Sir Michael Marshall
1931 – 2006
Michael was born in Sheffield where his father had a printing business. He had a younger sister, Anita though during the war period they shared their home with seven other children, offspring of friends and relations who his mother was caring for.
After schooling at Bradfordhe joined United Steel and worked in India for seven years. While there he became involved with All India Radio and started cricket commentating. Sponsored by United Steelhe acquired an MBA at HavardBusinessSchool and in so doing developed an enduring love of theUSA. He decided to undertake an Arts degree at the University of Stanford.
Michael continued his successful business career becoming Managing Director for United Steel and later MD of Heads Wrightson. He went on to act as an adviser to major British, American and European businesses. He was a member of The Council of Bristol and Sussex and of the senate at the University of Southhampton. In 2004 an Honorary Fellowship was conferred on him by the University College Chichester.
In 1972 he sought adoption as conservative candidate for Arundel, was elected and served as our MP from 1974 to 1997. He was a caring and conscientious MP always having time for his constituents whatever their political allegiance. He became prominent in the national scene. He served as Parliamentary Secretary for Industry under Mrs Thatcher and was chairman of the Parliamentary Information Technology Committee. He was the World President of The Inter Parliamentary Union in Geneva for three years and in 1990 was honoured with a knighthood for services to inter parliamentary diplomacy. He was also involved in setting up and arranging the speakers for prayer breakfasts for the IT Committee and the all party Christian Group. He was a deputy Lieutenant for West Sussex.
Apart from his businessand political careers he had three other great loves – his family, cricket and the theatre. He and Caroline were married for 34 years and lived in Slindon all that time. His interest in the theatre started in his school days and his first book was the story of Jack Buchanan. Years later he wrote his biography. A great friend of his was Paul Edington who visited Slindon on many occasions. He also compiled a collection of Stanley Holloway monologues.
Michael enjoyed all sport. He was a member of The Royal and Ancient at St Andrews and one of the longest serving members of the MCC. He had an encyclopaedic knowledge of cricket and used to commentate at Arundel. He wrote ‘Gentlemen and Players’ described as in “the all time First X1 for social history of any sport”. He also published works on business and technology. It was a joy to him to live in a village which is one of the cradles of English Cricket. He regularly organised matches between Slindon and a team from the Festival Theatre. Teams included people like Jeremy Kemp, Leslie Crowther and Richie Benaud. John Major also visited Slindon to meet local Tories but also to enjoy the cricket at Arundel.
His strong faith was central to his life and he and Caroline gained much strength from their faith and their church community during his illness. He was acharming, modest and approachable man.