Archibald Marr

Tags

Archibald Marr, France, James Marr, Paget Street, South Staffordshire Regiment, St Michael and All Angels Church, St Peter's Church, Staffordshire County Council

The brother of James Marr, Archibald was born in Wolverhampton in 1890. By 1911, he was living at 16 Paget Street, Wolverhampton, with his parents, James Dunlop and Martha Marr, brother William, sister and brother-in-law Jessie and Archibald Owen Haskins, and niece Norah Haskins. By this date, Archibald was an elementary school teacher for Staffordshire County Council.

Archibald enlisted with the 6th Battalion of the South Staffordshire Regiment (number 2822). He first serviced in France from 5 March 1915, but was killed in action on 13 October 1915. He is commemorated on the Loos Memorial, and joins his brother on the Roll of Honour at the Lady Chapel in St Peter’s Church, Wolverhampton. he also appears on the war memorial at St Michael and All Angels Church, Tettenhall.

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Victor Harold Blackwell

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Egypt, Ethel Abbiss, Humber Road, King's Own Scottish Borderers, Newhampton Road, Paget Street, Royal Engineers, SS Cordoba, Victor Blackwell

Victor Harold Blackwell was born in Wolverhampton in 1899, the son of railway clerk John Albert and Mary Jane Blackwell (nee Marrian). On the 1901 census, the family are living at 50 Humber Road, Wolverhampton, and Victor is listed alongside his two brothers (John and Harry) and his sister, Violet. BY 1911, the family have moved to 7 Paget Street, and the household has been joined by Mary Jane’s brother, James Marrian.

On 10 January 1917, Victor enlisted into the Kings Own Scottish Borderers (no 32106), by which point he was employed as a clerk and was living at 271 Newhampton Road. Fortunately, his military records survive so we are able to piece together further details of his service. He was posted to Egypt in July 1917, sailing from Southampton, and he served in Alexandria, Kantara, Celopatra and Cyprus. In February 1918 he was transferred to the Royal Engineers for the purpose of becoming a pioneer in the Signal Service, and his service number changed to 353658. In November 1919, he was sent to the 21st General Hospital due to an ingrowing toenail. He finally embarked for the UK on the SS Cordoba in January 1920, and was then demobbed.

After the war, he married Ethel Maud Abbiss in March 1924, and they had a son, John S., born in 1926. I have been unable to confirm details of his death.