David Marsh
David was born on the 1st of September, 1984, at the Northern General Hospital, Sheffield.
At the age of three David went to Thurgoland Playgroup where he met Adam and Nicky. They became inseparable best friends; a friendship which continued through primary school, secondary school and into adulthood. From playgroup he went to Thurgoland C of E Primary School, where he spent seven happy years.
From an early age David loved to play outside, riding on his bike or his go-cart – made by his grandpa but with plenty of David-style alterations! One of these was a trailer, which he and Katy would ride on up and down the lane with his cousins Edward and Daniel. A box of nails and a hammer and he was as happy as anything! Both David and Daniel made a tree camp and a rope swing up the lane; they both had some good times up there.
He loved the snow. As soon as it was on the ground he would be out with his sledge or building a snowman or an igloo. He would only come in when he was wet through and cold.
Then it was off to Penistone Grammar School where he excelled at cross-country running, representing South Yorkshire at the English Schools Cross-country Championships. This success continued on the running track in 800 metre and 1500 metre races and when he joined Barnsley Athletic Club his first 800 metre race saw him come third and awarded a bronze medal.
When David left school he went to Barnsley College where he gained a diploma in sports science.
He then decided he wanted to join the Royal Marines so off he went to Lympstone for the Potential Royal Marines course. Here he excelled, getting one of the fastest times on the obstacle course and then came home with a pair of boots which he had to polish and pad in!
In September 2002 David joined the Marines and began his 30 weeks’ training. At the end of this training he earned the most coveted Green Beret – the final exercise being the 30 miler across Dartmoor in under 8 hours. Of the 56 men who started in 838 Troop only 11 remained. At the passing out parade David was awarded the physical training medal for the highest standard of physical fitness in his troop. He was also awarded the Commando Medal, which is given for Cheerfulness Under Adversity, Determination, Unselfishness and Courage – the Commando spirit of which he enthused.
On passing out David joined 45 Commando Zulu Company in Scotland. Whilst in Zulu Company David worked in Northern Ireland and America and that is where the ‘Billy the Kid’ tattoo appeared across his chest!
It was also whilst in Scotland he met Claire. Their relationship flourished over time and so they married in April 2007 and had a beautiful daughter, Molly, whom David adored.
David then moved to 40 Commando, Charlie Company and set up home in Taunton. In October 2007 he was deployed to Afghanistan.
David would have loved the Billy The Kid Dash. He would have run it in his cowboy boots and hat – and most likely would have won!
