Who knew that reggae legend Bob Marley’s father served the Great War at Park Hall?

Probably not many, considering the life of Mr Marley was not as illustrious as his famous son’s – or was it?

Norval Sinclair Marley was born in Crowborough, Sussex, in 1885, but spent most of his early life living and working in Cuba.

The man who would one day become the father of one of music’s most influential figures, returned to the UK from Cuba in 1916, enlisting on the August 12 at Liverpool.

Upon enlisting, Mr Marley gave his employment as working in construction.

Mr Marley stood at 5ft 5ins (or 1.65m) tall and weighed 124lbs (or 56kg) upon enlistment, which prompted the Army Recruitment Office to declare him physically fit and suitable for training in trench warfare, which saw him immediately transfer to Park Hall Camp to train and sign up to the Liverpool Scottish platoon of the Territorial Army.

However, in September 1916, just after arriving, Mr Marley reported sick due to strain.The medical report confirmed strain, along with another medical condition. which we shall not divulge into and shall let the source describe it, butThe psychiatric part of the report described him as “neurotic”.

For this medical condition, he was checked into the Park Hall Military Hospital at Gobowen.

Upon discharge, Mr Marley was transferred the Labour Corps and spent the remainder of the war in the UK, eventually being discharged from the Territorial Army altogether with full pension due to ill health.

Following his service, certain rumours were circulated about Mr Marley’s period of service in the military.

One of the rumours was that he later joined the Royal Marines and rose to be promoted to the rank of captain, while another rumour is he was indeed a captain, but with the Nigerian Police Force during the Colonial Era.

The latter rumour was affirmed by his nephew, Dr Norval Marley, while it is believed Mr Marley himself circulated the former rumour, making this rumour one of the British Empire’s first examples of ‘stolen valor’.

Mr Marley’s mother was also known for circulating exaggerated stories about her prodigal son, so any claims can only be taken with a pinch of salt.

Mr Marley eventually moved to Jamaica and got a job working as a supervisor on a plantation, where he met Bob’s mother, Cedella.

They married and produced Bob on February 6, 1945. Mr and Mrs Marley eventually divorced.

Following the divorce, Mr Marley continued to play a small role in Bob’s childhood, but was unable to progress any further due to work commitments.

Mr Marley passed away from a heart attack in 1955, aged 70.

Bob went on to forge a legendary career in music in the 1960s and 70s, with hits including Exodus, Jamming and One Love, before his death in 1981.