When Marshall enlisted in early 1916, his mother had to give her consent for him to join up as he was under 21 years of age.

One of Marshall’s closest mates was George Griffin (Griff). They were on the same troopship, the Mashobra, which departed Sydney in September 1916. Marshall mentions Griff throughout his diary.

While in France and Belgium, Marshall filled five sketchbooks with drawings. He sketched many detailed views of ruined churches and villages and many scenes of life in the trenches.

Marshall kept diaries throughout his time in Europe, and once back home in Sydney he typed up a summary from his diaries. He titled his account ‘My story in the big war’.

Marshall and Griff were both reinforcements for the 53rd Battalion, which was made up of men from the suburbs of Sydney.