Any info on Captain Marillier, SAAF?

[rathbonemuseum]

Please take a look at the pictures. This is a uniform named to Cpt. Marillier. It is a standard South African forces uniform with an RAF. The uniform has orange "abroad" tabs and captains pips. The ribbons on the front include the MBE, Africa Service Medal, George V jubilee (1935) and George VI coronation (1937). This is a very odd group of ribbons. In the sleeve and on the pants is a penned code: A1138 (I know, looks like a nine, but the pants are clearer). Don't know if it is some kind of service number. There are also museum codes. I am trying to find out any service history to this man. Any help out there from S. Africa?

[stefaan]

Hi.
The only reference I can find is on p159 Eagle Srtike byJA Brown.
A lt RF Mariller of 4 sqdn was shot down and lost on 31 May 1942.
He was reported safe but probably a casualty of the land battle in the area later.
He does not appear on the Roll of Honour of 31, 34 sqdns.
Most of the books in S Africa are published without indexes so have no use for research.

[rathbonemuseum]

Dear Stefaan,

Thank you for your response. I have all the "Eagles" books. I did not find that reference so thanks for the sharp eye. Do you think it might be the same guy? I am perplexed about a man who was in the service as of 1935 and important enough to get a jubilee medal and a coronation medal. Must have some connections. Is he listed as a casualty somewhere per your reference to a land battle?

Cheers,

Tod

[Ludovico Slongo]

Don't know if it could be of any interest but this is the record of the CWGC
1 MARILLIER, RONALD FORD Second Lieutenant 205546 31/05/1942 22 South African Air Force South African Column 268. ALAMEIN MEMORIAL

Definitely it doesn't seem a Captain.

Another Lieutenant Donovan Marillier was lost in 1944
Ludovico

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Hello Rathbone!
Firstly: Fantastic Museum! Congratulations!
Your man must be ERIC STANLY MARILLIER
Check out those dates and information:
25/07/1932 – Appointed by the King as Official Member of the Legislative Council of Northern Rhodesia
28/12/1934 – Made MBE as Controller of Customs ( N Rhodesia )
29/10/1935 – He appears to be …Marillier, Esq. OBE ( Controller of Customs ) – I do not know why OBE appears instead of MBE…

I checked the numbers 91138 and 11033 and found no matching to the name. I will try 1033 and check WW1 files.
Hope to have helped you so far on your search.
Friendly yours
Adriano ( Brazil )

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Sorry Rathbone!
On last post, please read STANLEY instead of Stanly. I wrote quickly and forgot the E.

[Adriano Baumgartner]

I am back again!
I also found a FREDERICK MARILLIER HOLLOWAY ( 186553 ) on the Royal Regiment of Artillery.

[Frank Olynyk]

Actually, the number looks to me like P1138, which has the form of a South African service number.

Frank.

[Alex Smart]

Hi,

Just a note to say that from the CWGC site Ronald and Donovan were brothers.

Alex

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Hello Rathbone!
I do have been doing some researches for you.
Checked the number service P1138 and got no joy...
Checked WW1 files and found:
Sub-Lt Henry C. Marillier ( 26/10/1917 )

Another man was promoted Acting Captain on 02/11/1918 ( 3rd South African Infantry ). Later this same man, F L Marillier was Captain of the 2nd S.Afr.Inf from 1/2/1919 to 25/3/1919.

All I found about WW1...

My "guess" is that we are talking of ERIC STANLEY MARILLIER, as posted previously, but for an unknonw reason, he was given a Commission in the Royal Air Force and PERHAPS given the Command of an Air School during the 40´s. I remember several Mosquito airmen I contacted telling they had done their Basic Training at Rhodesia ( Elementary Flying Training School ). I would lead my researches this way: trying to find out which EFTS or FTS operated in Rhodesia at the time and check their Commanding Officers.

Hope to have helped so far...Good luck on your research and please inform us if you manage to find who he was.

Friendly yours

Adriano