# Dad Marston — Robbery Under Arms character guide > Dad Marston in Robbery Under Arms by Rolf Boldrewood. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Dad, old Ben Marston **First appearance:** 0001-robbery-under-arms ## Snapshot Old Ben Marston, a hard-drinking former convict and the Marston boys' father, whose word carries weight among the gang even as his body fails him. ## Who they are Dad Marston is the patriarch of the Marston family and a veteran of the criminal life, respected enough at the gang's council that Hulbert calls on him to speak first. He offers his sons a legacy of outlawry and a mother's grief, and his authority is both a shield and a curse for Dick and Jim. His presence in the Hollow and at the gang's meetings shows how crime becomes inheritance, passed from father to son like a farm or a trade. ## Relationships ### [Father Doyle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/characters/father_doyle) _rivalry_ Dad Marston, a hardened criminal, resents Father Doyle's moral influence over his family. ### [Father Doyle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/characters/father_doyle) _rivalry_ Dad Marston, a hardened criminal, resents Father Doyle's moral influence over his family. ### [Father Doyle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/characters/father_doyle) _rivalry_ Dad Marston, a hardened criminal, resents Father Doyle's moral influence over his family. ## In the story ### [Robbery Under Arms](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/robbery-under-arms) Patriarch of the Marston family, whose influence and actions shape the brothers' descent into outlawry. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/i) Dick's father, a former English poacher and convict, now a skilled bushman and hard worker. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/ii) Dick's father, a cattle duffer who forces his sons to brand stolen calves and assaults his wife. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/iv) Leads the cattle theft, shows a grim determination and a rare laugh; driven by revenge against those who imprisoned him. ### [Terrible Hollow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/v) Leads the operation with expert bushcraft, reveals the secret entrance to Terrible Hollow, and speaks with grudging admiration for Starlight. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/vi) Stays at the Hollow to help Starlight; shows rare softness but remains hardened; clashes with Starlight over bringing his sons into crime. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/vii) Mentioned in comparison to Aileen's determined expression and in Dick's thoughts about the past. ### [The Toss of a Coin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xi) Dad Marston is deeply involved in the planning, having already set up a yard and squared a stockman for the big cattle theft. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xii) Warns the brothers to leave Adelaide quickly; shows concern about Starlight's reckless spending and socializing. ### [Homecoming and Family Tension](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xiv) Provides news about Starlight's situation in New Zealand and advises the brothers to lie low. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xvi) Brings news of Starlight's arrest; advises his sons to flee to the Hollow immediately. ### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xx) Mentioned as providing fresh horses and intelligence to aid the escape. ### [Homecoming and Resolve](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xxi) Leads the group home, uses the dog Crib for warning, and organizes the family's departure to the Hollow. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xxii) Leads the brothers into the Hollow; provides brandy and food; speaks cheerfully about their safe haven. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xxiii) Fiercely opposes surrender, vowing to fight to the death and condemning any talk of giving in. ### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xxiv) Assists by taking horses to the staging point ahead of the robbery. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xxv) Reluctantly votes to send Wharton's collection onward; keeps the cave orderly. ### [The Ballabri Bank Robbery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xxvii) Assists in the robbery by driving the express wagon to carry away the loot; prefers staying in the Hollow over risky escape plans. ### [XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xxxv) Growls out words; knows about the other man involved in the plan and grins; organizes the drawing of lots for captain. ### [XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xxxvi) Busy with saddlery and packing; helps lead packhorses after the robbery. ### [XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xxxvii) Ventures out to get newspapers and letters, takes Dick to a remote hut, and recounts a story about a dog identifying a prisoner in court. ### [XXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xxxviii) Dismissive of the legal concept of outlawry, though secretly troubled by it. ### [Chapter XL](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xl) Ben Marston is wounded during the ambush by bounty hunters, but manages to escape into Black Gully. ### [XLI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xli) Found wounded at the Hollow, raves in delirium, revealing past secrets and justifying his revenge killings. ### [XLII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xlii) Recovers from fever and wound, shows stubborn temper, and reminisces about his youth. ### [XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xliii) Recovers from his wounds, bids Aileen farewell, and expresses regret for his past actions. ### [Chapter XLIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xliv) Angry about Jim's departure; mollified by Starlight's story; struggles with illiteracy. ### [XLVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xlviii) Reacts with laughter and disbelief to the stories; struggles to understand the newspaper language. ### [XLIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xlix) Delivers a passionate outburst about his unjust treatment as a convict; forages for information. ### [LIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/liii) Refuses to leave the Hollow; criticizes Starlight's financial decisions but ultimately stays behind. ### [LIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/liv) Ben Marston; bids farewell to Dick at the Hollow, expresses premonition of his own death. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/characters/dad_marston - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/characters