The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. H J Marsh

Henry James Marsh was born on 16th October 1912 in Aldershot, Hampshire, the son of (at the time) Staff Sergeant Major Henry James Marsh and Agnes Mary Marsh (nee Hollingsworth).

He was known to his family and friends as “Tony”.

Educated at Aldershot County High School, he joined the Royal Air Force as an Aircraft Apprentice – service number 562584 – in September 1928. In August 1931 he passed out of RAF Halton as a Fitter. Remustered as an Airman Under Training Observer, he was later promoted to Sergeant Observer before volunteering for training as a pilot.

Trained at No 11 Elementary and Reserve Flying Training School, RAF Perth (February to June 1939) and No 2 Flying Training School, RAF Brize Norton (June to November 1939) he was posted to 253 Squadron on 6th November.

The squadron, reformed at RAF Manston in Kent on 30th October, was due to be equipped with Bristol Blenheims and operate as a convoy protection unit. Before any planes arrived its role was changed to that of a day-fighter squadron and it was sent Hawker Hurricanes instead.

By early July 1940, Henry Marsh was a Sergeant, in “A” Flight, 238 Squadron, based at RAF Middle Wallop.

Two combat reports exist from 1940 – on 11th August he, as “Yellow 1”, shot down a He111 two miles east of Weymouth, at 10:35 AM (a kill shared with Sergeant ES Bann).

On the 13th August (“Eagle Day”), as “Yellow 1” again, he shot down a Messerschmitt Me110 over Portland – which crashed on “St Alban’s Head”.

Sergeant Marsh was listed as missing-in-action, in Hawker Hurricane MkI serial number P3177, later that day. While undertaking the protection of Naval bases, he came under attack from several Messerschmitt Bf109s. At 16:30 PM his plane was shot down, crashing into the channel of Portland. Neither he nor his aircraft have been found.

In the CWGC records, Sergeant Marsh’s father is listed as a Captain in the RASC, living in Merton Park, Surrey.

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

Above image courtesy of Dean Sumner.

The Aircrew Remembered website actually lists Sergeant Marsh as Henry “Anthony” James Marsh.

He was entitled to, at least, the 1939-45 Star (with Battle of Britain clasp), and the 1939-45 War Medal.

Henry Marsh Operational Logs
238 Squadron
1940
Tangmere
21st May – Sgt Marsh crashed Spitfire

Middle Wallop
A Flight, Yellow Section Leader
21st June – Marsh crashed a Hurricane
2nd July – Hurricane P2950. Patrol Ringwood. 2012-2053
3rd July – Hurricane P3700. Patrol 10:21-10:40
Hurricane P2979. Patrol of Ringwood 11:52-12:25
4th July – Hurricane P2983. Patrol of Swanage. 09:50-11:30
Hurricane P2983. Patrol of Swanage. 21:25-21:56
6th July – Hurricane P2827. Patrol. 08:44-10:98
8th July – Hurricane P2827. Patrol of Wimborne Minster. 13:45-1505
9th July –
Warmwell
Hurricane P2827. Patrol of Portland. 16:25-17:10
10th July – Hurricane P2827. Patrol of Middle Wallop. 11:17-11:55.
Middle Wallop
Hurricane P2827. Patrol of Portland Bill then detailed for Raids 33 and X35. 19:45-21:06
13th July – Hurricane P2827. Convoy patrol. 19:95-21:55
Hurricane P2827. Convoy patrol. 10:05-11:55
Hurricane 2989. Enemy aircraft intercepted south of Portland Bill. 14:55-16:00
Probable Dornier DO 17 light bomber
Warmwell
Hurricane P2989. Intercept X raid. 18:45-19:10
Middle Wallop
14th July – Hurricane P2989. Patrol of Warmwell. 14:45-16:10
17th July –
Warmwell
Hurricane P2989. Interception of raid at Portland. 13:45-14:45
Hurricane P2989. Interception of raid. 15:45-16:10
18th July – Hurricane P2989. Interception of raid. 07:45-09:00.
Hurricane P2989. Interception of raid. 17:50-18:50
Middle Wallop
19th July – Hurricane P2946. Patrol. 19:55-21:35
Warmwell
21st July – Hurricane P2989. Patrol. 19:10-20:15
22nd July – Hurricane P2947. Patrol. 12:15-13:00
Middle Wallop
23rd July – Hurricane P2983. Escort convoy. 12:55-14:30
Warmwell
25th July – Hurricane P2827. Patrol of Warmwell. 13:17-14:49
Hurricane P2827. Interception of raid. 15:14-16:03
Hurricane P2983. Patrol of Portland. 17:50-18:38
Middle Wallop
26th July – Hurricane P2827. Patrol of Portland Bill. 09:23-10:35
Hurricane P2827. Patrol of Swanage. 11:42-12:45
27th July – Hurricane P2983. Convoy patrol. 07:43-09:01
Warmwell
28th July – Hurricane P2983. Patrol of Warmwell. 17:20-17:48
29th July – Hurricane P2983. Patrol of Swanage. 10:49-11:37
Middle Wallop
Hurricane P2983. Patrol of Portland. 18:36-19:41

31st July –
Warmwell
Hurricane P2983. Patrol of Warmwell. 17:25-1850
11th August – Patrol of Portland. 10:14-11:55. 150+ enemy aircraft at 20,000ft.
Heinkel HE 111 medium bomber destroyed 10:35
13th August –
Messerschmitt (ME) Bf 110 fighter bomber destroyed. 11:55-12:45
Middle Wallop
Hawker Hurricane MkI P3177. Patrol of Portland. 15:34-19:32
Sgt Marsh missing after engagement with 400+ enemy aircraft at 20,000ft. 16:30

The majority of research courtesy of Peter Kennedy.