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Canadian Virtual War Memorial

William Renwick Marshall

In memory of:

Lieutenant Colonel William Renwick Marshall

May 19, 1916

Military Service


Age:

41

Force:

Army

Unit:

Canadian Infantry (Central Ontario Regiment)

Division:

15th Bn.

Honours and Awards:

Distinguished Service Order

Mentioned in Despatches

Additional Information


Born:

March 20, 1875
Hamilton, Ontario

Enlistment:

September 22, 1914
Valcartier, Quebec

Brother of Mrs. C. W. Wolfkill, of Montreal, Quebec.

Brother of Lieutenant Walter Sydney Marshall, who died during service with the Canadian Pioneers.

Commemorated on Page 132 of the First World War Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.

Burial Information


Cemetery:
Grave Reference:

V. A. 39.

Location:

Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery is located about 12 kilometres west of Ieper town centre, on the Boescheepseweg, a road leading from the N308 connecting Ieper to Poperinge. From Ieper town centre, the Poperingseweg (N308) is reached via Elverdingsestraat, then over two small roundabouts in the J. Capronstraat. The Poperingseweg is a continuation of the J. Capronstraat and begins after a prominent railway level crossing. On reaching Poperinge, the N308 joins the left hand turning onto the R33, Poperinge ring road. The R33 ring continues to the left hand junction with the N38 Frans-Vlaanderenweg. 800 metres along the N38 lies the left hand turning onto Lenestraat. The next immediate right hand turning leads onto Boescheepseweg. The cemetery itself is located 2 kilometres along Boescheepseweg on the right hand side of the road. From Calais, take the motorway A16 signposted Dunkerque/Lille. At Dunkerque take the motorway signposted Lille/Ypres, the A25. Leave the motorway at Junction 13, the village of Steenvoorde. Follow the D948/N38 signposted Ieper/Poperinge. After approximately 8-10 kilometres Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery will be signposted off to the right.

Information courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Digital Collection

Send us your images

  • Letter– Period copy of a letter of sympathy written to LCol William Marshall's wife by the Commanding Officer of the 48th Highlanders in Toronto following the his death in the line at Hill 60, Belgium on 19 May 1916.

From the archives of the 48th Highlanders of Canada Regimental museum. Scanned and submitted by BGen G Young (ret) of the 15th Battalion CEF Memorial Project.

Dileas Gu Brath
  • Memorial– Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Memorial– Photo from the National Memorial Album of Canadian Heroes c.1919. In memory of the members of the 15th, 92nd and 134th Battalions (48th Highlanders) who went to war and did not return. Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me.
  • Photo of WILLIAM RENWICK MARSHALL– Photo from the National Memorial Album of Canadian Heroes c.1919. In memory of the members of the 15th, 92nd and 134th Battalions (48th Highlanders) who went to war and did not return. Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me.
  • Biography– Full image from the painting in the 48th Highlanders of Canada Officers' Mess, Moss Park Armouries Toronto.
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Toronto Telegram May 1915. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Toronto Telegram May 1916. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Memorial– Remembering brothers lost … Brothers In Arms Memorial, Zonnebeke, BE … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens … May 2022
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Globe (Toronto newspaper c.1902) Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Globe (Toronto newspaper c.1902) Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Photo of William Renwick Marshall– From The War Book of Upper Canada College, edited by Archibald Hope Young, Toronto, 1923.  This book is a Roll of Honour including former students who served during the First World War.
  • Memorial Tablet– Lieutenant-Colonal William Renwick Marshall is remembered on this brass Memorial Tablet. It was unveiled on May 1st, 1921 in memory of Upper Canada College students who died on active service during  the First World War.  Upper Canada College is located in Toronto, Ontario.
  • Group Photo– Officers of the 48th Highlanders from "The Red Watch - With the First Canadian Division in Flanders" written by Colonel J.A. Currie, M.P.  Published in Toronto in 1916 and dedicated to the memory of the Canadian soldiers who fell in Flanders.  Lt. Col. Marshall is discussed on numerous occasions in this book covering the experiences of the 48th Highlanders (15th Battalion) from 1914-15.  In this group portrait he is in the seated row second from the bottom, fifth across from the far right.
  • The Lieutenant-Colonel John Weir Foote VC, CD Armoury– The Lieutenant-Colonel John Weir Foote VC, CD Armoury, 200 James Street North, Hamilton, Ontario.
  • Plaque– Officers of the 13th Royal Regiment Memorial Plaque.  On display at the Lieutenant-Colonel John Weir Foote VC, CD Armoury, Hamilton, Ontario.
  • Memorial– Marshall Family monument erected in Hamilton Cemetery, Hamilton, Ontario.  The following dedication to the Marshall brothers appears on this monument:  "Sons of William Marshall, killed in the Great War.  Lieut. Col. W. R. Marshall, Ypres - May 19, 1916 in his 47th year.  Lieut. W. S. Marshall, Courcelette, Oct. 3, 1918 in his 30th year.  Their dearest lives for us."

