Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Francis Martin a colliery engine driver, born in the July quarter of 1856 in Coleorton, Leicestershire and baptised on the 17th August 1856 in the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Coleorton (son of John Martin and Elizabeth Jacques) and his wife Jane Clarke Martin (nee Bugden, married in the January quarter of 1884 in the Barnet, Middlesex district), born in the July quarter of 1860 in South Mimms, Middlesex (daughter of William Bugden and Sarah Clarke). Archibald was born in the April quarter of 1891 in Coleorton and baptised on the 26th March 1891 in the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Coleorton, his siblings were Alice Elizabeth, a schoolgirl, born in the April quarter of 1884 in Finchley, London, Ellen Amelia, a schoolgirl, born on the 16th March 1885 and baptised on the 12th April 1885 in the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Coleorton, Francis Frederick, a schoolboy, born in the July quarter of 1886 in Coleorton and baptised on the 25th December 1886 in the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Coleorton and Annie, born in the April quarter of 1889 and baptised on the 21st April 1889 in the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Coleorton, the latter three siblings were all born in Coleorton, in April 1891 the family home was at Church Town, Coleorton. In March 1901 Archibald was residing in the family home at Belvoir Road, Coalville, together with his father, a colliery engine driver, his mother and siblings, Alice, Francis, a blacksmiths striker, Annie, Harriett Elizabeth, born on the 25th September 1892 and baptised on the 6th November 1892 in the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Coleorton, Harry, born in the July quarter of 1897 and baptised on the 1st August 1897 in the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Coleorton and James William, born in the January quarter of 1899 and baptised on the 5th March 1899 in the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Coleorton, the latter four siblings were all born in Coleorton and Hilda Lucy, born in the October quarter of 1900 in Coalville, Leicestershire and baptised on the 26th May 1901 in the Church of St. John the Baptist, Hugglescote, Leicestershire. Archibald’s father died in the April quarter of 1908 in Coalville, aged 52. In April 1911 Archibald was employed as a coal miner, hewer and was residing in the family home in Monmouth Street, Hermitage Road, Coalville, together with his widowed mother and siblings, Francis, a coal miner, hewer, Elizabeth, Harry, a wagon works labourer, James, Hilda and Albert Edward, born on the 7th May 1902 in Coalville. Archibald’s widowed mother married William F. Wesson in the April quarter of 1912 in the Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire district. Archibald also had the following siblings, Ada Lucy, born in the January quarter of 1888 in Coleorton and baptised on the 15th January 1888 in the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Coleorton and who died in July 1890 and was interred in Coleorton Cemetery on the 26th July 1890, aged 2, William Henry, born in the January quarter of 1895 in Coleorton and baptised on the 7th April 1895 in the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Coleorton and who died in August 1895 and was interred in Coleorton Cemetery on the 23rd August 1895, aged 6 months and Ada Lucy, born in the January quarter of 1896 in Coleorton and baptised on the 10th February 1896 in the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Coleorton and who died in February 1896 and was interred in Coleorton Cemetery on the 14th February 1896, aged 1 month. Archibald later resided at 8, Club Row, Coalville. Archibald’s older brother Francis died in Wharnecliffe War Hospital, Sheffield, Yorkshire on the 11th June 1915 from wounds received in action.
Archibald’s Army enlistment documents do not survive, all that is known of his military service is that he enlisted into the Leicestershire Regiment, being allotted the service number 15277, and posted to the 9th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment and with this unit he first entered the theatre of war in France on the 29th July 1915. While serving with “C” Company of this Battalion he was admitted on the 11th July 1916 to the 34th Casualty Clearing Station suffering from a gunshot wound to the right buttock and the following day was transferred on the 9th Ambulance Train to another medical facility. It is known that he was later posted to the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry and was allotted the Regimental No. 94961, and then posted to the 1/4th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers and allotted the Regimental No. 204195, at the time of his death he was serving with the 8th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. He was awarded the 1915 STAR, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
On the 26th February 1918, Archibald’s mother was awarded a weekly Army Pension of eight shillings to commence on the 12th March 1918.
The War Diary records: 16 Jun-17 – Line O.22.c – O.22.a. – Work of consolidation etc. 2 Other ranks killed. 13 Other ranks wounded.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday August 31st, 1917

LOCAL CASUALTIES

Mrs Wesson, of No. 8, Club Row, Coalville, has received news that her son, Private Archie Martin, of the Northumberland Fusiliers, was killed in action on August 17th. The sad information is conveyed in a letter from Pte. A. Sullivan, a comrade of the deceased, who states that while they were on duty as stretcher-bearers, Martin was killed by a shell. He suffered no pain, says the writer, who expressed his sympathy with the bereaved mother. Mrs Wesson had four soldier sons, and Archie is the second to make the supreme sacrifice. He was 26 and formerly worked at the Whitwick Colliery. His father was the late Mr Frank Martin, for many years engine-driver at the South Leicestershire Colliery. The deceased’s brother, Frank, died in June 1915, in hospital at Sheffield, from wounds received in action, and was buried with military honours at Coalville. One of the two other brothers serving is now at home on leave, having been in hospital through being gassed.

Research undertaken and submitted by Andy Murby 14/12/2017