St. Matthews Church, Burnley: The Burnley Curate
The reverend appointed to lead the funeral of a German flying ace
鈥淭he Red Baron鈥 is one of the most famous names to come out of World War One.
Baron Manfred Von Richtofen was the scourge of allied fliers and troops. He was credited with 80 victories 鈥 more than any other fighter ace of the war.
When he was finally killed in April 1918, his funeral service was led by the Rev George Marshall 鈥 an army chaplain from Todmorden who went on to be a curate at Habergham Eaves in Burnley.
George Marshall 鈥 who had already been awarded the Distinguished Service Order - was an army chaplain and was the nearest to the scene when Richtofen was shot down. Rare film footage of the funeral shows George Marshall walking at the head of the funeral procession and carrying out the funeral which took place with full military honours - evidence of the esteem with which the pilot was held by the allies.
After the war, George Marshall 鈥 who had been educated at Manchester University - was curate at St Matthew鈥檚 in Burnley before moving to Yorkshire. He also served in World War Two. He died in 1953.
Location: St. Matthews Vicarage, Harriet Street, Lancashire, Burnley BB11 4JH
Image: St Matthews Church
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