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). Francis Frederick (Frank), a schoolboy, was born in the July quarter of 1886 in Coleorton and was baptised on the 25th December 1886 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, Annie, born in the April quarter of 1889 and baptised on the 21st April 1889 in the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Coleorton and Archibald, born in the April quarter of 1891 and baptised on the 26th March 1891 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 Francis was employed as a blacksmiths striker and was residing in the family home at Belvoir Road, Coalville, together with his father, a colliery engine driver, his mother and siblings, Alice, Annie, Archibald, 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. Francis’s father died in the April quarter of 1908 in Coalville, aged 52. In April 1911 Francis 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 Archibald, a coal miner, hewer, Elizabeth, Harry, a wagon works labourer, James, Hilda and Albert Edward, born on the 7th May 1902 in Coalville. Francis’s widowed mother married William F. Wesson in the April quarter of 1912 in the Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire district. On the 6th April 1912 Francis married Sarah Edwards in the Registry Office, Ashby de la Zouch, Sarah was born on the 21st October 1889, they had two children, Frank William, born on the 20th January 1913 and baptised on the 2nd March 1913 in Christ Church, Coalville and James, born on the 19th July 1914 and baptised on the 20th July 1914 in Christ Church, Coalville, both children were born in Coalville, James died, aged 1 day, in July 1914 and was interred in Coalville cemetery on the 22nd July. Francis’s widow married Isaac Wardle on the 23rd December 1916 in the Registry Office, Ashby de la Zouch. Francis 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. Francis’s brother Archibald fell in action on the 16th June 1917.
Francis left school and took up employment as a coal miner for a short time before enlisting in the Leicestershire Regiment for eight years as a regular soldier spending a number of years of his service in India. After demobilization he returned to work as a miner at Whitwick Colliery, and shortly after this he married his fiancée. Upon the outbreak of war Francis was recalled to the colours as a reservist and entrained for Southampton on the 7th September 1914. He was badly wounded close to Armentieres and hospitalised in Boulogne Hospital before being moved to Sheffield Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds. He was buried in London Road Cemetery, Coalville with full military honours.
Francis enlisted/attested into the Regular Army on the 29th December 1902 in Leicester, and was allotted the service number 6613. He gave his place of birth as Coleorton, Ashby, Leicestershire and age as 18 years 4 months. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as collier.
His medical examination took place in Leicester on the 29th December 1902 and recorded his apparent age as 18 years 4 months, that he was 5 feet 7¾ inches in height, weighed 127 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 33 and 35 inches, his complexion was described as pale, he had blue eyes and his hair colour was dark brown, his physical development was described as good.
He gave his next of kin as his father Frank Martin, mother Jane Martin, Victoria Street, Coalville, Leicestershire. Brothers 4, (younger) Archie, Harry, William, Albert. Sisters 5, Alice, Ellen, Annie, Lizzie, Lucy.
During his period of military service the following events of note occurred:-
Joined. at Leicester. 29/12/02.
Posted. Leicestershire Regt. Depot. Pte. 29/12/02.
Transferred. To 2nd Bn. Leicestershire Regt. 7/4/03.
Granted. Messing Allowance. 29/8/03.
Awaiting Trial. 9/8/04.
Tried. By District Court Martial and convicted of “Breaking out of Barracks.” Sentenced to 28 days imprisonment with hard labour. 15/8/04.
Transferred. To 1st Bn. Leicestershire Regt. 1/10/04.
Awarded 3rd Class Certificate of Education. 12/8/05
Transferred. To Army Reserve. 21/2/06.
Mobilised. At Leicester. 5/8/14.
Posted. To 1st Bn. Leicestershire Regt. 20/9/14.
Posted. 14/11/14.
Wounded in action. In the Field. 10/5/15.
Admitted. To 16th Field Ambulance. In the Field. 12/5/15.
Admitted. To 8th Casualty Clearing Station. In the Field. 13/5/15.
Admitted. To 4th General Hospital. 21/5/15.
Transferred. To England. 28/5/15.
Died in Wharnecliffe War Hospital, Sheffield of wounds received in action on 11/6/15.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 29/12/02 – 30/9/04. 1 year 276 days.
India. 1/10/04 – 19/2/06. 1 year 142 days.
Home Service. 20/2/06 – 13/11/14. 8 years 267 days.
Expeditionary Force, France. 14/11/14 – 29/5/15. 197 days.
Home Service. 30/5/15 – 11/6/15. 13 days.
Total Service. 12 years 106 days.
He was awarded the 1914 Star with Clasp & Rose, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Francis’s surviving service record amounts to a total of nineteen pages, of which only six pages relate directly to his military service, and these are in very poor condition, the hand written information in some cases is barely legible, damaged or missing entirely, however the content does offer at least a little descriptive insight into some of the events that took place during his period of service.
On the 30th November 1915, Francis’s widow Sarah was awarded a weekly Army Pension of fifteen shillings for herself and her son, this was to commence on the 13th December 1915.
The War Diary records: 9 May-15 - (Sunday) 2 officers and 11 men wounded mostly by trench mortars.
The War Diary records: 10 May-15 - (Monday) Quiet all day.
On Monday June 14th 1915 The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – Pte. Francis Frederick Martin, No. 6613, aged 28, of the 1st Leicester’s, died at a General Hospital at Sheffield on Friday night from wounds inflicted by a bursting shell whilst in action with his battalion. The deceased was a reservist, and would have terminated his army engagement in December last. He lived in Club Row, Coalville, which locality has sent many men. He was born at Coleorton, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, and worked at Whitwick Colliery before being called up for the war. He leaves a widow and a two year old son. Three years of his Army engagement were spent in India. Three of the deceased’s brothers are serving in the Forces – two in the Territorial’s (who left Coalville recently for Loughborough) and one in Kitchener’s Army.
On Wednesday, October 20th, 1915 The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – FRIENDS AT THE FRONT. – Private W. Hughes, of the 1st Leicester’s, writing to Mrs. Martin, of 36, Victoria-street, Coalville, respecting the death of her husband, Private Francis Frederick Martin, of the 1st Leicester’s, who died in a Sheffield hospital on 11th June last, from wounds received in action, says Martin was a great friend of his, and he was sorry to hear of his death. He assures Mrs. Martin that it was a big shock to those who knew him, as he was highly respected by all the officers and men of the company. He was always a good worker, and a cleaner soldier he (Hughes) never saw, Martin used to make them all happy, as he would sing from morning to night. Martin and the writer went to the Front at the same time, and they were always together. They were in the same section. Hughes has sent Mrs. Martin her husband’s cap badge. Hughes concludes by wishing Mrs Martin and her little son the best of luck in their great struggle though life. Mrs. Martin does not know Private Hughes, and expresses her gratitude to him for his letter.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday June 18th, 1915

