Ben Marsh

Ben was the son of Isaac and Annie Marsh (née Meads). Isaac Marsh was born in Hoveringham, Nottinghamshire, in about 1852, the son of Ann Marsh. He was baptised at St Michael Hoveringham on 25 July 1852. Annie Meads was born in Calverton, Nottinghamshire, in about 1855 and was the daughter of Benjamin and Jane Meads. Isaac and Annie were married on 13 February 1877 at St Wilfrid Calverton (J/F/M Basford) and had twelve children one of whom, Benjamin Isaac, died in infancy: Clara Jane b. Arnold 1878 (J/A/S Basford) bap. St Wilfrid Calverton 21 December 1894, Ellen Elizabeth b. Arnold 1879 (J/A/S Basford) bap. St Wilfrid 21 December 1894, William Gladstone b. Arnold 1 March 1881 (J/F/M Basford) bap. St Wilfrid 21 December 1894, Rosalie Annie b. Arnold 1882 (J/A/S Basford) bap. St Wilfrid 21 December 1894, Benjamin Isaac b. 27 January 1884 (J/F/M Basford) bap. St Wilfrid 27 April 1884 died 1884 (J/A/S Basford), Lucy Meads b. Calverton 11 June 1885 (J/A/S Basford) bap. St Wilfrid 20 September 1885, Daisy Ann b. Calverton 2 October 1886 (O/N/D Basford) bap. St Wilfrid 14 November 1886, Ben b. Calverton 1888 (J/A/S Basford) bap. St Wilfrid 25 November 1888, John Henry b. Claverton 16 March 1890 (A/M/J Basford) bap. St Wilfrid 1 June 1890, Frank Hubert b. Calverton 4 March 1893 (A/M/J Basford) bap. St Wilfrid 21 December 1894, Frederick Isaac b. Calverton 16 September 1896 bap. St Wilfrid 7 February 1897, Margery (Marjorie) Emma b. Calverton 1899 (J/A/S Basford). In 1881 Isaac (28), a groom, and Annie (26) were living at Ramsdale Cottages, Arnold, with their three children, Clara (2), Ellen (1) and William (under 1 year). By 1891 Isaac and Annie were living on Main Street, Calverton. Isaac was working as a gardener. He and Annie had eight children: Clara, Ellen, William, Rosalie (8), Lucy (5), Daisy (4), Ben (2) and John (1). Their son Benjamin Isaac, born in 1884, had died the same year. The family was still living on Main Street, Calverton, in 1901. Isaac was employed as a painter. Only nine of his eleven children were in the home on the night of the census: Clara (22), Rosalie (18) and Daisy (14) who were shirt hand stitchers, Lucy (15) a hosiery hand seamer, Ben (12), John (11), Frank (8) and Frederick (5) who were at school and the youngest child, Marjorie, who was one year old. Ellen (21) was an assistant school mistress and living in Sutton in Ashfield, a boarder in the household of George and Tania Burton, while William (20) was a hosiery hand and living on Newgate Lane, Mansfield, a boarder in the household of John and Maria Meads. Isaac and Annie had moved to Mansfield by 1911 and were living at 14 Bath Lane, Mansfield. Isaac was a labourer in a hosiery factory. Only six of their children were still living at home: Lucy (25) a hosiery seamer, Daisy (24) a copy winder, John (21) a framework knitter, Frank (18) a printer, Frederick (14) a colliery labourer above ground and Marjorie (11) who was at school. Also in the household on the night of the census was their grandson, Harold Fisher (6 b. Horsley Woodhouse Derbyshire), the son of their married daughter Ellen. Of their other five children, Clara had married in 1903 (J/A/S Mansfield), as had Ellen who had married Samuel Fisher (1903 O/N/D Mansfield), William married Lavinia Lindley in 1904 (O/N/D Mansfield and Rosalie had married Harold G Monk in 1910 (J/A/S Mansfield). Ben had married Sarah Alice Spencer (birth registered 1886 J/F/M Mansfield) in 1908 (J/F/M Mansfield) and they had two sons, Harry b. 1908 (J/A/S Mansfield) and Bernard Benjamin b. 5 May 1910 (A/M/J Mansfield). In 1911 Ben (22), a hosiery hand (stocking maker), Sarah (25) and their sons Harry (2) and Bernard (under 1 year) were living at 135 Newgate Lane, Mansfield. Also in the household were two female boarders. A report of Ben's death in June 1918 in the local paper gave their address as 146 Newgate Lane. Ben's brother Frederick Isaac attested on 7 October 1918 at the age of 22 and joined the Royal Air Force (304883). He transferred to the RAF Reserve on 26 April 1919. He died aged 32 on 11 April 1929. According to the newspaper report of Ben's death, Frank and another brother were also serving in June 1918. Isaac and Annie were living at 20 Scarcliffe Street, Mansfield, when their son Frederick attested in 1918. They were still living at the same address in 1927 when they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary, an event which was reported in the local paper (see 'Extra information'). Isaac died on 25 April 1932 and Annie on 18 May 1942. Ben's widow, Sarah Alice, may have been living at 13 Rooth Street, Mansfield, in 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled: 'Sarah A Marsh b. 2 December 1885 widow'. Also in the household was Mary A Dickinson (b. 1869) widow, and Arthur Rogers (b. 1918) unmarried. Sarah may have died in 1970 (J/F/M Mansfield). Their eldest son Harry died on 22 August 1941 aged 51. Bernard married Gertrude A Cox (b. 29 December 1910) in 1932 (A/M/J Mansfield) and in 1939 they were living at 44 Pecks Hill, Mansfield. Bernard was working as a motor bus driver. He died in 1999 (O/N/D Mansfield).

