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There may, at first appearance, seem little connection between W.F. Marshall, “The Bard of Tyrone”, and the American novelist John Steinbeck. But they share a common bond: both had their literary manuscripts mauled by a dog, writes PAUL CLEMENTS.

The Rev William Forbes, or Bill Marshall, who died 50 years ago today on January 27th, 1959, spent most of his life as a Presbyterian minister in Castlerock, Co Derry. But he is best known for his ballads reflecting the life and speech of his native Tyrone. Born on May 8th, 1888 – appropriately enough, in the townland of Derebard – he was brought up in Sixmilecross,where his father was a schoolmaster.