Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Sergeant (Wireless Operator / Air Gunner) W. K. F. Marshall, 97 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, who was killed in action when his Lancaster crashed near Trondheim, Norway, after being hit by flak during a raid on the Tirpitz, 27-28 April 1942

1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; War Medal 1939-45, with named Air Council enclosure, in card box of issue, addressed to ‘Mrs. M. B. B. Marshall, 69 Gilmore Place, Edinburgh 3’, extremely fine (3) £300-£400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to Second World War Royal Air Force Casualties.

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William Keay Falconer Marshall was born on 5 September 1915 ad was educated at John Watson’s School, Edinburgh. He served during the Second World War as a Wireless Operator / Air Gunner with 97 Squadron, initially flying Manchesters, and later Lancasters, and took part in his first operational sortie on 7 December 1941, attacking the Nazi Party HQ at Aachen. Later that month, and again in January 1942, his crew attacked the German battleships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau in Brest docks, and on 25 March, and again on 10 April, he took part in the attack on the Krupp’s works at Essen.

On 27 April 1942 the Squadron was directed to attack the German Battleship Tirpitz. Dubbed ‘The Beast’ by Churchill, this ship presented an ever present convoy danger from her lair in Trondheim. The raid was not a success and not one aircraft hit this very difficult target. Marshall was killed in action when Lancaster L7572, piloted by Flight Lieutenant J. G. Mackid, was shot down by flak and crashed near Trondheim- the Squadron Leader leading the raid witnessed their aircraft going down in flames and hitting a hillside. All the crew were killed.

Marshall is buried alongside his crew in Trondheim (Stavne) Cemetery, Norway. His medals were sent to his mother, Maud Barbara Bryce Marshall.

Sold with a photographic image of the recipient, and copied research.