| Surname: | Marsh |
| Initials: | F |
| Rank: | Squadron Sergeant Major |
| Army Number: | .282 |
| Notes: | MMP. Enlisted in the 1 Royal Dragoons 1/9/1883 transferred to MMP. 14/3/1904 discharged. Awarded the Long Service & Good Conduct Medal, and the Coronation Medal. Frederick Marsh. He has the same No. as Sgt R Loades, MFP. Extract from the Leinster Leader 1 August 1891. FATAL ACCIDENT AT FRENCH FURZE FAIR. On Thursday last Dr Smyth, coroner for North Kildare, held an inquest touching the death of Thomas Daly, who was accidentally thrown from a horse, the property of Mr. J Kenny, Osberstown, at the French Furze fair on Monday. The following were sworn on the Jury:- Messrs Joshua Cantrell, D. Donohoe, E. Dowling, N. J. Flanagan, Thos. McAllister, John Grehan, B. Wheeler, J. Dolan, H. O'Neill, P. White, P. Brooks. After some evidence of the occurrence was given, Corporal Frederick Marsh, of the Military Mounted Police, Curragh Camp, was sworn, and deposed that he was on duty on Monday last 27th July at the fair of French Furze. He saw the deceased Thomas Daly, mount a horse. The horse had not saddle on. As soon as he got upon the horse's back the animal made three jumps and went off twelve yards. The last jump the horse gave deceased fell to the left side and came to the ground on his head. Witness further deposed that when the went to where Daily fell he found him insensible. He heard the owner say to deceased that he had better not get on the horse's back as he had never been ridden before, but he (deceased) insisted upon going on the horse, In consequence of what had passed he (witness) watched deceased. Mr. Flanagan - Were you present when the owner asked Daly not to get on the horse. Witness - Yes. Witness, continuing - Deceased seemed to be under the influence of drink, but he (witness) could not say he was drunk. He did not appear to be strong enough to ride a horse. The horse did not appear to have been "broken. Deceased was immediately attended to and was rubbed on the head with water and spirit. A doctor was sent for. Witness saw the deceased off and on for about an hour and a half after he had fallen from the horse. He did not witness deceased being killed; he was looked after by the constabulary. Dr. Daniel Power was next examined and deposed that the was medical officer for the Kildare dispensary district. At about 6.45 p.m. on Monday, 27th he was called by the relieving officer to attend the deceased. he saw deceased about 7 o'clock at French Furze. He asked if there was a proper place wherein to put deceased, but could not find one. He then took him on his own car to the Hare Park Hospital where, owing to the kindness of the medical officer. was admitted. He was placed in the hospital and the proper remedies applied. Deceased was insensible. He lived about eight hours after admission. He (witness) believed deceased came by his death from concussion of the brain as the result of a fall. There was no fracture of any bone. The jury returned a verdict according to the medical testimony. Extract from the Folkestone, Hythe, Sandgate & Cheriton Herald. 5/3/1904. PRESENTATION TO SERGT.-MAJOR MARSH. A Popular Non-Com. Retires Last Night. Long life, happiness, and prosperity. This was the wish which again and again was extended to Squadron Sergeant Major F Marsh, of the Military Mounted Police who last night was the guest of the evening at a presentation smoking concert, held at the "Alexandra," Sandgate. It was to present the gallant non-commissioned officer, on his retirement from the service, with a token of the esteem and regard that there gathered together representatives of every unit in the Garrison, and tradesman from Hythe, Sandgate, Folkestone and Cheriton. Mr W Rhys-Morgan presided, and there were also present:- Councillor j G Smiles,, Messrs. W Maltby, J Stickels, J Rices, W Holford, G carter, H D Kenward, S Hobson, Gough Sparman, Candell, Saringer, Ames, Keeler, Knight, Kennett, T Kersley, J barber, H Pearce, B R Straughan, S Evision, D Flessati, representatives of the Royal Field Artillery, 13th Hussars, Royal Sussex Regiment, Royal West Kent Regiment, Army Pay Corps, Army Service Corps, Royal Army Medical Corps, Military mounted Police, Military Foot Police etc. There were many songs and toasts, but the toast of the evening was that which Mr Rhys Morgan submitted. it was that of "Sergeant Major Frederick Marsh, " and was