No.S/42253, Private, Arthur MARTIN
Aged 23
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Arthur Martin was born in Poslingford (Risbridge Q3-1894 4A:663), son of George and Julia MARTIN (née HONEYBALL).
1901 census...Aged 6, he was at The Street, Poslingford with his father George MARTIN [25] shepherd; his mother Julia [26] born Wickhambrook and his brother Frederick [2]. All except his mother born in Poslingford. His mother died in 1902 and his father married Hannah SALTER in 1903 1911 census...Aged 16, a farm labourer, he was in Poslingford with his father, step mother Hannah [37] born Long Melford and brother Frederick. His brother Frederick died of his wounds at home July 1918 see here |
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He enlisted in Clare on 8th September 1914 in 2nd/5th Suffolk Regiment No 2368, giving his age as 20 He was 5 feet 5.5 inches (166.4 cm) tall, chest 36"to 37" (91.4 to 94 cm).
Next of kin was father George Martin. It is hard to explain without more documentation why he then spent so long in UK, but on 9th February 1918 he was transferred to the 3rd Reserve Battalion, Gordon Highlanders and on to 52nd Training Reserve Battalion, before being sent to France to join the 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders on 25th May 1918. He was admitted to hospital on 15th July with P.U.O (Pyrexia unknown origin- Army speak for don't know what is wrong with him). Returning to his unit on 15th July he was killed in action on 23rd August. On the living relatives form his father is at Cranfield Cottages,Long Melford, his brother Fred having been killed. The war diary has 23/8/18 - When the attack started the two right flank Coys met some opposition on the RAILWAY EMBANKMENT half way to their objective and were exposed to considerable MG fire from their right and right rear - They dug in however well on the flank and undoubtedly saved a large number of casualties in the assaulting battalion. the 2nd Division went through at 11 am and this relieved the pressure - about 4 pm the Battn moved forwards to a position just SE of GOMIECOURT and dug themselves in. The night passed quietly on the front except for some gas shelling between the VILLAGE and the RAILWAY EMBANKMENT CWGC have 36 killed, 10 of them with no known grave.
photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
