Orders, Decorations and Medals

Colonel K. R. Marshall, C.M.G., D.S.O., V.D.

A Canadian silver salver, 10.5" diameter, beaded rim, approx. 12 ounces. Stamped on the base: "Sterling" with mark "925", lion passant, gothic upper case "R", all this correct for Canadian silver of that period.

Engraved centrally (light polishing but no loss of detail), ‘Presented to Lieutenant K R Marshall by his brother officers on the Occasion of his Marriage, Oct 20th 1909’

Above this inscription is the regimental device of the 48th Highlanders of Canada which includes their motto Dileas Gu Brath (Faithful Forever). £140-180

Kenric Rudolphus Marshall was born in 1880 into a wealthy Toronto family. This salver records his wedding to Marion Kirkland, also of Toronto. The regiment was raised as an element of the Militia Force in 1890 and Marshall received his commission in 1903.

Under command of 1st Division C.E.F., the 48th Highlanders arrived in England in October 1914 and were sent to Salisbury Plain. Captain Marshall was at the time a Company Commander. He contracted pneumonia during that hard winter on the Plain and so was left behind when the regiment embarked for France in February 1915. This possibly saved his life. The Canadians took particularly heavy losses at Ypres, Festubert, Vimy and Passchendaele. Throughout the war, the Canadian Expeditionary Force suffered 50% dead and wounded (nearly 250,000 men).

Marshall arrived in France in May 1916. A succession of Staff appointments brought promotions and awards (D.S.O. 1917, C.M.G. 1919). Returning to Canada, he commanded his regiment from 1924 to 1928 and was later much involved in the political struggle to prevent the all-volunteer Militia regiments from being disbanded by his cost-cutting government. Too old for service in the Second World War, he continued to "fly the flag" for his regiment and held the appointment of Honorary Colonel from 1952 to 1962; sold with photographs and correspondence (C.W.M. and the regimental historian).