Marshall, Andrew
Rifleman
No. 6028, 11th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles
Killed in action on Saturday 1 July 1916 (aged 23)
No known grave
Commemorated:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Thiepval Memorial, France (Pier and Face 15 A and 15 B)
Newtownards and District War Memorial
Newtownards Parish Church of Ireland Church (St Mark’s)
BIOGRAPHY
In the Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914 – 1919 database it is recorded that Rifleman Andrew Marshall (No. 6028) was born in Dumbarton, Scotland, lived in Newtownards and enlisted at Clandeboye.
In Ireland’s Memorial Records 1914 – 1918 it is recorded that Rifleman Andrew Marshall (No. 6028) was born in Dumbarton.
Rifleman Andrew Marshall (No. 6028) was in fact born in Newtownards, a short time after his family moved there from the townland of Glenkeen, Dungannon, Co Tyrone.
Andrew Marshall was born on 31 January 1893 in Mary Street Lane, Newtownards and he was a son of Richard Alexander Marshall and Mary Elizabeth (Minnie) Marshall (nee Kerr) who were married on 24 February 1880 in Ballyreagh Presbyterian Church, Carnteel, Dungannon, Co Tyrone. Richard Marshall, a farmer from Glenkeen, was a son of John Marshall, a farmer. Mary Kerr (aged 17) from Millix was a daughter of John Kerr, a farmer.
Richard Alexander Marshall was a farmer in Co Tyrone and then he worked as a labourer when the family moved to Newtownards. He and Mary had eight children:
John (born 7 May 1881 in Glenkeen, Dungannon, Co Tyrone)
Joseph Girvan (born 13 May 1883 in Glenkeen, Dungannon, Co Tyrone)
Henry Gaskin (born 9 April 1885 in Glenkeen, Dungannon, Co Tyrone)
William (born 30 July 1887 in Glenkeen, Dungannon, Co Tyrone)
Margaret Jane (Maggie, born 27 August 1889 in Glenkeen, Dungannon, Co Tyrone)
Mary Eliza (Minnie, born 30 December 1890 in Glenkeen, Dungannon, Co Tyrone)
Andrew (born 31 January 1893 in Mary Street Lane, Newtownards)
Ellen (born 23 August 1895 in Back Shuttlefield, Newtownards)
In 1901 the Marshall family lived in Movilla Street, Newtownards and in 1911 at 6 Windmill Row, Newtownards. In civilian life Andrew Marshall worked as a general labourer.
Andrew Marshall and Martha Smyth were married on 23 September 1915 in Newtownards Parish Church of Ireland Church (St Mark’s). Andrew Marshall (aged 23) of the 11th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (No. 6028) stationed at Bordon Army Camp, Hampshire was a son of Richard Marshall, a labourer. Martha Smyth (aged 24) from Newtownards was a daughter of George Smyth, a labourer. After they were married, Martha lived at 111 Mill Street, Newtownards.
Rifleman Andrew Marshall served with the 11th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles in 108th Brigade of the 36th (Ulster) Division and he was wounded in action on 23 October 1915. When he recovered he was posted back to the Front and he was 23 when he was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme.
Rifleman Andrew Marshall (No. 6028) has no known grave and he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial in France; on Newtownards and District War Memorial and in Newtownards Parish Church of Ireland Church (St Mark’s).