Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second World War North Africa operations M.M. awarded to Lance-Sergeant J. L. M. Marshall, 3rd Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery, who was decorated for his gallantry in early January 1942, when he accounted for two enemy guns - he was subsequently killed in action

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (843866 L./Sjt. J. L. M. Marshall, R.A.), in its (damaged) named card box of issue, extremely fine £800-1000

M.M. London Gazette 26 March 1942. The original recommendation states:

‘At 1230 hours on 2 January 1942, Lance-Sergeant Marshall led his section of 2-pounder guns to within 1000 yards of a battery of enemy infantry guns scoring direct hits on two of the guns and setting one tractor ablaze. Both these guns and tractors were captured while the enemy withdrew with the other two guns. Lance-Sergeant Marshall then led his section forward close behind the retreating Germans and put another vehicle out of action, capturing two German officers and three other ranks. While under heavy fire from these light guns and other heavier guns behind, Lance-Sergeant Marshall showed conspicuous gallantry and leadership with his two guns, unaccompanied by any supporting troops except 25-pounder fire from guns behind him.’

Jacob Louis Miller Marshall, a pre-war regular who had witnessed active service in Palestine, was a member of ‘M’ Battery, 3rd Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery, at the time of the above cited deeds. Most probably, therefore, he had been present in the unit’s earlier actions at Sidi Rezegh in November 1941, when one of its number, 2nd Lieutenant G. W. Gunn, won a V.C.

Marshall was still serving in 3rd R.H.A. when he was killed in action on 7 July 1942. The son of Mrs. Annie Marshall, of Blyth, Northumberland, he has no known grave and is commemorated on the El Alamein Memorial - his mother was sent his G.S.M. for Palestine in February 1943 (accompanying original War Office letter refers); also sold with a Roll of Honour newspaper cutting, quoting a former comrade (’I shall always remember his courage and coolness in action and his only thought was for me and his gun team’).