Geoffrey Marshall (19 Mar 1932 - 24 Sep 2021)

In loving memory of Geoffrey Marshall who sadly passed away on 24th September 2021. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends.

Geoffrey Marshall- Master Mariner

Dob 19th March 1932 died 24th September 2021

My father wrote his own obituary:

Geoffrey was born in Gillingham Kent and lived in Rochester until war was declared in September 1939, when he moved to Hartlip the ancestral home of his mother where he attended the village school. In 1942 he passed a scholarship for Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical school Rochester (founded in 1701 to provide navigational officers for the navy) In 1948 he passed The London University School Certificate and was a keen sportsman

In 1948 he became a junior chemist for O.K Electrodes for further studies, after his father’s death in 1944, a former Chief Engineer in the RFA, Geoffrey joined The Royal Navy and served on H.M.S Indefatigable, Battle-axe, and Vanguard the last British Battleship. He qualified as a diver in 1951 and joined the Submarine Service in 1953. Geoffrey spent nineteen years in The Submarine Service the last three and a half of which as Coxswain of H.M.S Dreadnought our first nuclear-powered submarine. On 3rd March 1971, he was part of the crew that surfaced at The North Pole after a 1,500-mile journey under the ice.

Geoffrey retired from the RN in 1972 and became transit manager for Fry’s die-casting in London and then moved to Fresh-bake food as transport and distribution manager until 1975. Geoffrey then joined the shipping company Civil and Marine and studied at Merchant Navy colleges in London, Greenhithe, Southampton, and Liverpool. After serving as a 3rd 2nd and 1st mate he became a certified Master Mariner in 1984 and was promoted to Shipping manager in 1990 with responsibility for the Ships MV Cambraie, Cambourne, and the mini bulk carrier MV Crambrook. Geoffrey retired in 1995

During Geoffrey’s service, he played Rugby for most of the United Services sides and represented both the Australian and South African Rugby teams, and also played cricket for the Royal Navy Cricket team in the Far East. Geoffrey was stationed in Australia 1956-59, and Singapore 1962-65 (during the conflict with Indonesia).

Geoffrey was a member of H.M.S Dreadnaught North Pole, The Medway Towns Submarine, and the Submarine Coxswains Association and served on the committee of the Chatham Naval Officers Association, and was Vice president of the Old Williamsonian’s Rugby club.

In recent times my father has been the sole carer of my mother Jean who had advanced vascular dementia along with other health conditions (they had been together since they were children) Lockdown was experienced by both my father and mother as extremely difficult.

Very sadly my mum Jean Marshall died five days prior to my father

All are Welcome to Attend The Barn Yard Oak lane Upchuch ME9 7EZ after The service to celebrate my father's life and work.

For those unable to attend the service a live webcast and 28 days watch again is available

Website
https://watch.obitus.com

Username
jufa3704

Password
998498

Service date
Wednesday 20th October 2021

Service time
12:00pm

Service viewing Time
11.56am - 1:00pm

---LINKS---

YouTube - Life on board H.M.S Dreadnought
https://youtu.be/bzYb4vjv_gY

We Remember Submariners FB Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/weremembersubmariners