All save two of the soldiers who formed the firing party at Pte. Martin’s funeral at Coalville on Tuesday had been wounded at the front or, in their own words, “had stopped a bullet.” One of the men had had the remarkable experience of a bullet passing through his mouth. There were the marks on his cheeks showing where the bullet went in on one side and out at the other, his jaw bone just being missed. Another man had lost the sight of one eye.

Coalville Times article - Friday June 18th, 1915

MILITARY FUNERAL AT COALVILLE

SOLDIER’S DEATH FROM WOUNDS IN ACTION

The death occurred in Sheffield Infirmary on Friday last, of Pte. Francis Frederick Martin, of the 1st Leicesters, from wounds received in action from a bursting shell. He lay in hospital for several days at Boulogne before being moved to England and just before he died his widowed mother, Mrs Martin, of Club Row, Coalville, was with him.

Deceased was a son of the late Mr F. Martin who was formerly an engine-driver at South Leicestershire Colliery. He was 28 years of age and was born at Coleorton, but before the war was working at the Whitwick Colliery and residing in Victoria Road, Coalville, with his wife and two year old boy. He had served in the regulars and would have completed his term as a reservist in December last. He was called up on August 5th. Three of his brothers are serving in the army, two in the Territorials and one in Kitchener’s.

The body was removed to Coalville from Sheffield on Saturday, and Capt. Stevenson, the local recruiting officer, made arrangements for the funeral to take place with military honours. It was the first such burial in Coalville since the outbreak of war and was witnessed by thousands of people.

A firing party came over from Wigston barracks and they marched at the head of the procession with rifles reversed. Following them were Capt. Stevenson, the Rev. E. Davis (curate of Hugglescote), Mr Edmund Holmes, (a neighbour) Mr W. Kinsey (manager of Coalville Liberal Club), Messrs. B. Wileman, W. Swift, D. Knifton and W. Maddocks (from the Coalville Working Men’s Club), Messrs. G. H. Storer and G. Thomas (from the Wigston Hospital Oddfellows Lodge), the members of the Coalville Citizen Corps and others.

The body has been taken to the house of Mrs Edwards, in Hermitage Road, and from there to Cemetery, the Coalville Coronation Band, under Mr A. Clarke, played the Dead March. The route was thickly lined with people all the way. The service was conducted by the Rev. F. Pickbourne, the first portion being in the Baptist Chapel.

There were six coaches for the mourners, the chief of whom were the young widow and mother of the deceased and his three brothers all wearing khaki. Six men, also in khaki acted as bearers. The coffin was covered with the Union Jack. On the breast plate was the inscription: “Private Frank Martin, No. 6613, 1st Leicestershires, died June 11th, 1915, aged 28 years.”

