Harold Percival Martin
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | c1898 |
| Place of Birth | Moolianbeenee, Western Australia |
| Death | 24 Jul 1981, aged 82 |
| Place of Death | Karrinyup, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 18 years, 8 months |
| Description |
5' 5½" (1.66m) tall ; 146 lbs 66.224 kg ; fresh complexion ; brown eyes ; brown hair |
| Occupation | Dairyman |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Armadale, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Mother , Mrs Clara Martin |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 7782 |
| Date of Enlistment | 22 Jun 1917 |
| Rank | Driver |
| Unit/Formation | 16th Battalion, 16th reinforcements transferred to 32nd Battalion / 8th Brigade, 5th Division |
| Date of Embarkation | 1 Aug 1917 ‒ 21 Sep 1917 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A7 Medic Sydney to Halifax |
| Date of Embarkation | 22 Sep 1917 ‒ 3 Oct 1917 |
| Ship Embarked On | SS Orissa Halifax to Liverpool |
| Date of Return | 1 Jun 1919 ‒ 8 Jul 1919 |
| Ship Returned On | SS Somali |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Monument |
Armadale War Memorial (West Armadale Panel) Kelmscott War Memorial (North Panel) Armadale and Districts Roll of Honour |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
War Service
Father William George Martin was on active service when he enlisted, and he joined him later in the the same unit. Harold's journey to England differed from most other soldiers in that his first leg was from Sydney to Halifax in Canada aboard HMAT A7 Medic arrival in England aboard [[HMAT A7 Medic. In Halifax he was transferred to the SS Orissa which deposited him in Liverpool on 3 Oct 1917. On arrival in ENgland Harold was posted to the 4th Training Battalion at Codford before going to France via Southampton on 16 Jan 1918.
Harold joined the 16th Battalion in the field on 19 Jan 1918 as they prepared to move back to the forward area. However, on 7 Feb 1918 Harold was transferred to the 32nd Battalion, which at the time was in the front lines near Warneton on the Belgium/France border south of Ypres. From 14 Dec until 28 Dec 1918 he enjoyed leave in the UK (total time away was from 12 Dec 1918 until 2 Jan 1919) before returning to the 32nd Battalion in France. On 4 Feb 1919 he became a driver with his unit in France. Left his battalion for England on his way home on 5 May 1919, arriving there on 13 May 1919. From 4 - 6 Jun 1919 he sought medical attention in the SS Somali's hospital.
Harold was discharged by the 5th Military District on 7 Aug 1919
No record of a marriage in WA being registered prior to 1937 so it is likely that he married Johanna Agnes in 1937 as she appears in the Electoral Roll for that year. Johanna died 27 Jun 1965 aged 63.
Post War
Electoral Roll entries - 1925 - 1936 bricklayer at 16 Farnley street, Maylands; 1937 - 1958 with Johanna Agnes at 41 Railway parade, Maylands; 1963 a builder at 41 Westview street Scarborough; 1968 by himself at Flat 2, 308 Stirling street, Perth; 1972 40/12 Tenth avenue, Maylands; 1977 back at 41 Westview street, Scarborough.
Notes