| Rank | L/Cpl., Corporal, Lieutenant |
| Service # | C49541 |
| Unit # | CASF |
| Resident | Wallaceburg |
The son of Mrs. Clara Marshall of Harwich Twsp., Kent Co., ON., James had a sister Mrs. Carl Eberts of Windsor. Next of kin reported as Mrs. Lillian (nee Howe) Marshall (wife) of Wallaceburg, ON.
He enlisted in the Kent Regt. 1st Battalion where he received his basic training. He went overseas with the West Nova Scotia Regt. seeing action in North Africa. Cpl. Marshall was awarded his Military Medal for bravery at the front in Italy in 1944. He was also wounded in that action at San Leonardo, Italy.
Announcement of the MM was made 17/03/1944. Later in May of 1944 his family saw the presentation of the medal on a newsreel at the Capital Theatre in Chatham, James was later promoted to L/Cpl. and then to Corporal.
His official description of the action is as follows:
Pte. James Warner Marshall of Wallaceburg, C49541, Canadian Infantry Corp:
On December 17, 1943, Pte. Marshall’s Regiment was attacking enemy positions before Casino Belardi. In the attack, Pte. J. W. Marshall, C49541 a Bren gunner, was severely wounded in the right shoulder when his platoon met heavy enemy fire. Despite this fact he continued to provide covering fire for the advance. Subsequently this platoon was covered to take up and alternative position in anticipation of a counter-attack.
Pte. Marshall remained behind and again provided covering fore until the move of the platoon was completed. he then made his way with his Bren gun across bullet-swept ground to his platoon. Through his courage, indifference to pain and devotion to duty, the platoon was able to reorganize in the new position and repel the enemy counter-attack.
It was reported in the CDN 24/11/44(P) that James was at the Selection and Appraisal Centre in England in hopes that he qualifies for a commission.
It was reported in the CDN 28/8/45 that then L/Sgt. Marshall (MM+Bar) had been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. The Military Medal was for his actions in Italy the Bar for his actions in January of 1945 and was presented at Buckingham Palace WN/26/04/45 (P) James was later promoted to the rank of Lieutenant.
James returned as a ‘stretcher case aboard the “Lady Nelson” expected to dock at Halifax on Sunday the 16th of September, 1945. CDN 15/09/45.
Mrs. Carl Eberts of Windsor the sister of Pte. Marshall was surprised to see her younger brother on the ‘big screen’ at the Capital Theatre in Chatham receiving his Military Medal won for velour on the fighting line. He had been wounded but was fully recovered when filmed. His wife Lillian of Wallaceburg and his mother were in the audience the next evening. CDN 8/05/44
It was reported in the CDN 24/11/44(P) that James was at the Selection and Appraisal Centre in England in hopes that he qualifies for a commission.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
| Awards | MM and Bar |
| Sources | Zion UC. – Roll of Honour, CDN (5), BFL-B |
| Supplemental Information | The son of Mrs. Clara Marshall of Harwich Twsp., Kent Co., ON., James had a sister Mrs. Eberts of Windsor. |
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