The service in the cemetery having been concluded, the soldiers fired three volleys over the grave and then with bayonets fixed stood at attention while a couple of buglers sounded the “Last Post.”

There was a splendid lot of floral tributes, including a harp from his sorrowing wife and little son Frank, and wreaths etc., from his mother and sister Nellie, Mr and Mrs Edwards and family, Bruce (brother-in-law), Mr and Mrs Darby and family, Brother Archie, Mrs Scar (Whitwick), little Joey Straw, seven soldiers’ wives and friends, “His duty done, the cross now won,” Lance-Corpl. J. Balding, Mr and Mrs F. Stanyard (Whitwick), (Committee of the Coalville Liberal Club, a handsome floral design in the national colours), an old friend and his wife Mr and Mrs C. Brown, Alice and Lizzie, Harry and Josiah, sister Lucy and three beautiful artificial wreaths under glass globes, one from friends and neighbours, another from the Coalville Working Men’s Club and the other from a few friends.

The flowers were conveyed in a pony carriage sent by Mrs Butler, of the Fox and Goose Hotel. Before the soldiers and band were dismissed they lined up in High Street and were thanked by Capt. Stevenson for their attendance, the pony being led in the procession by Mr Ben Hall.

Coalville Times article - Friday June 25th, 1915

In our report last week of the death of Pte. Frank Martin, of Coalville, we should have stated that his wife was with him in the Sheffield hospital when he passed away, having been there for a week.

A pretty incident took place on Saturday morning, when a number of Belgian refugees staying at Broom Leys visited the Coalville Recruiting Office and requested Capt. Stevenson to accompany them to the Coalville Cemetery where they desired to place a floral tribute on the grave of Pte. Frank Martin, buried with military honours last week, having died from wounds received in action. The Belgians numbered 16 in all, their names being, Fernard Cheruy, Alphonso Noudts, Frederno Coreman, Augusto Marchel, Alexandre Bernard, Jules Derume, Louis Cavier, Saul Van Nerom, Pierre Franckx, Francis Van Maddern, Pierre Fransart, Cornielle Gillis and Felix Bottn. They were accomplished to the Cemetery by Capt. Stevenson, Col-Sergt. Dye, the Rev. G. A. Davis (Hugglescote) and Mr W. Baldwin, and it was an impressive scene as they reverently placed on the grave a large floral cross in their own composition with a card attached bearing these words: “A small tribute from wounded Belgians to a comrade who fell in their cause.”

Coalville Times article - Friday June 25th, 1915

Mrs Martin, wife of the late Pte. Frank Martin, who died from wounds received in action, desires through this medium to tender her sincere thanks for the many tokens of sympathy received and kindness shown to her in her great bereavement.

Coalville, June 23rd, 1915.

The mother and family of the late Private Frank Martin, who was killed in action, wish to thank all friends for their kindness and sympathy shown them in their sad bereavement.

Coalville Times article - Friday October 22nd, 1915

Coalville Soldier's Friend - Touching letter to the Widow

Private W. Hughes, of the 1st Leicesters, writing to Mrs Martin, of 35, Victoria Street, Coalville, respecting the death of her husband, Private Francis Frederick Martin, of the 1st Leicesters, who died in a Sheffield hospital on 11th June last, from wounds received in action, says Martin was a great friend of his, and he was sorry to hear of his death. He assures Mrs Martin that it was a big shock to those who knew him, as he was highly respected by all the officers and men of the company. He was always a good worker, and a cleaner soldier he (Hughes) never saw. Martin used to make them all happy, as he would ding from morning till night. Martin and the writer went to the front at the same time, and they were always together. They were in the same section. Hughes has sent Mrs Martin her husband’s cap badge.

Hughes concludes by wishing Mrs Martin and her little son the best of luck in their great struggle through life. Mrs Martin does not know Pte. Hughes, and expresses her gratitude to him for his letter.

Coalville Times article - Friday November 10th, 1916

MEMORIAL SERVICE

On Sunday evening an impressive service was held in the Coalville London Road Baptist Church in memory of thirteen former scholars of the Sunday School who have fallen in action. Their names are, Lieut. Ford, Lieut. T. Dooley, D.C.M., Sergeant Alfred Wesson, Sergeant G. H. Wesson, Privates C. W. Jewsbury, H. G. Wharmby, Clifford Scott, T. Black, E. S. Boot, F. Martin, Jos. Wardle, James Wardle and J. Martin.

There was a large congregation which included the members of the Coalville Volunteer Training Corps, under the command of Commandant J. S. Turner. The pastor, the Rev. F. Pickbourne, conducted the service and gave an appropriate address. The choir rendered Sullivan’s “Homeland” and Mr J. H. Starkey (organist) played a funeral march by Beethoven. Suitable hymns were also sung by the congregation.

Research undertaken and submitted (including photograph from the Coalville Times) by Andy Murby 09/09/2017