Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Arthur Tailby Martin, a hawker, born in the 4th quarter of 1850 in Great Bowden, Leicestershire and his wife Matilda Martin, a hawker, born 1860 in Dullingham, Cambs. Arthur Martin was born in 1889 in Leicester, he had one sibling, Harry, a general labourer, born 1883 in Doncaster, Yorkshire, in March 1901 the family home was at Station Road, Lutterworth, Leicestershire. In April 1911 Arthur was employed as a farm labourer and was residing in the family home at Peacock Yard, Lutterworth, together with his father, a farm labourer, his mother and brother, Harry, a farm labourer.
Arthur’s family background is difficult to locate prior to the March 1901 census, additionally no trace can be found of his true place of birth, though in his Army enlistment he states his place of birth as Leicester. Arthur was also not accorded a CWGC headstone, even though his death after medical discharge was quite clearly related to his period of military service.
Arthur was deemed to be enlisted into H. M. Regular Forces for General Service on an Enrolment Paper on the 15th March 1916 in Leicester, and was allotted the service number 29814. He gave his place of birth as Leicester and age as 26 years 330 days. Marital status as single and his trade or calling as carter.
His medical examination recorded that he was 5 feet 5¼ inches in height, weighed 112 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 32 and 34 inches, his complexion was described as sallow, he had blue eyes and his hair colour was fair. The following distinctive marks were noted, he was blind in his left eye.
He gave his next of kin as his mother, Matilda Martin, Regent Street, Lutterworth, near Leicester.
During his period of military service the following events of note occurred:-
Called up for Service. Pte. 15/3/16.
Joined. On enlistment. 3rd Bn. Lincolnshire Regt. Pte. Service No. 3/24116. 15/3/16.
Posted. Lincolnshire Regt. Grimsby. Pte. 25/3/16.
Transferred. Labour Bn. West Yorkshire Regiment. Pte. Service No. 26396. 10/4/16.
Transferred. 22nd Labour Bn. West Yorkshire Regt. Pte. Service No. 29814. -?-.
Admitted. Tooting Military Hospital. 24/1/17.
Posted. Depot. West Yorkshire Regt. Pte. 24/1/17.
Posted. 3rd Bn. West Yorkshire Regt. Pte. 16/2/17.
Transferred. Class “W” Army Reserve. Under Army Council Orders 339. 1917. Pte. 27/4/17.
Discharged. No longer physically fit for War Service. Kings Regulations Para: 392 (XVIII). Pte. 23/11/17.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 15/3/16 – 10/5/16. 57 days.
France. 11/5/16 – 23/1/17. 258 days.
Home Service. 24/1/17 – 18/5/17. 115 days.
Reserve “W.” 19/5/17 – 23/11/17. 189 days.
Total Service. 1 year 254 days.
He was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Arthur’s Medical Board that convened on the 2nd November 1917, recorded his cause of discharge as being medically unfit due to his being diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis. The origin was unknown. But not as a result of, but aggravated by active service conditions. Exposure. His award of pension was to take effect from the 18th May 1917. On discharge his military character was recorded as good, being a steady, sober, reliable and willing soldier. He died on the 18th January 1918.
Arthur’s surviving service record amounts to a total of fourteen pages and these are in good condition and offer an accurate overall description of events that took place during his period of his military service.