William Peter Marshall (known by his family as Peter) was baptised in Binsted on 27th November 1898, the son of Samuel and Louisa Marshall of South Hay, Binsted. Three years later, the family were living in Neatham, Holybourne, where Samuel was a miller’s labourer - probably working for Arthur Denyer of Neatham Lower Mill.

The Marshalls stayed here for about another six years and then moved to Jeffries Farm in Hartley Mauditt where Samuel was a farm labourer. Peter was still at school as were another two of his 10 siblings.

Peter enlisted in Alton and became 35311 Private Marshall with E Company the 14th Battalion of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment. He was killed on 14th April 1918 and has no known grave. He was awarded the British War and Victory Medals.

Later Peter’s parents lived in White House Cottage on the Selborne Road, Chawton. Private William Peter Marshall is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial in Belgium - Panels 2 and 3.

Source: “The Remembered Ones of the Great War”, 2014, The Alton and Villages Local History Forum (with permission)