William George Martin
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | c1873 |
| Place of Birth | Gingin, Western Australia |
| Death | 3 Sep 1947, aged 75 |
| Place of Death | Mt Lawley, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 42 years, 10 months |
| Description |
5' 9" (1.75m) tall ; 158 lbs 71.668 kg ; brown complexion ; brown eyes ; black and grey hair |
| Occupation | Road Board foreman |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Armadale, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Wife , Mrs Clara Martin |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 4003 |
| Date of Enlistment | 4 Mar 1916 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 32nd Battalion, 10th Reinforcement / 8th Brigade, 5th Division |
| Date of Embarkation | 30 Oct 1916 ‒ 26 Dec 1916 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A16 Port Melbourne Fremantle to Devonport |
| Date of Return | 19 Oct 1918 ‒ 15 Dec 1918 |
| Ship Returned On | SS Sardinia |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Monument |
Armadale War Memorial (West Armadale panel) Armadale and Districts Roll of Honour |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
Electoral Roll entries: 1903 Burt street, Perth, dairyman; 1906 - 1916 dairyman at 9th Avenue, Armadale; 1917 foreman (Armadale-Kelmscott Roads Board foreman of the outside workforce).
War Service
Initially allocated to the 13th Reinforcement draft for the 28th Battalion. While still training in WA he was transferred in turn to the 22nd reinforcement for the 11th Battalion, and then the 10th reinforcement for the 32nd Battalion where he was promoted Corporal.
On arrival in England, Bill was posted to the 8th Training Battalion at Hurdcott, and he spent some time in hospital at Fovant with mumps before entering France via Folkestone on 20 Mar 1917. On arrival at the 5th Australian Division Base Depot he reverted to Private
Taken on strength of the 32nd Battalion on 25 Mar 1917 near Gueudecourt. His son Harold Percival Martin was also to become a member of the 32nd Battalion on 7 Feb 1918. William was admitted to 5th General Hospital in Rouen after developing pyelites / nephritis on 5 Jun 1918, and transferred on HMHS Western Australia to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Netley, England on 18 Jun 1918. He was then released to the 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital on 19 Jul 1918.
The next day he was discharged from hospital to the No 2 Command Depot at Weymouth, awaiting medical evacuation to Australia on 19 Oct 1918, and final discharge by 5th Military District on 2 Mar 1919.
Mentioned in The Drill of the Foot-Hills 1917 Feb-Mar edition, but no detail.
Post War
Married Clara Kay at Chittering in 1898. Clara died 11 Mar 1960 aged 82. Children - Harold Percival b. 17 Oct 1898 d.24 Jul 1981; Clara Ivy b. 1900 d. 25 Feb 1987; Olive May b. 1901 d. 29 Dec 1964. Murial Marcia b.1905; Arthur Mervyn b.1911 d. 27 Feb 1979, George b. ??
Electoral Roll entries - 1921 returned soldier at 213 Bulwer street, North Perth; 1925 - 1936 warehouseman at 16 Farnley street, Maylands; 1937 - 1943 a warehouseman at 41a Railway parade, Maylands where he died.
Notes