James Neville Marshall VC, MC & Bar (12 June 1887–4 November 1918)aka Marshall-of-the-Ten-Wounds,was born in Manchester,but the Marshalls moved to Acocks Green,Birmingham.James was the middle child.James was educated at both Wellesbourne House private school,and King Edwards VI Camp Hill Grammar School for Boys,excelling in both academics and sports,particularly aquatics.After leaving school in 1902,he clerked at the Midlands Institute and then later in the Medical Faculty of Birmingham University in 1903.He left the university in 1905 and did veterinary work-majority with horses,establishing a business in Harlow, Essex.Marshall married Edith Taylor,on 20 September 1911.He was well liked in the Harlow community with people remembering him for his sportiness,and civic mindedness.In WW1,Marshall joined the armed forces.Reportedly, Neville tried to join the Army Veterinary Corps at the start of the war but was unsuccessful due to being unqualified.He then went to Antwerp before heading to Malines to join the 1st Regiment of Field Artillery, which was part of the 1st Division of the Belgium Army on September 14th.It was whilst he was in Belgium that he was conferred by the King with the Knight of the Order of Leopold award for conspicuous bravery.During his service with the Belgium army, he was wounded three times.Unfortunately Antwerp fell on October 10th.Neville was given sick leave in early 1915.On 8th December 1915 Marshall joined the Irish Guards.Marshall took posts on the 1st and 2nd Battalions,fighting along the Western Front.In May 1917,and June 1918,he was Second in Command,with Major rank, of both the Lancashire Fusiliers,and the 2nd Battalion Manchester Regiment.Marshall was renowned amongst his men for his unusually high spirits and unfailingly strong resolve to return to fight,even after numerous near-crippling injuries he sustained.He was self-sacrificing.On November 4,1918,at the Sambre-Oise Canal,the same battle that war poet Wilfred Owens perished in,Marshall led the charge across the bridge directly into German fire,and was instantly killed at the crossing.His VC was presented posthumously to his widow on April 12th,1919.

An amazing story about a larger than life war hero. An Irishman who started the First World War in the Belgian army and died just before the Armistice as a Lt. Colonel in the British army. A true leader of men, wounded it is thought nine times and promoted quickly through the ranks. A flawed character but an extraordinary soldier.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers Pen & Sword for this ARC in exchange for an unbiased and honest review.

A fascinating book about a larger-than-life British officer and his exploits on the Western Front during WW1.
Lt Colonel Marshall VC, was loved by his troops but was seen to be somewhat of a 'pain' to the senior Staff officers because of his contempt for the way that the war was being waged by the British. Also, he seemed somewhat obsessive about any homosexual acts that he encountered, putting the perceived culprits on charges.
Astoundingly, he was wounded no less than nine times not including the tenth time when he was killed instantly by a shot to the head. A top-class officer in every respect, who led from the front and was a strict disciplinarian.
He had several run-ins with the law before the war, over fairly trivial offences, and managed spmehow to emerge with his character intact.
To summarise, I loved the book, I admire Marshall, a true hero who sadly died a few days before the end of the war in a pointless attack on a well-defended position.

A well-done biography on a VC winner during WW1. This man was a true hero and patriot for his country. His stand on his beliefs and compassion for the common soldiers during WW1 was inspirational. A great read!

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.