LCol W.R. Marshall DSO, VD

LCol W.R Marshall, DSO, VD was born in Hamilton On; attended Upper Canada College and was already a long serving veteran officer by the time he joined the 15th Battalion in Valcartier in October 1914 as a Major. He had served as a Lieutenant in the 13th Royal Regiment from Hamilton; as a Captain with the Canadian Mounted Rifles in South Africa during the Boer War; been on the HQ Staff of the 2nd Military District; and was appointed Deputy Commanding Officer upon joining the 15th Battalion. For his actions during the gas attack at 2nd Ypres, Marshall was awarded the DSO and appointed Commanding Officer almost immediately following the battle.  LCol Marshall led the Battalion in the fierce fighting at Festubert in 1915 and Hill 60 before he was killed in action on 19 May 1916. Physically fit, always at the Front and possessing a commanding presence, Marshall was revered by all ranks of the 15th, including Bruno the Battalion’s mascot he adopted, and his death hit the Battalion hard.  He is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery in Belgium.