Alan George Marshall

Alan George Marshall was born on the 17^th June 1895 in a settlement north of Melrose, South Australia to William Walter Marshall and Catherine Louise Marshall (nee Bryant).

When World War 1 broke out Allan was living in Howetown, Port Pirie, South Australia with his parents and was employed as a Motor Driver with Goode Brothers in Port Pirie. He was also a member of the Port Pirie Lacrosse Club.

Alan had 3 years’ experience with the Senior Cadets of the 81^st Battalion before transferring to the Citizen Forces where he was still serving with the 81^st Infantry when he enlisted on the 12^th July 1915. He had just turned 19 years of age.

Private Marshall, Service Number 2809 was with the 9^th Reinforcement 16^th Infantry Battalion when he landed on Gallipoli on the 4^th November 1915.

Private Alan Marshall, Service Number 2809 

He survived Gallipoli to go overseas to France where he was wounded in action at Pozieres, France on the 27^th August 1916. Alan was deprived of his sight when a shell exploded atop of his trench and shrapnel severely damaged his eyes and upper jaw. He was evacuated to London by H.S. St. Denis entering the 2^nd London General Hospital.

Alan was transferred to the 1^st Auxiliary Hospital and onto St Dunstan’s Hostel, in London where training and educating of soldiers and sailors occurred to those whom had lost their sight in the war.

Blindness was not talked of as an affliction at St Dunstan’s, but as a handicap, and that was the way in which the men there faced their blow.

They learnt to read and write in Braille, to manipulate an ordinary typewriter, and to write the wonderful Braille system of shorthand, to do netting, carpentry work, poultry farming, the repairing of boots and shoes, the making of basket ware, telephone operating, the art of massage, and other occupations.

Sport was key part of rehabilitation and they enjoyed rowing, swimming, walking races and tandem cycling.

As the result of heavy casualties, the numbers of these blinded men increased with alarming rapidity.

Letter to Catherine Marshall, Alans mother.

Private Alan George Marshall, Service Number 2809 returned to Australia on the 16^th May 1919. He reached Port Pirie by the afternoon train on Wednesday the 28th May accompanied by his parents. He was cheerful and responded to the greetings of his friends with a cordiality which betokened even happiness under such adverse circumstances.

Port Pirie was determined to show its deep appreciation of the terrible sacrifice that Private Marshall had made in defence of his country, and to that end, arrangements were made for a drag drawn by four white horses to be in readiness to meet the returned hero on his arrival at the Solomontown Railway Station and convey him to the Town Hall, where a civic welcome was to be extended to him on behalf of the citizens by Mayor Goode.

The Solomontown station was beautifully decorated with festoons of flags and green foliage. The outstanding features were Private Marshall's battalion colours -blue and white. The children and adults were inside ropes of battalion colours, the effect being a splendid guard of honour. As the train drew into the station, the hearts of 2,000 spectators went out to the brave lad on the train. The Solomontown School Band struck up " Home Sweet Home," and the children broke into chorus with "They're Anzacs, everyone"… "Come on, Australians," and "It's a long way to Tipperary."

Private Marshall was presented with an oak tray on behalf of the Solomontown children, on which were the words " Welcome Home" in Braille characters.

The crowd in Ellen Street was equally as large as that assembled at Solomontown, and fully as demonstrative. Rousing cheers greeted the occupants of the vehicles as they were ranged up in front of the Town Hall.

Sources:

Australian War Memorial

National Archives of Australia

State Library of South Australia

Ancestry.com