Dawlish World War One Project

It is recorded that William Joseph Marks enlisted at Exeter, but no further detail is available of his service record.

The Western Times of 31 August, 1917 reported, under MARSH GREEN heading, "Much sympathy is extended to Mrs W. Marks, whose husband, Gunner William Marks., R.F.A., was killed in action on August 2nd. The deceased, who leaves a widow and one little girl, was greatly respected by all who knew him. He was competent and skilled in all kinds of agricultural work, and was also a sidesman of the church at Marsh Green. He had only been at the front about a month. He was the second son of Mr and Mrs J Marks, late gardener at Strete Raleigh."

Similarly, in the Western Times of 25 August,1917 it reports among Dawlish casualties "Gunner Marks, RGA., son of Mr Marks, gardener, Luscombe Castle."

It may be assumed that his father asked for his name on Dawlish War Memorial, despite his widow living in Rockbeare.

William was the second son of John and Eliza Marks and was born in Clyst St Lawrence where his father was an “agricultural labourer” (1891 census). They had five children, Sidney (1889- ), Emily(1890- ), William, Rosina (1893- ), and John Marks (1895- ). Their father became a gardener/groom by 1901 and they lived at Strete Ralegh in 1911 where he was a “Gardener domestic”. At this time William was the only child living at home and was a “farm labourer”. According to newspaper reports (below), John Marks took employment at Luscombe Castle, Dawlish subsequently.
William Joseph Marks married Elizabeth Jane Pile (Q4, 1881- ) in St Mary's Church, Rockbeare on 24 April 1912 and a daughter Ruby N M Marks, was born and registered in September 1912 in St Thomas.