Lt.-Col. William Renwick Marshall, DSO, MID, was born in Hamilton, Ontario on March 20th, 1875.  On his attestation he noted that he had 21 years service in the Militia, and two years in South Africa.  He enlisted at Valcartier Camp on September 20, 1914. 

Lt. Walter Sydney Marshall was also born in Hamilton, Ontario on February 21st, 1886.  He had previously served three years with the 13th Royal Regiment of Hamilton.  He enlisted in Montreal on July 25th, 1915.
  • Newspaper clipping– The Morning Bulletin Edmonton & Alberta Monday May 22, 1916.
  • Grave Marker– Grave of LCol William R Marshall DSO Commanding Officer, 15th Battalion (48th Highlanders of Canada). Lijssenthoek British Military Cemetery, Belgium. Dileas Gu Brath.

Photo by BGen G Young 15th Bn Memorial Project Team. 11 Nov 09
  • Portrait of William R Marshall– Portrait of LCol William R Marshall, DSO, Commanding Officer of the 15th Battalion in the Officer's Mess of the 48th Highlanders of Canada, Moss Park Armoury, Toronto.
  • Group Photo– Then Major William Marshall Deputy Commanding Officer, 15th Battalion (48th Highlanders of Canada) third ffrom left. Belgium 1915.

Submitted by BGen G. Young, 15th Battalion Memorial Poject Team.
  • Badge– 15th Bn cap badge. Photo by BGen G. Young 15th Battalion Memorial Project Team..
 DILEAS GU BRATH
  • Death Penny– LCol Marshall's Commemorative Plaque (Death Penny) on display at the Regimental Museum of the 48th Highlanders of Canada, Toronto, ON.

 Photo by BGen G. Young 15th Battalion Memorial Project Team..
 DILEAS GU BRATH
  • Medals– LCol Marshall's decorations on display at the Regimental Museum of the 48th Highlanders of Canada, Toronto, ON.

 Photo by BGen G. Young 15th Battalion Memorial Project Team..
 DILEAS GU BRATH
  • Certificate– LCol Marshall's DSO certificate on display at the Regimental Museum of the 48th Highlanders of Canada, Toronto, ON.

 Photo by BGen G. Young 15th Battalion Memorial Project Team..
 DILEAS GU BRATH
  • Original Grave Marker– LCol Marshall's original grave marker erected by the 15th Battalion in Lijssenthoek Cemetery in 1916. Removed after the war when the Commwealth War Graves Commission standardized and replaced these indivdual markers with the current stone grave markers.

Original photo from CWGC archives and provided by Talbot House, Poperinghe, Belgium - The Lijssenthoek Cemetery Visitor's Centre project and BGen G Young of the 15th Battalion Memorial Project Team.
  • Photo of William Renwick Marshall– LCol WR Marshall DSO leading a column of the 15th Battalion near Ploegsteert, Belgium, Spring 1916.

Photo is from the archives of the 48th Highlanders of Canada Regimental Museum, Toronto, Ontario and submitted by BGen G Young, 15th Battalion Memorial Project Team.

DILEAS GU BRATH
  • Shoulder patch– Shoulder patch worn by 15th Battalion (48th Highlanders of Canada). Photo BGen G. Young 15th Battalion Memorial Project Team..
 
DILEAS GU BRATH
  • Photo of William Renwick Marshall– Then Major WR Marshall, Deputy Commanding Officer, 15th Battalion CEF (48th Highlanders of Canada)Valcartier Camp, Quebec 1914.

Extracted from a panoramic photograph of the 15th Battalion on parade prior to embarkation from Canada to the UK as part of the 1st Contingent of the Canadian Expeditionary Force.

Photograph from the arhives of the 48th Highlanders Museum, Toronto and submitted by BGen G Young, 15th Battalion Memorial Project team.

