Alfred Bertram Martin (1892—1985)

Private

Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) 14116 10th Battalion, D Coy
South Staffordshire Regiment 34734 16th/1st General Battalion

Photo courtesy Sue Martin with thanks to Amanda Yoxall

Alfred Bertram martin in 1920

Alfred on his wedding to Hannah Hemstock in 1920

Biography
Alfred was born in 1892 at Matlock and worked as a labourer in the coal mines. He joined the Army in September 1914 at Derby aged twenty-one and entered France in July 1915. In September 1915 he suffered a gunshot wound at Etaples and was returned to the UK for treatment before returning to his unit.

He was transferred to the South Staffordshire Regiment in January 1917 before moving out to India where, in October 1918, he contracted malaria and was treated at Colaba War Hospital (Northern India) and Bombay Hospital. Leaving India aboard the hospital ship HS Castalia he was demobbed, with a 20% disability allowance, in March 1919.

He married Hannah Hemsock at Riddings Chapel in 1920. His younger brother John Martin married Hannah's younger sister Kate Hemstock at Swanwick Baptist Chapel in 1922. He died in 1985.

Photo courtesy Sue Martin with thanks to Amanda Yoxall

Alfred Bertram Martin wedding 1920

Photograph taken following the wedding of Alfred Bertram Martin to Hannah Hemstock at Riddings Baptist Chapel in 1920.
Alfred and Hannah are pictured third and fourth from the left at the back.
The wedding group includes Alfred's younger brother, John Henry (Jack) Martin (seated far left), beside Hannah's younger sister, Kate Hemstock, whom Jack married at Swanwick Baptist Chapel in 1922.
Alfred and Jack's father, Alfred Martin, is seated third from the left

hospital ship Castilia

Hospital Ship Castalia on which Alfred travelled back from India in 1917

Newspaper report

Derbyshire Times 16 October 1915
FORMER CRICH MAN WOUNDED
Mr Alfred Martin, late of Crich, now residing at Somercotes, has received the following tribute from the Commanding Officer to his son, Pvte. A.B. Martin, No 14116, D Co. 10th Battalion, Notts and Derby. Private Martin was struck by a bullet which passed right through the muscle of his arm, causing paralysis for the time. He was conveyed to Etaples Hospital, but is now at Nether Court V.A.D. Hospital, Ramsgate where he is progressing favourably. “Had it not been for the spade he was using he would have been killed; he was a credit to his platoon, and was very calm under fire. He was a man with very high ideals, and always tried to live up to them. Such men do their comrades good, and I was very sorry to lose him.” Mr Martin also has another son Pvte. John Martin in the Notts and Derbys.

Medal Roll Index Card
He was awarded the Victory, British War and 14/15 Star Medals.

Army Service Record
He attested on 01/09/14 at Nottingham, aged 21 years 193 days, an unmarried coal miner, born 1892 in Matlock. Address for pay, 13 Birchwood Lane, Alfreton. His next of kin was his father Alfred of Mill Yard Somercotes. His height was 5ft 4in; weight 134lb; blue eyes and light brown hair; a Methodist. He had a mole on his left arm.
He had a 20% disability allowance and had suffered a gun-shot wound to his left arm. Awarded 5/6 per week from 30/03/19
Theatre of War was India.
03/09/14 Joined at Derby
04/09/14 Posted
13/09/14 Posted to the 10th
14/07/15 to 24/9/15 Expeditionary Force France
22/09/15 Mother, Hannah Martin awarded 7/1 separation allowance and 3/6 allotment of pay. Gun shot wound Etaples
25/09/15 Posted to Depot Home
25/08/16 Posted to 13th
01/09/16 Transferred to 12th
27/01/17 Transferred to 1st Gn Bn South Staffs
17/10/18 to 21/10/18 Colaba War Hospital with malaria
21/10/18 to 29/10/18 Bombay Hospital with malaria
28/01/19 Embarked from Bombay for UK on H.S. Castalia
29/03/19 Demobbed

Walter Hallam's diary
Alfred is mentioned in the diaries of Walter Hallam
From his diary:
2.9.14; Pte AB Martin 14116, 10th Batt D Coy, Notts & Derby Regiment, Bovingdon Camp, Wool, Dorset
1915: Pte AB Martin, 10th Sherwood Foresters, 5th Military Hospital N ward, Shorncliffe, Kent
1919: Pte AB Martin, B Coy, 1st (FS) Sth Staffs, Garr Bt, Coleba Bks, Bombay
Bert Martin elisted 2.9.1914

Alfred Martin's brother John Martin is also on the Roll of Honour.

CENSUS INFORMATION

1901: Crich Common

Forename Surname Relationship Age Information Where born
Alfred Martin Head 33 Stone cutter Crich
Catherine Martin wife 34   Crich
Alfred B Martin son 8   Matlock Bank
Ida Martin daughter 7   Crich
Hannah M Martin daughter 5   Crich
John H Martin son 4   Crich
Constance Martin daughter 2   Crich

RG13 piece 3231 folio 18 page 27

1911: Mill Yard, Somercotes

Forename Surname Relationship Age Information Where born
Alfred Martin Head 43 Dutaller coal mine Crich
Katherine Martin wife 44   Crich
Alfred Burtram Martin son 18 Labourer coal mine Matlock
John Henry Martin son 14 Ganger coal mine Crich
Constance Martin daughter 12 School Crich
Sarah Emma Martin daughter 9 School Crich
Kathleen Martin daughter 7 School Crich
Elizabeth Martin daughter 3   Crich

RG14PN20993 RG78PN1252 RD436 SD5 ED5 SN237

1939 Register: South Street, Alfreton
Alfred B Martin b.10 November 1892; colliery dataler
Hannah Martin b.2 May 1889
Kate Flinstone (Barton, Martin) b.22 June 1922; probationary nurse
Alfred B Martin b. 2 April 1924; sanitary pipe worker
Roy Martin b.16 April 1927; school