A First War Memorial Cross To A 1918 Orix Trench Casualty

(1027387 L-Cpl. H. MARRIOTT). Naming is officially engraved. Dark patina, better than very fine. Accompanied by copies of his Index Cards, Attestation Paper, Service Records, Medical Records, Will, War Dependent Gratuity Statement and documentation confirming his death at Orix Trench, including a List of Casualties during the month of September 1918 from the War Diary.

Footnote: Henry Marriott was born on January 9, 1876 in Loughborough, Leicestershire, England, the son of John Marriott and Hannah Marriott of Loughborough. He signed his Attestation Paper on September 28, 1916 in Campbellford, Ontario, with the 235th Infantry Battalion, stating that he was married to Emma Marriott of Campbellford, that he had eight years previous military service with the 17th Leicestershire Regiment and an additional four years in the Reserves, that he was married and that his trade was that of Carpenter. The Battalion was raised in Central Ontario with mobilization headquarters at Belleville under the authority of G.O. 69, July 15, 1916. The Battalion sailed May 3, 1917 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel S.B. Scobel with a strength of 19 officers and 438 other ranks. They arrived in Liverpool, England on May 14th and were absorbed into the 3rd Reserve Battalion, with Marriott appointed to the rank of Acting Corporal at West Sandling. Five weeks later, he was transferred to the 134th Infantry Battalion and reverted to the ranks on June 19, 1917. The following Spring, he was taken on strength of the 12th Reserve Battalion on March 6, 1918, ten days before he was to be transferred to the 3rd Infantry Battalion on March 16th for service in the French theatre. He arrived at the Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp in France on the 17th, then joined his unit in the field on the 23rd. Marriott was with the 3rd Infantry Battalion, Central Ontario Regiment, when he was Killed in Action at the Second Battles of Arras, Orix Trench, on August 30, 1918, his death noted as "Whilst on sentry duty in front of Headquarters dugout, North East of Cherisy, he was hit and instantly killed by enemy shell fire." He died at the age of 42 and is buried in the Valley Cemetery, Vis-en-Artois, 7.25 miles south east of Arras, France. His widow, Emma Marriott of Campbellford, Ontario, received his British War Medal, Victory Medal, Plaque, Scroll and Memorial Cross. In his Will, dated April 10, 1917, he left his personal estate to her and she also received a War Service Gratuity of $100.00 in 1920.