Henry James (Harry) Martin

Henry James (Harry) Martin

Henry James (Harry) Martin Photo courtesy E. de Ruiter
Personal Information
Date of Birth	c1895
Place of Birth	Geraldton, Western Australia
Death	24 Apr 1916
Place of Death	Blackboy Hill camp
Age at Enlistment	20 years, 10 months
Description	5'5½" (1.m) tall ; 120lbs 54.431 kg ; fresh complexion ; grey eyes ; brown hair
Occupation	Labourer
Religion	Roman Catholic
Address	Torridge Estate, Kelmscott, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Father , Mr James Newland Martin
Military Information
Reg Number	[1]
Date of Enlistment	31 Mar 1916
Rank	Private
Unit/Formation	60th Depot Company (Blackboy Hill camp)
Fate	Did not leave Australia Died in Australia

Pre War

Born in Geraldton and appears to have lived there up until he relocated with family to Kelmscott in 1916 when he enlisted.

War Service

On entering Blackboy Hill camp on 31 Mar 1916 he was allocated to the 60th Depot Company. This was to change on 7 Apr 1916 when he was moved into the 6th Depot Squadron. (A death notice in the West Australian calls this the 6th Reinforcement for the 10th Light Horse Regiment.)

A Court of Inquiry was held on 25 Apr 1916, taking evidence from one witness - Capt VH Gordon AMC the doctor that treated Henry. He stated:

That Henry James Martin was admitted to Blackboy Clearing Hospital on April 16th 1916 suffering from measles. The rash quickly disappeared and general condition improved so that he was sent to the Convalescent Marquee on April 20th 1916.

On April 22nd 1916, he was discharged to three days light duty in his lines, but left the camp on that afternoon. On the twenty-third he was again admitted to Blackboy Clearing Hospital suffering from double pneumonia. He died from heart failure on April 24th 1916.

The journey home in the night air was undoubtedly the cause of the sudden attack of pneumonia. He expressed himself as perfectly well before leaving the Convalescent Marquee and certainly showed no symptoms of pulmonary trouble.

Finding: The Court found that Private HJ Martin brought on the disease which caused his death by leaving the camp contrary to orders and exposing himself to the chill of the night air.

MILITARY FUNERAL. MARTIN.— The Friends of the late TROOPER HENRY JAMES MARTIN, of the sixth reinforcements of the 10th Light Horse, Blackboy Hill, son of Mr. and Mrs. N. J. Martin, of Kelmscott, are respectfully invited to follow his remains to tho place of in-terment, the Roman Catholic Ceme-tery, Karrakatta. Tho funeral is appointed to leave Messrs. Bowra and O'Dea's' Private Mortuary, 195 Pier-street, Perth, at 9.45 o'clock TO-MORROW (Wednesday) MORNING. per road. Friends wishing to attend , the funeral may proceed by the 10.30 trains leaving Perth and Fremantle. BOWRA and O'DEA, Undertakers, 195 Pier-street, Perth. Tel. A4303.

THE LATE TROOPER MARTIN. The funeral of the late Trooper Henry James Martin, of the 6th reinforcements of the 10th Light Horse, took place on Wednesday morning with military honors. The deceased, who was in his 21st year, was a son of Mr. and Mrs. James Newland Martin, of Kelmscott. He was born at Geraldton, and lived there all his life. The cortege, which was very impressive, moved from Messrs. Bowra and O'Dea's Private Mortuary, in Pier-street, headed by a firing party in charge of Sergeant E. C. Hardwick, with Lieu tenant Hamlin in command of the parade, and proceeded to the Roman Catholic portion of the Karrakatta Cemetery, where the remains were Interred, Army Chaplain Rev. Father P. M'Bride conducted the last rites, after which three volleys were fired, and the 'Last Post' sounded by Bugler W. Grayson. The pall-bearers were Privates T. Horan, T. O'Brien, W. Seeley, K. Lindberg, A. C. N. Quartermaine, and J. Moran. The chief mourners were Mr. and Mrs. J. N. Martin (father and mother), Miss A, Martin (sister), Mrs. H. Critch and Mrs. T. Houlahan (aunts), Messrs. F. and A. Martin, F. Flindell, and J. Hicks (uncles), Miss Critch (cousin), Mrs. A. Fraser, and Mrs. H, Bishop. Wreaths and floral tributes were received from numerous friends, The funeral arrangements were in the hands of Messrs. Bowra and O'Dea.