No. 38011, Private, William MARTIN
Aged 26
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There is too much doubt about his parentage
1881 census...Aged 9 months he was at Upper Green, Higham with his grandfather Thomas MARTIN [55] farm labourer born Higham; grandmother Eliza [50] née WRIGHT born Barrow; uncle George MARTIN [23] single, farm labourer born Barrow, aunt Kate MARTIN, [12] born Higham and great grandfather James WRIGHT [78] born Barrow 1891 census...Aged 9, he was at Upper Green, Higham with his widowed grandmother Eliza MARTIN, [62] born Barrow, uncle George Albert MARTIN [29] farm labourer born Barrow, and brother ? Elias [6] born Higham. 1901 census...Aged 20, a railway labourer, he was at Middle Green, Higham with his grandmother Eliza MARTIN and his brother Elias (farm labourer). 1911 census...Aged 29, he was a maltster's labourer, lodging with Charles and Sarah Seaman at 95 Victoria Street, Burton on Trent. This was very near to where Bertie Lyes (also a maltster's labourer from Higham) was lodging. |
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He enlisted in Burton on Trent. As he died of his wounds and his Army records have not been found it is difficult to say where or when exactly he was wounded. For the period September 20th-25th 1917 the 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers were engaged in the Battle of the Menin Road. The Bury Free Press of 27th October 1917 reported:- HIGHAM MAN'S DEATH FROM WOUNDS It is with deep regret we record the death of Prvt W.Martin, Northumberland Fusiliers, grandson of widow E.Martin, of Middle Green, Higham, who died of wounds received in action at the ambulance station on September 27th. The deceased was invalided home with trench fever during the early part of this year, and returned to France again in July Before joining the Army the deceased had been employed at the breweries, Burton on Trent for several years, and was highly respected by all who knew him.Much sympathy is felt for his aged grandmother, who is over 80 years of age. Prvt W.Martin is the tenth Higham young man to give his life for King and country.
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