Marshall, Robert William Stanley
Squadron Leader
No. 63386, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Killed in action on Sunday 3 June 1945 (aged 27)
No known grave
Commemorated:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Singapore Memorial, Singapore (Column 445)
Methodist College Belfast
Queen’s University Belfast
QUB Book of Remembrance (Page 81)
Royal County Down Golf Club, Newcastle, Co. Down
Marshall Room in the Medical Library, Royal Victoria Hospital Belfast
Marshall family grave headstone in Belfast City Cemetery
BIOGRAPHY
In the 23 June 1945 edition of the County Down Spectator it was reported that Squadron Leader Robert William Stanley Marshall was missing. The report cited Elizabeth Stewart Marshall of Princetown Villa in Bangor as his maternal grandmother. Robert William Stanley Marshall was born on 12 July 1917 at 1 Queen’s Elms, Belfast and he was a son of Dr Robert Marshall and Evelyn Mary Marshall (nee Marshall) of 3 Derryvolgie Avenue and later, 9 College Gardens, Belfast. Dr Robert Marshall, a son of William John Marshall, a Belfast merchant, and Evelyn Mary Marshall, a daughter of William Marshall, a Bangor merchant, were married on 17 October 1916 in May Street Presbyterian Church, Belfast. Robert’s sister, Eileen Bertha Marshall, and Evelyn Mary’s brother, William Frederick Marshall, were the witnesses.
During the First World War, Dr Robert Marshall served as a Captain in the Royal Army Medical Corps.
Robert William Stanley Marshall was educated at Methodist College Belfast and Queen’s University Belfast where he took his final medical examinations in 1940. Six months later he joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, and he was attached to the squadrons supporting the operations of the 14th Army in Burma.
His wife, Hilary Marshall (nee Crymble) was a daughter of Professor Percival Templeton Crymble and Norah Isabel Crymble (nee Ireland) who were married on 28 July 1914 in Elmwood Presbyterian Church, Belfast.
Robert William Stanley Marshall (aged 24) and Hilary Crymble (aged 26) were married on 23 September 1941 in St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Church Drumbeg.
During the Second World War Hilary Marshall, who qualified as a doctor on 19 July 1940, served in India as a Captain in the Royal Army Medical Corps. Robert and Hilary Marshall had no children.
During the First World War Hilary Crymble’s second cousin once removed, Second Lieutenant John Gordon Crymble, died of wounds. Lucius Crymble was their ‘common’ ancestor.
Hilary’s father was Percival Templeton Crymble who was a son of George Gordon and Agnes Crymble.
George Gordon Crymble was a son of Samuel Gordon and Elizabeth Crymble (nee Barry).
Samuel Gordon Crymble was a son of Lucius Crymble.
John Crymble who died in the Great War was a son of Samuel Gordon and Elizabeth Emily Crymble (nee Agnew).
Samuel Gordon Crymble was a son of Matthew and Barbara Crymble.
Matthew Crymble was a son of Lucius Crymble.
During the First World War Robert William Stanley Marshall’s cousin once removed, Sergeant Edward Leslie Marshall MC, died of wounds. Thomas Marshall was their ‘common’ ancestor. Robert William Stanley Marshall (son of Evelyn Mary Marshall and grandson of William Marshall) was a great-grandson of Thomas Marshall (on his mother’s side); Edward Leslie Marshall (son of Andrew Marshall) was a grandson of Thomas Marshall (on his father’s side).
Squadron Leader Robert William Stanley Marshall (No. 63386) was initially reported as missing in action and later it was officially confirmed that he must be presumed to have been killed.
Squadron Leader Robert William Stanley Marshall (No. 63386) is commemorated on the Singapore Memorial; on the Second World War Memorial Plaques in Methodist College and Queen’s University, Belfast; in the QUB Book of Remembrance (Page 81); on a Memorial Plaque in Royal County Down Golf Clubhouse and on a Memorial Plaque in the Marshall Room in the Medical Library in the Royal Victoria Hospital Belfast. This room was appointed for the use of students by his parents and there is an inscription on the plaque:
In perfect honour, perfect truth
And gentleness to all mankind
You trod the golden paths of youth,
Then left the world and youth behind.
He is also commemorated on the Marshall family grave headstone in Belfast City Cemetery.