MARSH, William James GM; Flight Lieutenant, Royal Canadian Air Force

[Gordon Craig]

MARSH, William James GM

Flight Lieutenant

Royal Canadian Air Force

INCIDENT:6 August 1957

The citation reds: On 6 August 1957, at RCAF Station Chatham, New Brunswic0k, a Sabre aircraft (23217) crashed on take-off and burst into flames at the west end of the airfield. Flight Lieutenant Marsh was proceeding by private motor car to this area at the time of the accident to pick up another pilot who had landed there because of technical trouble. When F/L Marsh observed the aircraft disappear in a large mushroom of smoke, far of the end of the runway, he drove his car at high speed in the direction of the smoke and was able to reach a point within 100 yards of the aircraft. F/L Marsh then proceeded on foot at a full run to the scene of the accident and circled the burning aircraft using natural cover to minimize the hazard from flames and exploding ammunition, to determine beyond doubt that hope was lost. As he circled the aircraft he heard the pilot (S/L Frizzle) call for help. With complete disregard for his own safety, F/L Marsh struggled through the brush to the cockpit area and saw the pilot lying halfway out of the aircraft; the aircraft being on its side. After trying unaided to extricate the pilot, F/L Marsh realized he could not carry out the rescue alone. Observing four persons in the distance, he called for help and four airmen immediately came to his assistance. With great difficulty and considerable risk, the five men extricated the pilot, who was complaining of a broken back, and moved him to safety in such a way that his injuries were not aggravated. F/L Marsh’s prompt and courageous rescue efforts undoubtedly largely contributed to saving the life of the pilot, who survived his injuries. The splendid courage displayed by Flight Lieutenant Marsh notwithstanding the extreme risk of serious injury or death warrants praise of the highest order.

The four airmen involved in the rescue-Corporal Theodor Gustav Onarheim; Leading Aircraftman John Joseph Gommer; Leading Aircraftman Robert William Henderson; Leading Aircraftman David Clinton Meier; were awarded the Queen’s Commendation for Brave Conduct.

Only 77 George Medals were awarded to Canadians. 8 of these were awarded post war to members of the RCAF.

The .George Medal; established on 24 September, 1940.

TERMS: The medal was awarded only for acts of great bravery and was intended primarily for civilians. Awards to the military were confined to actions for which purely military honours were not normally granted

BAR: The silver, slip-on bar is laurelled and is awarded for further acts of great bravery.

Description: The circular silver medal is 1.42 inches in diametre.

OBVERSE:

The obverse shows a crowned effigy of the reigning monarch and a legend:

King George VI

(a) GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN: REX ET INDIAE IMP : (1904-1949)

(b) GEORGIVS VI DEI GRA BRITT . OMN REX FID . DEF : + (1949-1952)

Queen Elizabeth II

(a) ELIZABETH II D : G : BR : OMN : REGINA F : D : (1952-1959)

(b) ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA F . D . (1959-1964)

REVERSE:

The reverse shows St. George on a horseback slaying the dragon with the legend:

THE GEORGE MEDAL around the top edge of the medal.

RIBBON:

The red ribbon is 1.25 inches wide, with five equally spaced thin blue stripes.

NAMING:

Names are engraved in Roman capital letters (usually with serifs). Servicemen normally have their first name and surname in full (plus rank and regiment or corps), while civilians have only the surname and initials.

Other awards shown on this ribbon bar:

International Commission of Control & Supervision - Viet Nam;

Centennial Medal;

Jubilee Medal;

Canadian Forces Decoration and Rosette.

A tunic which belonged to William Marsh after he had been promoted to Wing Commander.

[Gordon Craig]

MARSH, William James GM

Flight Lieutenant

Royal Canadian Air Force

INCIDENT:6 August 1957

The citation reds: On 6 August 1957, at RCAF Station Chatham, New Brunswic0k, a Sabre aircraft (23217) crashed on take-off and burst into flames at the west end of the airfield. Flight Lieutenant Marsh was proceeding by private motor car to this area at the time of the accident to pick up another pilot who had landed there because of technical trouble. When F/L Marsh observed the aircraft disappear in a large mushroom of smoke, far of the end of the runway, he drove his car at high speed in the direction of the smoke and was able to reach a point within 100 yards of the aircraft. F/L Marsh then proceeded on foot at a full run to the scene of the accident and circled the burning aircraft using natural cover to minimize the hazard from flames and exploding ammunition, to determine beyond doubt that hope was lost. As he circled the aircraft he heard the pilot (S/L Frizzle) call for help. With complete disregard for his own safety, F/L Marsh struggled through the brush to the cockpit area and saw the pilot lying halfway out of the aircraft; the aircraft being on its side. After trying unaided to extricate the pilot, F/L Marsh realized he could not carry out the rescue alone. Observing four persons in the distance, he called for help and four airmen immediately came to his assistance. With great difficulty and considerable risk, the five men extricated the pilot, who was complaining of a broken back, and moved him to safety in such a way that his injuries were not aggravated. F/L Marsh’s prompt and courageous rescue efforts undoubtedly largely contributed to saving the life of the pilot, who survived his injuries. The splendid courage displayed by Flight Lieutenant Marsh notwithstanding the extreme risk of serious injury or death warrants praise of the highest order.

The four airmen involved in the rescue-Corporal Theodor Gustav Onarheim; Leading Aircraftman John Joseph Gommer; Leading Aircraftman Robert William Henderson; Leading Aircraftman David Clinton Meier; were awarded the Queen’s Commendation for Brave Conduct.

Only 77 George Medals were awarded to Canadians. 8 of these were awarded post war to members of the RCAF.

The .George Medal; established on 24 September, 1940.

TERMS: The medal was awarded only for acts of great bravery and was intended primarily for civilians. Awards to the military were confined to actions for which purely military honours were not normally granted

BAR: The silver, slip-on bar is laurelled and is awarded for further acts of great bravery.

Description: The circular silver medal is 1.42 inches in diametre.

OBVERSE:

The obverse shows a crowned effigy of the reigning monarch and a legend:

King George VI

(a) GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN: REX ET INDIAE IMP : (1904-1949)

(b) GEORGIVS VI DEI GRA BRITT . OMN REX FID . DEF : + (1949-1952)

Queen Elizabeth II

(a) ELIZABETH II D : G : BR : OMN : REGINA F : D : (1952-1959)

(b) ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA F . D . (1959-1964)

REVERSE:

The reverse shows St. George on a horseback slaying the dragon with the legend:

THE GEORGE MEDAL around the top edge of the medal.

RIBBON:

The red ribbon is 1.25 inches wide, with five equally spaced thin blue stripes.

NAMING:

Names are engraved in Roman capital letters (usually with serifs). Servicemen normally have their first name and surname in full (plus rank and regiment or corps), while civilians have only the surname and initials.

Other awards shown on this ribbon bar:

International Commission of Control & Supervision - Viet Nam;

Centennial Medal;

Jubilee Medal;

Canadian Forces Decoration and Rosette.

A tunic which belonged to William Marsh after he had been promoted to Wing Commander.

[Gordon Craig]

The collar badges worn on this tunic.

[Gordon Craig]

The George Medal. This not the medal awarded to William Marsh.

Edited February 1, 2010 by Gordon Craig

[Tomas]

Very interesting reading and a very nice tunic

Tomas

[Gordon Craig]

The ICCS medal. This is not the medal awarded to William Marsh.