The Airmen's Stories - P/O E S Marrs

Eric Simcox Marrs was born on 9th July 1921, the son of Major Robert Marrs CMG CIE and Annie Margaret Florence Marrs (nee Simcox).

He was educated at Dauntseys School. He entered the RAF College Cranwell in April 1939 as a Flight Cadet. He was awarded a Permanent Commission on 7th March 1940 and joined 152 Squadron ten days later.

On 13th August Marrs claimed a Me110 destroyed, on the 16th a probable He111, on the 18th a Ju87 destroyed, on the 22nd a shared Do17, on the 25th a Me110, on 17th September a shared Ju88, on the 25th two He111s and a Me110 damaged, on the 27th a Ju88 destroyed, on 7th October a Me110 destroyed and another damaged, on 14th November a Ju88 shared and on the 28th a Me109 destroyed.

Marrs shared a Do17 north of Warmwell on 4th January 1941.

He was awarded the DFC (gazetted 7th January 1941) and became a Flight Commander in April.

He shared a He111 over the Scilly Isles on 18th July.

Above: from left: P/O WD Williams, unknown, Marrs

The squadron provided close escort for Hampdens detailed to bomb the Scharnhorst and Gneisnau at Brest on 24th July 1941. Heavy flak was encountered over the target and Marrs was shot down in Spitfire IIA P7881 and killed.

He is buried in Kerfautras Cemetery, Brest, France.

His portrait was made by Cuthbert Orde.

Above image courtesy of Gildas Saouzanet via 152 Squadron.