The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. H J Marsh

Henry James Marsh was born in mid-1913, the son of Captain H Marsh RASC and Agnes Marsh (nee Carruthers) of Merton Park, Surrey.

He was educated at Aldershot County High School.

Marsh joined the RAF at Halton in September 1928 as an Aircraft Apprentice and passed out in August 1931 as a Fitter.

He later remustered as an Airman u/t Observer and was serving as a Sergeant-Observer in early 1939 when he applied for pilot training.

Marsh was posted to 11 E&RFTS Perth in February 1939 and moved on to 2 FTS Brize Norton in early June. With his flying training completed, he was posted on 6th November 1939 to 253 Squadron, then reforming at Manston. It was due to be equipped with Blenheims but Hurricanes arrived instead.

In early July 1940 Marsh was serving with 238 Squadron at Middle Wallop. On 11th August he claimed a He111 destroyed.

In combat over Portland on 13th August, Marsh destroyed a Me110 but failed to return to base, probably shot down by Me109s, in Hurricane P3177.

Marsh was 27. He is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, panel 17.

Above image courtesy of Dean Sumner.