Robert Earle Marshall
One of five brothers, four of whom served in the military, Bob was the son of Richard Earle Marshall and Agnes Mable Tilcock. He was one of eight children and twin to Margaret Ella, all born and raised at 14 River St., Acton.
Bob’s mother died in 1922, in childbirth, leaving Earl age 40, to raise eight children between the ages of 17 and 7. The 1931 Canadian Census lists 17-year-old Allan as a baker and 14-year-old Ella as a homemaker. Bob and his siblings were listed as students.
Bob, age 22, bachelor and glove cutter, married Lillian Orma Lawrence, spinster and domestic, in the Village of Acton on November 9th, 1938. The couple would have five children.
During WW2 Bob was physical fitness trainer for the military in Saskatchewan. He was then stationed in Victoria British Columbia for a short time and was ready to be deployed overseas when the war ended.
After his return home, Bob worked at Storey Glove Factory for a few years, then at Baxter Labs, finally landing at Dills Printing and Publishing. He also delivered milk on Saturday mornings for one of the local dairies via horse and buggy. Bob also worked with the Acton Agricultural Society, Junior Farmers and in minor hockey both as coach and referee.
The 1957 List of Electors shows Bob and Lillian living at 210 Main St. North, Acton …a home they purchased from local jeweller Benny Rachlin, prior to their move to the Third Line, Acton.
Bob died on May 3, 2008 and is buried at Fairview Cemetery, Acton.
Truly a Canadian Hero. His story lives on.
*Information submitted to Homes of Heroes Halton Hills by Bronwyn Marshall Parker and obtained from Ancestry.ca, Findagrave.com and obituaries.thestar.com
