In September 1914 Neville Marshall gave up a successful horse treatment practice to join first the Belgian and then the British Army. His diary, dormant in family archives for 105 years, and letters describe his tumultuous war service. An Irish Guardsman, who was seconded to three Lancashire battalions, he rose in rank from Lieutenant to Acting Lieutenant-Colonel. Wounded at least nine times and awarded five gallantry medals, he revelled as well as suffered in his encounters with the German enemy. Outspoken on the conduct of the war, he was without doubt a gifted and courageous leader who led from the front. Fiercely loyal to his men, he earned their respect and affection. Yet with soldiers who were uncaring of their own states of body and mind or lacking physical fitness and self-respect, he worked tirelessly to restore their morale and battle readiness through strict disciplinary regimes.

While undoubtedly a patriot and a hero, Marshall VC was not without character flaws, impetuously rushing to judgements. In this superbly researched book, his diaries and letters are supplemented from a wide range of archival and other sources. The result is no ordinary biography of an extraordinary officer who gave his life for his country.

• Cover
• Title
• Copyright
• Contents
• Preface and Acknowledgements
• Foreword
• Literature Sources
• List of Plate Illustrations
• Timeline of Marshall’s Movements
• Prologue
• Chapter 1 From Peace to War 1887–1914
• Chapter 2 Belgian Army: 14 September 1914–February 1915
• Chapter 3 Supplementary Reserve 3rd Battalion Irish Guards then Back to War with 1st Battalion Irish Guards: 8 December 1915–8 September 1916
• Chapter 4 2nd (Reserve) Battalion Irish Guards, then Back to War with 2nd Battalion Irish Guards: 9 September 1916–24 May 1917
• Chapter 5 1/6th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers: 25 May 1917–12 February 1918
• Chapter 6 125 Brigade Headquarters:13 February–21 May 1918
• Chapter 7 2nd Battalion Manchester Regiment: 1 June–11 October 1918
• Chapter 8 16th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers: 12 October–4 November 1918
• Chapter 9 Burial and in Memoriam
• Chapter 10 Reflections
• Notes
• Bibliography
• Plate Section 1
• Plate Section 2