He was a hosiery hand at Reeds Mill.

He enlisted in Mansfield

Private Ben Marsh, served with the 13th Battalion The Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment). He was killed in action on 13th June 1918 and was buried in Bully-Grenay Communal Cemetery, British Extension (grave ref. V.E.4). He qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal.

CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'Peace perfect peace with loved ones far away' Mansfield Chronicle Advertiser: 27 June 1918: 'Pte Ben Marsh G/52390 of Middlesex Regiment, has been killed in action on 13th June, 1918. Leaves a widow, Alice and two sons, Harry and Bernard, of 146 Newgate Lane. Employed at Reeds Mill. Brothers Frank & Bernard [no brother of that name, possibly a transcription error] and brothers-in-law Sam [Fisher] & Harold [Monk] also currently serving.' Inscription on family gravestone, Mansfield (Nottingham Road) Cemetery: 'In loving memory of Fred [Frederick Isaac], the beloved son of Isaac and Annie Marsh who died April 11th 1929 aged 32 years. Some time we will understand. Also Isaac the beloved husband of Annie Marsh who died April 25th 1932 aged 75 years. Light at eventide. Also Annie, beloved wife of the above who died May 18th 1942 aged 87 years. In heavenly love abiding. Also Ben beloved son of the above killed in action in France June 13th 1918. Also Harry, beloved son [of Ben] died Aug. 22nd 1941 aged 51 years. Rest after weariness.' REEDS MILL - There is a photograph of the unveiling of a war memorial at the Reeds Mills, Bleak-Hills, Mansfield, in a local history publication, 'Mansfield: A Pictorial History', David J Bradbury, 2005. Unfortunately, although the stone tablet is clearly visible in the photograph that was taken at the unveiling, the inscription does not show up on the photograph. It is possible that Ben Marsh was one of those commemorated on this memorial. The mill was demolished in 1971 and the whereabouts of the memorial is not known. The website 'Picture the Past' has a photograph of the mill taken in 1950 from the far side of the mill lake, ref: NCCW000206. Mansfield Reporter, 18 February 1927 (extract): ‘After Fifty Years. Happy and Active in Eventide of Life. Mansfield Couple’s Golden Wedding. Hale, hearty and happy after 50 years’ married life, such is the proud record of Mr and Mrs isaac Marsh, of 20, Scarcliffe Street, Mansfield, who celebrated their golden wedding on Sunday. The ‘young people’ as Mrs Marsh described herself and her husband to an interviewer, are remarkably well for their respective ages, 74 and 72 years. In speaking of their marriage, which took place at S. Wilfrid’s Church, Calverton, in 1887, Mrs Marsh said Mr Marsh and herself walked to church for the ceremony, and afterwards tramped two miles to the reception. They moved to Mansfield 25 years ago, where for 17 years, and up to his retirement some time ago, Mr Marsh was employed at a hosiery factory. What the old couple are most proud of is the fact that they reared a family of six daughters and five sons, one of whom died under his country’s colours. The remaining children are alive and well, and all attended the happy famly reunion held at the home of Mr Marsh on Saturday and Sunday. There were 7 of the eighteen grand-children present, one of whom, little Marjorie Shaw, was celebrating her fifth birthday on the day of the wedding anniversary.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)