A Battle of France MM to Cpl Marshall RAMC / taken prisoner at Sidi Rezegh and later escaped

Harland Military Antiques

A Battle of France MM to Cpl Marshall RAMC / taken prisoner at Sidi Rezegh

  • A Battle of France MM to Cpl Marshall RAMC / taken prisoner at Sidi Rezegh and later escaped

  • £1,250.00
On hold

GVI Military Medal, correctly impressed - 7519813 Pte. F. Marshall. R.A.M.C.
1939/45 Star
Africa Star
Defence Medal
War Medal.
 
Swing mounted as worn.
Condition - NEF. 
 
With the B.E.F., during The Battle of France, Marshall served with "B" section 2nd Light Field Ambulance, attached to 2nd Armoured Brigade, 1st Armoured Division. He was awarded the Military Medal, announced in the London Gazette on 27th September 1940. The citation is as follows;
 
' For conspicuous courage and devotion to duty. During the period 4th June to 12th June 1940, the section to which Private Marshall belonged was continuously in action. During this period, by his courage, cheerfulness and efficiency, Pte Marshall set a magnificent example to the rest of the section. On one occasion, outside ROUEN, under shellfire, his prompt assistance to a casualty suffering from a severe wound haemorrhage contributed largely to the saving of the patient's life.'
 
The occasion outside Rouen likely took place on 9th June, the official history of the 2nd Light Field Ambulance noted;
 
' About 4 miles from Rouen Convoy halted on a wood hillside overlooking the Seine. Had a meal under the trees. After about two hours of suspense, plenty of enemy aircraft about, enemy shells began to come over from the other side of the Seine. At this very time, the patient in the ambulance developed a serious haemorrhage from his leg wounds. He was treated in the ambulance. Nearest shell dropped within 30 yeards of the roadside.' 
 
Along with what remained of the 2nd Light Field Ambulance, Marshall was evacuated at Brest on 15th June 1940. Marshall and the 2nd LFA were attached to the 22nd Armoured Brigade 7th Armoured Division and posted to North Africa. 
 
The history of the 2nd LFA between 19th to 21st November 1941 shows that Marshall was taken prisoner at Sidi Rezegh on the 24th November 1941. The history states;
 
' "A" and "B" Sections, under command 22nd Armd. Bde and Sp. Gp., respectively, were placed well forward in the battle group at this time and lost their equipment through being unable to move when called upon to beat a hurried retreat. Sgt. J Scullion and Cpl. F. Marshall, M.M. RAMC, both of "B" section taken prisoner by the enemy. 
 
He was imprisoned in Camp 59, in Servigliano in Italy. After the Italian Armistice,  Marshall was one of the roughly 3000 men who escaped. The prisoners had dug an opening on the west side of the camp. The local Italian people assisted the escapees. He is on the POW roll as having been repatriated in 1943.