PRIVATE MARSTON.
Private James Marston (accidentally killed) was born in Dunedin. He received his education at the Albany Street School. He will be remembered as a very successful cox in the N.E.B.C., also as a member of the Alhambra Football Club. He was the second son of Mr J. Marston, Harrow street, to offer his services in the Empire’s cause, an elder son having been invalided home from Gallipoli. -Evening Star, 28/7/1916.
An accidental death in the trenches seems a rare one. James Marston's death coincides with a trench raid made by his Regiment (Otago Infantry) on German lines which failed due to finding uncut barbed wire when they reached enemy lines. There was no time in which to cut it to enter enemy positions and return in time. The artillery crews whose job it was to cut the wire insisted that they had done their job - and suggested that the Otagos had tried to enter at the wrong place.
The exact circumstances around James' death are not recorded. His rugby club, Alhambra, wore a white band in their next game in memory of James Marston.
Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin. DCC photo.
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