George Henry Martin MM MID

George Henry Martin MM MID

Western Mail 26 Aug 1915 page 5, 12 May 1916 & Sunday Times 17 Feb 1918
Personal Information
Date of Birth	19 Jun 1892
Place of Birth	Kelmscott, Western Australia
Death	28 Jun 1963, aged 71
Place of Death	Kelmscott, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment	22 years, 4 months
Description	5'7½" (1.71m) tall ; 140 lbs 63.503 kg ; sallow complexion ; grey eyes ; black hair
Occupation	Sleeper cutter
Religion	Presbyterian
Address	Kelmscott, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Mother , Mrs Rosena Sarah Martin
Military Information
Reg Number	78
Date of Enlistment	15 Oct 1914
Rank	Staff Sergeant (Quarter Master Sergeant)
Unit/Formation	16th Battalion, B Company, 4th Brigade, 1st Division on Gallipoli; 4th Division on the Western Front
Date of Embarkation	22 Dec 1914 ‒ 1 Feb 1915
Ship Embarked On	HMAT A40 Ceramic
Date of Return	24 Aug 1918 ‒ 15 Oct 1918
Ship Returned On	HMAT A7 Medic
Fate	Wounded in Action 21 May 1915 Gallipoli Returned to Australia
Monument	Kelmscott War Memorial (North Panel) Jarrahdale Honour Roll ANZAC Memorial Park (Byford)
Medals	Military Medal Mentioned in Despatches 1914-15 Star British War Medal Victory Medal

War Service

Embarked with his Battalion for the Gallipoli Peninsular via Mudross harbour on 12 Apr 1915, landing in the early evening of 25 Apr 1915.

Wounded with a gunshot wound to his head on 21 May 1915, he was admitted to the 1st Australian Stationary Hospital at Mudros on the island of Lemnos for treatment, returning to his unit on 29 May 1915.

Reported sick to 4th Field Ambulance Canterbury in Rest Gully with Gastric Enteritis on 12 Aug 1915, before being promoted Corporal on 5 Sep 1915. On 19 Sep 1915 he was again admitted to the 1st Australian Stationary Hospital on Lemnos, this time with Diarrhoea, and was then transferred to HMT Caledonia on 7 Oct 1915 for travel to the Convalescent Depot at Gibraltar before being shipped aboard HMAT A70 Ballarat to England on 25 Oct 1915 where he was admitted to the 2nd Southern General Hospital on 31 Oct 1915.

He returned by ship from Devonport to Alexandria and on by train to Ghezirah before rejoining his unit which was then at Tel-el-Kebir on 9 Mar 1916.

He arrived to find it being split to form the 16th and 48th Battalions, and as a result he was promoted to Sergeant on 22 Mar 1916, remaining with the 16th Battalion. Before entering France through Marseille aboard HMT Canada, he was admitted to hospital for 3 days on 22 May 1916 with influenza.

He was again hospitalised from 15 Feb to 5 Apr 1917. Sir Douglas Haig's despatch of 9 Apr 1917 made a Special Mention of him.. From 7 July to 2 Oct 1917 he was posted to the 4th Training Battalion at Codford in England, and soon after his return to the 16th Battalion, on 23 Oct 1917 he was promoted to Company Quarter Master Sergeant (CQMS).

On 15 Dec 1917 he was awarded the Military Medal.

As one of the originals he was transferred to AIF HQ in London on 11 Aug 1918 for Special Transport Duty, his return to Australia being as a "Submarine Guard" aboard the Hospital Ship Medic, disembarking at Melbourne on 15 Oct 1918.

Discharged 5th Military District on 21 Dec 1918.

Award Comment

Mention in Despatches by Sir Douglas Haig's despatch of 9th April 1917 as deserving of special mention.

Military Medal

"Is brought under notice for gallantry, and conduct of the highest order near BROODSEINDE. During the night of 22nd/23rd October, 1917, our lines were very heavily shelled throughout, and many direct hits were made on the post where this N.C.O. was in charge. Regardless of personal risk, he moved about amongst his men encouraging them, and when casualties occurred he was always to be found attending to the wounded. At great risk, he personally supervised working hard himself, the re-building of his damaged post, and though he was once badly shaken by a very close shell burst, he still carried on. His coolness throughout, and his cheerfulness went far towards keeping the men in good heart during a very trying night. He is recommended for high distinction."

Post War

MARTIN-LOCKHART.- On December 11, 1918, at Gosnells Methodist Church, by Rev J. Green, C.Q.M.S., George Henry (Anzac, 16th Battalion A.I.F.), fourth son of Mrs. G. K. Martin, of Kelmscott, to. Ivy Maude, fourth daughter of Mr. C. Lockhart of Gosnells. Ivy died 30 Nov 1976 aged 82.

Electoral Roll entries: 1921-1925 "Ballanu", Perth road, Williams, farmer; 1925 - 1958 in Kelmscott, an orchardist. 1968 - 1972 Ivy remained in Rundle street, Kelmscott following George's death until her own.

MARTIN once I. Lockhart.- On January 27 at Nurse Menzies's Hospital, Narrogin, to Mr. and Mrs. G. H Martin, of the Williams - a daughter. (Corallie Rose). Both well.

MARTIN, (nee Lockhart).-On October 24 at Nurse Lawrence's, Williams, to Mr. and Mrs. George Martin, of Williams - twin daughters (Lorna and Edna). All well.

MARTIN. GEORGE, of Kelmscott, a daughter, on June 25.

During World War 2 George served with the 2nd (Fremantle) Battalion of the VC as a Warrant Officer Class 2 with regimental number W67632. He enlisted on 22 Mar 1942, and was discharged on 11 Jan 1944.

External Links

• AIF Project
• RSL Virtual War Memorial