The Making of a Hero: James Neville Marshall VC

Published on 22 December 2025
Submitted by Peter Lees

In the Great War James Marshall served first in the Belgian Army and then the British Army as an Irish Guardsman (1st and 2nd Battalions). He was seconded to three Lancashire battalions.

His own war diaries (which had lain dormant for 105 years), together with those of Battalions, Brigades and Divisions in which he served, reveal an extraordinary individual. He earned the soubriquets of Marshall-of-the-Ten-Wounds and The Mad Major.

This presentation by Peter Lees looks into his truly extraordinary war record.

The Making of a Hero : James Neville Marshall VC
Key benefits of membership

Becoming a member of The Western Front Association (WFA) offers a wealth of resources and opportunities for those passionate about the history of the First World War. Here's just three of the benefits we offer:

Searchable Magazine Icon
Searchable Magazine Archive

Identify key words or phrases within back issues of our magazines, including Stand To!, Bulletin, Gun Fire, Fire Step and lots of others.

Youtube Channel Icon
Subscribe to the WFA's YouTube channel

The WFA's YouTube channel features hundreds of videos of lectures given by experts on particular aspects of WW1.

Magazine
Historical Magazines

Read post-WW1 era magazines, such as 'Twenty Years After', 'WW1 A Pictured History' and 'I Was There!' plus others.

Other Articles

Phyllis Guillemard Crop
25 January 2026

‘What a fine girl she was’

Read more
Voisin 3. Somme
22 January 2026

The first documented case of aerial victory by shooting

Read more
Saunders.
21 January 2026

Alfred William Saunders: Irish Fighter Ace

Read more
Thbm Hunterbunter
20 January 2026

‘Hunter-Bunter’: Lt. Gen. Sir Aylmer Hunter-Weston

Read more
02 Worcestershire Regiment Officers
13 January 2026

From Birkenhead to Bazentin

Read more