enthusiastically received. At the outset the speaker reminded the company that they had gathered there that evening to present a little testimonial to the subject of their toast. That popular military policeman was known to all present. After serving his country for 21 years in the Army he was about to retire. after more than s score years service he was leaving without a blemish on his defaulter sheet, which showed that he had carried out his duties zealously, faithfully and fearlessly. Over 20 years ago, Sergeant Major Marsh joined the 1st Royal Dragoons as a private and some years afterwards he transferred to the Military Foot Police. Tradesmen in Sandgate, Folkestone, Cheriton and Hythe had every reason to be grateful to Sergeant Major Marsh, the licensed victuallers in particular being especially grateful to him, by reason of the manner in which he carried out his duties as chef of Military Police on the Camp. There were indeed all sorry to lose him. Since he had been in the town he had made himself very popular and had made quite a few friends. A HOST OF FRIENDS. He had done a great deal towards promoting that good feeling which existed between the civilian and military elements. On behalf of the inhabitants of the four towns, the speaker then presented the guest with a handsome marble eight-day clock together with an illuminated address. The address was as follows:- "To Squadron Sergeant Major Marsh, on his retirement from his Majesty's service:" "Dear Sir. - On behalf of your brother non-commissioned officers at Shorncliffe Camp and of the tradesmen of Sandgate, Hythe, Folkestone and Cheriton, we have much pleasure in asking your acceptance of the accompanying clock as a small token of the regard in which you have been held by the subscribers during the time they have had the pleasure of your acquaintance. They most sincerely wish you in the future good health, long life, and a host of friends, feeling sure that you will be successful in whatever position Providence and circumstances may deem fit to place you." "Signed on behalf of the subscribers, C Storey, 13 Hussars, Shorncliffe, Wm. Rhys Morgan (Hythe), C R Quested (Cheriton), J Stickels (Sandgate), and W Halford (Folkstone)." The clock bore the inscription - "Presented to Squadron Sergeant Major F Marsh by the non- Coms. of Shorncliffe, and his civilian friends, 4-3-04." Continuing, the Chairman said that he was only vicing the feelings of all present when he wished the recipient every success in his future career, and that he would enjoy the well-earned pension which he would shortly receive. _ (Applause). The toast was drunk with greatest enthusiasm, accompanied with musical honours. Sergeant Major Marsh, who was greatly impressed by the reception of the toast and the good feeling displayed, then returned thanks. his gratification he said, was all the greater because of the surprise by which he had been taken. When in after years he looked back on the present, it would always remind him of the many friends he had made in the district. he did not know what he had done to deserve the gift and the kind feeling shown, especially as he wore a "red Cap" (laughter). He would treasure the gift when he left the Army for civilian life. He trusted that the good feeling which had always existed between the military folk and civilians of the district would continue (hear, hear), and that his successor and all his subordinates would cordially co-operate with their civilian friends (Applause). He would ask them to remember that a military policeman in doing his duty could not always please everybody. (A voice - "you have.") Amidst thunderous applause the gallant non-com. again returned thanks. The musical programme was then proceeded with, and in almost every succeeding toast, complimentary references were made to SM Marsh and his doings. Great praise is due to Mr J Stickels and Corporal Storey for the capable manner in which they had organised both the concert and the arrangements for the presentation. Squadron Sergeant Major Marsh enlisted in the 1st Royal Dragoons in March 1883, Seven years later he transferred to the Military Mounted Police,, he then holding the rank of full Corporal. After leaving the Dragoons, he served for eight years in Egypt. His decorations are the Long Service and Coronation Medals. On the 15th inst. the much respected Sergeant Major takes his discharge from the Army. |