Christopher Edward Saltmarsh grew up in Chelmsford to become manager of Home & Colonial Stores. He joined the army in 1940, survived D-Day and was one of the first to fire onto German soil. He died in Belgium from wounds received in Germany.

Christopher Edward SALTMARSH, 413 Battery, 147 (The Essex Yeomanry) Field Regiment,

Royal Artillery. Killed in Germany. Aged 29

Christopher was a veteran of D-Day, where he landed on Gold Beach. He participated in the fighting in northern France, Belgium and the Netherlands and, according to an article in the Essex Chronicle in late 1944, he was one of the first men to fire on targets in Germany. The photograph below, which accompanied the story, shows Christopher in the centre of the scene.

On 23rd January 1945 Christopher died from wounds he had received at Sittard in the Netherlands two days earlier. He was 29. He was originally buried at Limburg, and today he lies at Leopoldsburg War Cemetery in Belgium (grave VI. B. 16.).

At the time of his death Christopher's parents were living at 70 Manor Road in Chelmsford. Christopher is commemorated on Galleywood's war memorial.

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Christopher Edward Saltmarsh was born on 18th September 1915, one of four sons of Harry Saltmarsh (1887-1959) and Ethel Florence Saltmarsh (nee Orrin) (1891-1961). His parents had married late in 1911, His brothers were Geoffrey H. Saltmarsh (1913-1992), Allan Brian Saltmarsh (1919-2003), Cyril S. Saltmarsh (born 1922), and Ralph D. Saltmarsh (born in 1938).

Two of Christopher's relatives lost their lives in the First World War and are commemorated by Chelmsford's War Memorial: his uncle Arthur Saltmarsh, and his grandfather's brother Christopher Edward Saltmarsh (whom he was probably named after).

Christopher worked as a manager of Home & Colonial Stores in Chelmsford.

He was called up in 1940 and served as Gunner 977733 in 413 Battery, 147 (The Essex Yeomanry) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery.

On 19th September 1942, when aged 27, Harry married 20 year-old Pamela Doreen Mussett of Holly Cottage, Goat Hall Lane in Galleywood. He had met her when they worked together at Home & Colonial

Stores, 55 High Street, Chelmsford. At the time of his marriage Christopher’s parents were libing at 70 Manor Road, Chelmsford. Their honeymoon was spent in Devon.

Christopher was a veteran of D-Day, where he landed on Gold Beach. He participated in the fighting in northern France, Belgium and the Netherlands and, according to an article in the Essex Chronicle in late 1944, he was one of the first men to fire on targets in Germany. The photograph above right, which accompanied the story, shows Christopher in the centre of the scene.