Percival Marling

Sir Percival Scrope Marling, 3rd Baronet
Born	6 March 1861 Stanley Park, Selsley
Died	29 May 1936
Buried at	All Saints Church Vault, Selsley
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	British Army
Rank	Colonel
Unit	King's Royal Rifle Corps
Commands held	18th Royal Hussars
Battles/wars	First Boer War 1882 Anglo-Egyptian War Mahdist War Second Boer War First World War
Awards	Victoria Cross Order of the Bath

Colonel Sir Percival Scrope Marling, 3rd Baronet, VC, CB, DL (6 March 1861 – 29 May 1936) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Early life

Marling was born on 6 March 1861, and educated at Harrow School.

Military career

He was 23 years old, and a lieutenant in the 3rd Battalion, The King's Royal Rifle Corps,^[1] British Army, attached Mounted Infantry during the Mahdist War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 13 March 1884 at the Battle of Tamai in the Sudan during the Mahdist War, Lieutenant Marling risked his life to save that of a private of The Royal Sussex Regiment who had been shot. His citation reads:

For his conspicuous bravery at the battle of Tamai, on 13th March last, in risking his life to save that of Private Morley, Royal Sussex Regiment, who, having been shot, was lifted and placed in front of Lieutenant Marling on his horse. He fell off almost immediately, when Lieutenant Marling dismounted, and gave up his horse for the purpose of carrying off Private Morley, the enemy pressing close on to them until they succeeded in carrying him about 80 yards to a place of comparative safety.^[2]

Marling later served in the Second Boer War (1899-1901) in South Africa, where in March 1901 he took over the command of the 18th Hussars.^[3] He was promoted to Lieutenant-colonel on 19 February 1902.^[4] For his service during the war, he was mentioned in despatches (dated 8 April 1902^[5]) and appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB).

On 20 October 1903, he was appointed a deputy lieutenant of Gloucestershire,^[6] and in 1923 was appointed High Sheriff of Gloucestershire.^[7]

He later achieved the rank of colonel and died on 29 May 1936.

The Medal

His VC is on display in the Lord Ashcroft Gallery at the Imperial War Museum, London.^[8]

References

1. "Lieutenant Percival Scrope Marling". The King's Royal Rifle Corps Association. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
2. The London Gazette: no. 25356. p. 2278. 21 May 1884. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
3. "The War - appointments" The Times (London). Thursday, 7 March 1901. (36396), p. 11.
4. The London Gazette: no. 27426. p. 2601. 18 April 1902.
5. The London Gazette: no. 27443. pp. 3967–3974. 17 June 1902.
6. The London Gazette: no. 27608. p. 6441. 23 October 1903. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
7. The London Gazette: no. 32805. p. 1989. 13 March 1923. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
8. Stewart, Iain. "Lord Ashcroft VC Collection". victoriacross.org.uk. Retrieved 15 January 2013.

• Location of grave and VC medal (Gloucestershire)