seen by the papers about the fighting out here, and it is with the greatest regret that I have to say that Tom and Ernest have been killed. I suppose you know Captain Limb of the canal, his son Alfred has also been killed. I have been given some photographs that were taken of Ernest and I think I will send them to his parents, as his platoon sergeant asked me to send them on to them." Ernest is Private Ernest Waring, son of Captain Waring of Mill Street, Runcorn, and Tom is Private Tom Marsh, grandson of Mr Marsh, the caretaker of the Brunner Guildhall.

His death was reported in detail in the Runcorn Guardian on 28th July 1916;

PRIVATE THOMAS ARTHUR MARSH

OLD CHORISTER FALLS IN BATTLE

Mr and Mrs Marsh of the Guildhall, Runcorn, have received the official notification that their grandson, Private Thomas Arthur Marsh has been killed in action. Private Marsh was a chum of Private Waring and was 21 years of age. He joined the "Pals" regiment on January 6th 1915. Before joining he was employed by the Bridgewater Department of the Manchester Ship Canal Company. He was a member of the Holy Trinity Bible Class and he was a member of the Holy Trinity Church choir. He has an uncle and several cousins with the colours. A correspondent writes:- "The news of his death was received with profound regret by a large circle of friends. His sunny disposition endeared him to everyone with whom he came in contact. He was a general favourite with everybody and his old school mates who still remain will be overwhelmed at the news of his death. Mr and Mrs Marsh have received the following letter from the commanding officer of their grandson's company:- "On behalf of the officers and men of the King's Liverpool Regiment, I wish to express our deepest sympathy on the loss of your grandson who was killed in action on July 1st 1916. Ever since he joined us he was invariably liked and respected by all his comrades, and he has always done his duty on every occasion in the most splendid manner. The company will indeed miss him in the wonderful charge they made so successfully on July 1st. It was their devotion to duty which won the battle, It may help you a little in your sorrow to know how nobly your grandson died and how he was loved and respected by all."

Leonard's body was not recovered or was sunsequent;y lost as he has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

The Thiepval Memorial, the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, bears the names of more than 72,000 officers and men of the United Kingdom and South African forces who died in the Somme sector before 20 March 1918 and have no known grave. Over 90% of those commemorated died between July and November 1916.

On 01st August 1932 the Prince of Wales and the President of France inaugurated the Thiepval Memorial in Picardy. The inscription reads: “Here are recorded the names of officers and men of the British Armies who fell on the Somme battlefields between July 1915 and March 1918 but to whom the fortune of war denied the known and honoured burial given to their comrades in death.”

His death was reported in the Runcorn Guardian 14th July 1916

TWO REPORTED KILLED

In a letter to his mother Private Lloyd, of Albert Terrace, informs her that his two best chums have been killed in the recent fighting. This being the first intimation that the parents of the two chums have received. He writes:- "I suppose you have seen by the papers about the fighting out here, and it is with the greatest regret that I have to say that Tom and Ernest have been killed. I suppose you know Captain Limb of the canal, his son Alfred has also been killed. I have been given some photographs that were taken of Ernest and I think I will send them to his parents, as his platoon sergeant asked me to send them on to them." Ernest is Private Ernest Waring, son of Captain Waring of Mill Street, Runcorn, and Tom is Private Tom Marsh, grandson of Mr Marsh, the caretaker of the Brunner Guildhall.

His death was reported in detail in the Runcorn Guardian on 28th July 1916;

PRIVATE THOMAS ARTHUR MARSH

OLD CHORISTER FALLS IN BATTLE

Mr and Mrs Marsh of the Guildhall, Runcorn, have received the official notification that their grandson, Private Thomas Arthur Marsh has been killed in action. Private Marsh was a chum of Private Waring and was 21 years of age. He joined the "Pals" regiment on January 6th 1915. Before joining he was employed by the Bridgewater Department of the Manchester Ship Canal Company. He was a member of the Holy Trinity Bible Class and he was a member of the Holy Trinity Church choir. He has an uncle and several cousins with the colours. A correspondent writes:- "The news of his death was received with profound regret by a large circle of friends. His sunny disposition endeared him to everyone with whom he came in contact. He was a general favourite with everybody and his old school mates who still remain will be overwhelmed at the news of his death. Mr and Mrs Marsh have received the following letter from the commanding officer of their grandson's company:- "On behalf of the officers and men of the King's Liverpool Regiment, I wish to express our deepest sympathy on the loss of your grandson who was killed in action on July 1st 1916. Ever since he joined us he was invariably liked and respected by all his comrades, and he has always done his duty on every occasion in the most splendid manner. The company will indeed miss him in the wonderful charge they made so successfully on July 1st. It was their devotion to duty which won the battle, It may help you a little in your sorrow to know how nobly your grandson died and how he was loved and respected by all."

Soldiers Effects to mother Mary E. Smith and sister Margaret E. Urmson, Pension to grandmother Ann Marsh, 3 St John St, Runcorn. 

Thomas is remembered on the following Memorials:

Runcorn War Memorial which is located at the junction of Moughland Lane and Greenway Road, Runcorn

Manchester Ship Canal which is preserved in the Rolt Centre, part of the Boat Museum, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire.

We currently have no further information on Thomas Arthur Marsh, if you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.