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. Fred was born in the 1st quarter of 1895 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 Ernest born in the 2nd quarter of 1896, all his siblings were born in Enderby, in March 1901 the family home was in King Street, Enderby. In April 1911 Fred was employed as a stone quarry sett maker 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 Ernest a newsboy. Fred suffered wounds in the same action as his younger brother Ernest, Fred died in the 36th Casualty Clearing Station, France on the 29th September 1916, he was awarded the British War and Victory medals.
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 Monday February 12th 1917 The Leicester Mercury published the following article under the heading. “ROLL OF HONOUR” – (A photograph accompanied the article). Pte. Fred Martin, Leicester’s, died of wounds received in action of Sept. 25th. He was formerly employed by Enderby and Stoney Stanton Granite Co. Parents reside in King Street, Enderby.