Arthur Percy MARTIN

Regimental number135
Place of birthTunbridge Wells, Kent, England
SchoolSt James School, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England
Age on arrival in Australia17
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationFarm hand
Address18 Calverley Street, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation18
Height5' 3.25"
Weight123 lbs
Next of kinMother, Mrs Mary Ann Martin, 18 Calverley Street, Tunbridge, Wells, Kent, England
Previous military serviceNil (exempt area under Compulsory Military Training scheme)
Enlistment date30 June 1915
Place of enlistmentKeswick, South Australia
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name32nd Battalion, A Company
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/49/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A2 Geelong on 18 November 1915
The 32nd Bn (Headquarters, Signallers, A, B, C, and D Companies) embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on two ships, HMAT A2 'Geelong', on 18 November 1915, and HMAT A13 'Katuna', on 24 November 1915. The Embarkation Roll does not distinguish between these ships, and it is therefore not possible from the Embarkation Roll to ascertain on which ship an individual embarked.
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll32nd Battalion
Other details from Roll of Honour CircularWas sent to Australia to a farm by the Kent Colonising Association.
FateKilled in Action 20 July 1916
Place of death or woundingFrance
Age at death19
Place of burialNo known grave
Commemoration detailsV.C. Corner (Panel No 6), Australian Cemetery Memorial, Fromelles, France
Panel number, Roll of Honour,
  Australian War Memorial
120
Family/military connectionsBrother: 217502 Pte Ernest MARTIN, 572nd Company, Army Service Corps, British Army
Other details

War service: Egypt, Western Front

Disembarked Suez, ex-HMAT 'Geelong', 18 December 1915.

Found guilty, 9 January 1916, of failing to appear at time and place appointed for a ferry fatigue: awarded 7 days' confined to barracks and forfeited 3 days' pay.

Found guilty, 2 March 1916, of failing to appear at a place of parade appointed by his Commanding Officer: awarded 3 days' confined to barracks.

Found guilty, 23 May 1916, of failing to comply with an order given by an NCO: awarded 2 days' Field Punishment No 2 and 3 days' confined to barracks.

Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 17 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 23 June 1916.

Posted missing, 20 July 1916.

Court of Enquiry, held in the field, 12 August 1917, pronounced fate as 'Killed in Action, 20 July 1916'.

Statement, Red Cross File No 1720210, 91 Sergeant A. ERRINGTON, A Company, 32nd Bn, 11 December 1916: 'He was killed at Fromelles on July 20th. I have seen his grave in the Eaton Hall cemetery, Cellar Farm Avenue, Fleurbaix. there is a cross on his grave with his name on it.' Errington subsequently stated: 'I have no recollection of having made a statement to the effect that Pte. A.P. Martin was buried at Eaton Hall Cemetery ... or that I had seen his grave. Further I have no knowledge of anything regarding the said Pte. A.P. Martin ... '

Second statement, 64 Pte B.N. CASLEY, A Company, 32nd Bn (patient, 1st Southern General Hospital, Birmingham, England), 24 March 1917: 'I remember seeing Martin in the German front line trench. He was badly wounded by shrapnel in theright arm and shoulder and unable to walk. I left him with the other wounded in a dug out in the German trenches. I knew him well. The above occured (sic) about 8 o'clock.'

Third statement, 167 Lance Corporal T.H.W. REDMAN, A Company, 32nd Bn, 21 January 1919: 'At Fleurbaix about 6.30 in [the] evening, of 19th July 1916. I saw Martin in Enemy's 1st line trench. He had been wounded by shrapnel or bullet in shoulder. I helped to bandage him up and then had to leave him. Was conscious and was groaning a good deal. He wanted to know if his arm was off. There was heavy shelling over the trench all night. I was taken prisoner of war.'

Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
SourcesNAA: B2455, MARTIN Arthur Percy
Red Cross file 1720210