Private Matthew E Marshall

Private Matthew Edward Marshall, 3 PARA and from Hertfordshire, was killed in a Command Wire Improvised Explosive Device (CWIED) attack on a vehicle patrol South Down near Mayobridge on November 18 1989 aged 21.

From Pegasus Journal April 1990.

3rd BATTALION

The Parachute Regiment It was during a tour of Rathfriland that 'A' Company had three soldiers tragically killed when an IRA bomb was detonated beside their Landover. The attack took place on Saturday 18 November at Mayobridge when a massive command wire initiated device blew the first of two Landrovers completely off the road. Three soldiers were killed instantly. They were L/Cpl Steven Wilson and Ptes Donald MacAulay and Mathew Marshall. Miraculously, the fourth soldier in the landrover, Pte Lee Manning, survived, which is incredible, considering that the vehicle was totally destroyed by the blast.

The dead soldiers each had a funeral in their home towns and it was remarkable how strong the immediate relatives were, even in the midst of their grief. Indeed, the mother of Donald MacAulay said to the assembled media at his funeral, whilst holding her son's beret in her hands, "It's the badge he lived for and the badge he died for". This sentiment was not untypical of other individuals' reaction to the tragedy. Such a tragedy must however affect everybody within the battalion deeply and it was a very difficult time for us all. The Battalion was able to pay its own respects to the dead at a Memorial Service on 30 November, here in Palace Barracks.

OBITUARY

PRIVATE MATHEW MARSHAL

Private Matthew 'Tex' Marshall was aged 21 and came from Welwyn Garden City in Hertfordshire. He joined the Army in January 1986 and after initial training at the Parachute Regiment Depot, he joined 3 PARA in Aldershot in November 1987. He spent most of his time in 'A' Company, serving in Great Britain, France where he obtained his French wings, and this, his first tour in Northern Ireland.

Tex Marshall was a quiet and unassuming soldier. He was steady and reliable and could be trusted to get on with a job with the minimum of supervision. He had completed nearly 2 years in the Company and was one of the more senior members of the platoon, well liked and respected by everyone. He will be sorely missed by all his friends in 'A' Company.

Pte Marshall is buried at New Southgate Cemetery  

If you are part of Private Marshall's family and would like to complete this biography, you can apply to the curator to do so. To do this you will need to become a member of ParaData and select the 'friend or family member' option on the registration form. If you would like to find out more about becoming a member please visit our registration page.

Members of ParaData can submit their material by clicking on the 'add your info' button below.