Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of George Martin, a stone quarry blaster, born 1860 in Enderby, Leicestershire and his wife Emma Martin (nee Burgess, married in the 3rd quarter of 1877 in the Blaby, Leicestershire district), born 1858 in Enderby. Ernest was born in the 2nd quarter of 1896 in Enderby, his siblings were, Lizzie, a Griswold stocking frame knitter, born 1878, Robert Henry, a boot trade machinist, born 1883. Elsie, a Griswold stocking frame knitter, born 23rd December 1887, Arthur, born 1890, Gertrude, born 22nd December 1890, Harold, born 5th November 1892 and Fred, born 1st quarter of 1895, all his siblings were born in Enderby, in March 1901 the family home was in King Street, Enderby. In April 1911 Ernest was employed as a newsboy and was residing in the family home in King Street, Enderby, together with his father, a stone quarry sett maker, his mother and siblings, Elsie, a hosiery trade worker, Gertrude, a hosiery trade worker, Harold, a carpenter’s apprentice and Fred, a stone quarry sett maker. His older brother Fred was also wounded in action on the same day.
Ernest enlisted into the Regular Army on the 14th February 1916 in Leicester, and was allocated the service number 23597. He gave his place of birth as Enderby, Leicestershire and age as 19 years and 9 months. Marital status as unmarried and his trade or calling as Sett maker.
His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 3 inches in height, weighed 124 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 34½ and 37 inches, his complexion was described as fresh, hair colour was brown and he had grey eyes, his physical development was described as good, he had the following distinctive marks, a mole on both breasts and one on his right shoulder blade he gave his religion as Congregational.
He gave his next of kin as his father, George Martin, King Street, Enderby, Leicestershire.
During his period of military service the following events of note occurred:-
Joined. Depot. Leicestershire Regiment. Private. 14/2/16.
Posted. 11th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment (Pioneers). Private. 14/2/16.
Posted. 12th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment. 18/3/16.
Embarked. To join British Expeditionary Force in France. 27/7/16.
Disembarked. Joined 12th Infantry Brigade Depot, France. 28/7/16.
Posted. 9th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment 28/8/16.
Joined. 9th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment. In the Field. 29/8/16.
Wounded in Action. In the Field. 25/9/16.
Admitted. 12th General Hospital, Rouen. Gunshot wound to left shoulder and neck.
Transferred. To England aboard S.S. Western Australia. 11/10/16.
Posted. Depot. Leicestershire Regiment. 12/10/16.
Discharged. Lord Derby War Hospital, Warrington. No longer physically fit for War Service under King’s Regulations 392 (XVI). His Military character was described as Very Good. The Character awarded in accordance with King’s Regulations was as follows:- Man honest and reliable, discharged through wounds received in action. 3/3/17.
Awarded Silver War Badge No.27989.
Summary of Service:
Home Service. 14/2/16 to 26/7/16. 163 days.
British Expeditionary Force, France. 27/7/16 to 11/10/16. 77 days.
Home Service. 12/10/16 to 3/3/17. 143 days.
Total Service: 1 year 18 days.
He was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Ernest’s surviving service record amounts to a total of ten pages, and these are in good condition and offer an accurate overall description of events that took place during his period of his period of military service.