Dileas Gu Brath
  • Photo of William Renwick Marshall– Photograph of then Major WR Marshall, second-in-command of the newly formed 15th Battalion CEF, taken at Valcartier camp, Quebec prior to embarkation to the UK in the Fall of 1914.

Photograph from the scrapbook of brother officer William Hendrie located in the Hamilton, ON archives and submitted by BGen (ret) G Young of the 15th Battalion Memorial Project.
  • Group Photo– Photograph of then Major WR Marshall (left), second-in-command of the newly formed 15th Battalion CEF, taken at Valcartier camp, Quebec prior to embarkation to the UK in the Fall of 1914.

Photograph from the scrapbook of brother officer William Hendrie located in the Hamilton, ON archives and submitted by BGen (ret) G Young of the 15th Battalion Memorial Project.
  • Group Photo– Photograph of then Major WR Marshall (right), second-in-command of the newly formed 15th Battalion CEF, taken at Valcartier camp, Quebec prior to embarkation to the UK in the Fall of 1914.

Photograph from the scrapbook of brother officer William Hendrie located in the Hamilton, ON archives and submitted by BGen (ret) G Young of the 15th Battalion Memorial Project.
  • Flanders Fields– Note sent to brother officer William Hendrie in March 1916 by then LCol Marshall who was commanding the 15th Bn by that time. It is the poem "In Flanders Fields' by McCrae which at that time was reasonably newly written. Marshall notes at the bottom that he liked the poem which makes it very tragic as he himself would be killed near Hill 60 shortly after having sent the poem to his friend.

Photograph from the scrapbook of brother officer William Hendrie located in the Hamilton, ON archives and submitted by BGen (ret) G Young of the 15th Battalion Memorial Project. 
Dileas Gu Brath
  • Letter– Page 1 of 4 of letter sent from Padre 15th Bn CEF to Lt Col Mitchie describing the funeral of Lt Col Marchall.  From the Hendrie collection courtesy  City of Hamilton, ON archives.  Submitted by 15th Bn Memorial Project Team
  • Letter– Page 2 of 4 of letter sent from Padre 15th Bn CEF to Lt Col Mitchie describing the funeral of Lt Col Marchall.  From the Hendrie collection courtesy  City of Hamilton, ON archives.  Submitted by 15th Bn Memorial Project Team
  • Letter– Page 3 of 4 of letter sent from Padre 15th Bn CEF to Lt Col Mitchie describing the funeral of Lt Col Marchall.  From the Hendrie collection courtesy  City of Hamilton, ON archives.  Submitted by 15th Bn Memorial Project Team
  • Letter– Page 4 of 4 of letter sent from Padre 15th Bn CEF to Lt Col Mitchie describing the funeral of Lt Col Marchall.  From the Hendrie collection courtesy  City of Hamilton, ON archives.  Submitted by 15th Bn Memorial Project Team
  • Circumstance of death– Circumstance of Death Card Lt Col Marshall.   From the Hendrie collection courtesy  City of Hamilton, ON archives.  Submitted by 15th Bn Memorial Project Team
  • Burial Report– Burial Card Lt Col Marshall.   From the Hendrie collection courtesy  City of Hamilton, ON archives.  Submitted by 15th Bn Memorial Project Team
  • Newspaper Clipping– In memory of the members of the 15th, 92nd and 134th Battalions (48th Highlanders) who went to war and did not return. Submitted by the 48th Highlanders Museum 73 Simcoe St. Toronto for the project, Operation: Picture Me.
  • Newspaper Clipping– In memory of the members of the 15th, 92nd and 134th Battalions (48th Highlanders) who went to war and did not return. Submitted by the 48th Highlanders Museum 73 Simcoe St. Toronto for the project, Operation: Picture Me.
  • Newspaper Clipping– In memory of the members of the 15th, 92nd and 134th Battalions (48th Highlanders) who went to war and did not return. Remembered by the 48th Highlanders Museum 73 Simcoe St. Toronto, Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me.
  • Newspaper Clipping– In memory of the members of the 15th, 92nd and 134th Battalions (48th Highlanders) who went to war and did not return. Remembered by the 48th Highlanders Museum 73 Simcoe St. Toronto, Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me.
  • Newspaper Clipping– In memory of the members of the 15th, 92nd and 134th Battalions (48th Highlanders) who went to war and did not return. Remembered by the 48th Highlanders Museum 73 Simcoe St. Toronto, Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me.

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