Subsequently, he served in the Cabinet as Minister of Transport (1968–69).[4][3] When appointed to the transport ministry he let it be known that (unlike Barbara Castle, his predecessor in the post) he was a motorist, though he insisted that the family car, a Ford Cortina, was run by his wife while he relied on ministerial cars for his transport needs.[9] He was also reported as having taught his father to drive, but having given up trying to perform the same favour for his wife, applying what forty years later appears as imprudent candour in characterising the attempt as "traumatic".[9]
Chairman of British Rail
He left the House of Commons in 1971 to become Chairman of the British Railways Board, a position he held until 1976. On leaving British Rail, he was knighted, and became chairman of the Newspaper Publishers' Association (NPA). The first chairman of the NPA to come from outside of the industry, he served until 1990.[4][3] He also held the chairmanships of the British Iron and Steel Consumers' Council from 1977 to 1982 and of Allied Investments Ltd from 1977 to 1981. He was also a member of a number of quangoes, held directorships in several private companies and was chairman of TV-am from 1983 to 1984.[4]
Joins Conservatives
In 1978 he announced that he had become a supporter of Margaret Thatcher, who had been his shadow counterpart when he was Minister of Transport, and intended to vote Conservative at the forthcoming general election, held in 1979.[3] He was one of a group of ex-Labour politicians who defected to support the Conservatives in the 1979 election.[10]
In 1950 Marsh married Evelyn Mary Andrews, with whom he had two sons. In 1973 they divorced.
In 1975 Marsh's second wife Caroline died in a road accident in Spain in which the wife of broadcaster David Jacobs also lost her life; Marsh and Jacobs both survived the crash.[3][6]
Upon a mount Vert a bear sejant upon its haunches and erect Or holding between its forepaws a mitra peciosa Gold panelled Vert garnished and lined Gules the infulae Vert and fringed at their ends Gold.
Escutcheon
Argent four pallets wavy Azure on a chevron over all Gules a leopard's face between two keys wards upwards and outwards Or on a chief Gules a double warded key wards upwards between two leopard's faces Gold.
Supporters
On either side a Japanese crane (Grus japonensis) Proper the interior wing and leg of each supporting the shield the whole upon a compartment composed of water barry wavy of four Azure and Argent between two banks of marshy ground Proper sprouting therefrom plants of marsh buckler fern marsh mallow and bulrush all slipped and leaved Proper.