The War Diary records: 25 Sep-16 - The morning was spent in making final preparations for attack. Enemy shelling not heavy and a few casualties were sustained. At 12.35pm waves were formed up in front of trenches. At 12.37pm the advance commenced, “C” and “D” Companies in extended order, “A” and “B” Companies in artillery formation, enemy immediately commenced an extremely intense and deep barrage. At 12.45pm the first two platoons of “D” Company reached GIRD TRENCH, but sustained heavy casualties. All the Company officers becoming casualties, 2nd Lieutenant A. E. PETER, 2nd Lieutenant W. S. GILBERT, Company Sergeant Major POTTERTON were all killed, 2nd Lieutenant CLARK was wounded. The remnants of the first 2 waves of “C” Company reached GIRD TRENCH, but owing to machine gun fire from the right, and the Brigade on the right, having failed to take GIRD TRENCH, the party were all killed or wounded. 2nd Lieutenant RENNIE was killed in GIRD TRENCH, Lieutenant HENWOOD was wounded. Captain WEBB wheeled the 3rd and 4th waves of “C” Company and formed a defensive flank down SUNKEN ROAD facing right. At 1.00pm Captain WEBB was wounded and Company Sergeant Major RHODES was killed. “C” Company suffered extremely heavy casualties from machine gun fire. “A” and “B” Companies advanced and established themselves in NEW TRENCH, BULL TRENCH and PATROL TRENCH and shell holes in the rear. Battalion Headquarters advanced from LEWIS TRENCH to PATROL TRENCH. At 1.37pm Captain ALLBERRY led “A” Company forward but was immediately killed by machine gun fire from the right flank. Lieutenant HARDY, 2nd Lieutenant LEWIS, Company Sergeant Major RICE and many of Company becoming casualties through the same cause. Lieutenant Colonel HAIG was wounded in the arm in PATROL TRENCH. At 1.37pm Battalion Headquarters advanced to BULL TRENCH. At 2.00pm the remainder of Battalion Headquarters viz: Lieutenant Colonel HAIG, Captain POPHAM (8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT), Lieutenant TOOTH and 3 orderlies advanced to NEW TRENCH. Captain POPHAM and the 3 orderlies were wounded. At 2.35pm the advance hung up on account of machine gun fire and rifle fire. Enemy still occupying GIRD TRENCH on right of SUNKEN ROAD. Lieutenant Colonel HAIG and Lieutenant TOOTH advanced to NEW TRENCH and finding it empty, crossed over to GOAT TRENCH. Only dead and wounded men were found in GOAT TRENCH, accordingly Lieutenant Colonel HAIG and Lieutenant TOOTH in anticipation that the front two Companies had reached GIRD TRENCH, again advanced to PILGRIMS WAY where 40 other ranks of the 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT were found without any officer. Lieutenant Colonel HAIG decided to remain and hold on with the 40 other ranks until reinforcements arrived to clear GIRD TRENCH on right. At 3.00pm connection with 55th Division in GIRD TRENCH on the left of PILGRIMS WAY was established. A bombing group of 8th and 9th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT was organised and bombed down GIRD TRENCH on the right of PILGRIMS WAY for 50 or 60 yards. Many of the enemy were killed and 12 were taken prisoner. Owing to the lack of bombs, a block was established, and a Lewis gun posted near the block. Lieutenant Colonel HAIG sent numerous reports on the situation to Brigade Headquarters, only two of which reached Brigade, the orderlies being either killed or wounded. Heavy shelling all the time. At 8.00pm connection with Brigade was established through 2nd Lieutenant KELLY. During the night the ROYAL ENGINEERS constructed a strong point at N.32.a.1.9. The night was spent digging in and consolidating position. The enemy seemed to be working round behind PILGRIMS WAY, but did not attack. From zero (12.35pm) to 5.30pm, the enemy kept up a heavy and very deep barrage becoming intense at times.
On Monday January 29th 1917 The Leicester Mercury published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL CASUALTIES” – Pte. Fred Martin has died of wounds received in action on September 25th. He was in the Leicester Regt., as was his brother, Pte. Ernest Martin, who was severely wounded in the same engagement, and is now in hospital in England. The deceased soldier was employed by the Enderby and Stoney Stanton Granite Co. as a sett maker. His parents Mr and Mrs Geo. Martin live in King Street, Enderby.
On Tuesday 3rd December 1918 The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “COUNTY NEWS.” - ENDERBY – Three Somme Heroes Pass Away. – Last week was a particularly sad one for Enderby, two families having suffered the loss of loved ones under distressing circumstances. Mr. Geo. Martin, of King-street, lost his son, Pte. Ernest Martin, Leicester Regiment, who was wounded at the Battle of Guadecourt in September, 1916, and whose brother Fred, died of wounds received in the same battle, and on Saturday morning his wife, who was too ill to see her son in the last days of his illness, passed away, both being victims of pneumonia, a married sister also being seriously ill with the same disease. Privates Herbert Barsby and John Barsby, late of the Leicester Regiment, both of whom were wounded in the same battle, died within two days of each other, the former of pneumonia, and the latter of diabetes, In this case also the mother and elder sister were ill, and their father died only nine months ago. All three were employees of the Enderby and Stoney Stanton Granite Company, and wreaths were sent by their fellow workers, and also from the Soldiers’ and Sailors Association. Private Martin was buried in the Chapel Cemetery, and the brothers Barsby were laid to rest on Saturday afternoon in the church cemetery, the Rev. R. P. Farrow, M.A., vicar, officiating.