Jesse Marston’s War Diary
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Although not commemorated on the Ironbridge Gorge War memorials you may be interested in reading the sad but informative war diary of a farmer’s son from nearby Much Wenlock.
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Jesse Marston was a member of the same battalion as many of the soldiers from the Ironbridge area that we have researched so his diary is an interesting record of their time in training and on the battlefield.
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Jesse was born in 1896 the son of Edward and Caroline Eliza Marston (nee Bishop) who farmed at Oxenbold Farm, Much Wenlock.
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At the time of the 1901 census aged 4 he is living at the farm with his mother and siblings, Katy 18, Percy 16, John 11, Eva Sarah 10, Charles Frank 8, Olive Jane 6, and Mary 3. His father Edward is recorded as a farm bailiff at a nearby farm
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On the night of 2 April 1911 when the census was taken Jesse aged 14 was living with his parents Edward (57) and Caroline Eliza (56). Other members of the family still at home include Charles Frank (18), Edward Clifford (27), Eva Sarah (20), John (21), Mary (13), Olive Jane (16), Percy William (26) and Thomas (24)
All the images above are from a member’s private collection
Lance Corporal JESSE MARSTON 26562, 6th Bn., King’s Shropshire Light Infantry who died on 16 August 1917 was the brother of Mr. H. B. Marston, of 4, Church St., Darlaston, Wednesbury.
He is remembered with honour on the Tyne Cot Memorial
The above photograph is of the War memorial at Stanton Long Church.
Permission for us to use the photograph on this website has been kindly given by Neil Evans. Neil has set up a website which aims to record all the War Memorials in Shropshire. Click here for link.