Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Robert Martin, a Midland Railway porter, born 1875 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire and his wife Sarah Jane Martin (nee Kemp, married on the 2nd October 1897 in Melton Mowbray Parish Church), born 1877 in Melton Mowbray. John Henry was born in the 2nd quarter of 1898 in Melton Mowbray, and baptised on the 10th April 1898 in Melton Mowbray Parish Church, in March 1901 the family home was at 21, Thorpe Road, Melton Mowbray. In April 1911 John was a schoolboy and a grocer’s errand boy and was residing in the family home at 9, Saxby Road, Melton Mowbray, together with his father, a blast furnace labourer, his mother and siblings, Lilian, a schoolgirl, born 1904, Robert Joseph, a schoolboy, born 1906 and Arthur Ronald, born 1909, all his siblings were born in Melton Mowbray.
The War Diary records: 15 Apr-18 – On the morning of the 15th the Company attached to the 1st LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT reverted to Command of Officer Commanding this Battalion, and our line was adjusted as follows.
“D” Company in front line S.18.b.8.8 to S.16.d.45.30.
“A” Company in front line from S.18.d.45.30 in 59th Divisional area.
“C” Company Support CRUCIFIX HILL.
“B” Company Reserve at S.12.a.
Battalion Headquarters at S.12.a central.
Arrangements were made that in the event of enemy capturing our front line “C” Company would immediately counter-attack but owing to their casualties during the bombardment which had been continuous since noon this Company became non effective as far as a striking force was concerned and in view of this “B” Company was chosen to make a counter-attack.
The enemy advanced to the attack at 2.30 pm.
About 3.00 pm the enemy had obtained a footing in our front line and a counter-attack was made by the Reserve Company (“B” Company) proving entirely successful, driving the enemy out of our front line. The Company held their ground, and also formed a defensive flank on the right, as the line in that direction had gone and their flank was very much exposed.
However the enemy brought up considerable number of men, reinforced by Heavy Machine Guns, and owing to the troops on our right falling back, this Company was obliged to withdraw.
A line was then formed along railway our left boundary being CLAPHAM ROAD where we were in touch with 1st LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT.
The situation on the right being very obscure. At 10.30 pm orders were received that after midnight the line held by General WYATT’S forces would become the front line, and 71st Infantry Brigade were to evacuate their present position and withdraw to Valley at MOUNT KEMMEL. This was carried out without casualty, the last man leaving the line about 2.30 am on the morning of the 16th.
Upon arrival at MOUNT KEMMEL the Battalion assembled with remainder of Brigade and the Battalion reorganised as far as possible.
At 2.30 am the Battalion received orders that the Brigade being in Divisional Reserve it was to move into positions as follows (these were carried out without casualty).
Half the Battalion dug in on road running due East from LOCRE and East of railway, M.24.d central the other half dug in on road running North West from MOUNT KEMMEL to BRULOOZE M.36.b.5.8 where they remained till about 8.00 am 17th.
On Friday May 10th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – MISSING MELTONIANS. – On Wednesday afternoon the following letter reached Mrs. Martin, 9, Saxby-road, Melton Mowbray: “May 3rd, 1918. Dear Mrs. Martin, - I am writing to you on behalf of the Commanding Officer. I am afraid I can tell you very little about your son. He was reported missing on April 15th, after the regiment had fought very gallantly against fierce attacks. So far we have received no further news of him, though you may be sure you will be informed as soon as anything further comes through. We can only wait and hope that news of his safety will come through later. In the meantime I can assure you, you have my sympathy and prayers because I know what an anxious time it is for you. Yours faithfully, B. D. Wilkins, Chaplain, Norfolk Regt.” Mr. and Mrs. Martin last heard from their son on April 14th, the letter being written on April 10th. Before enlisting in the Leicestershire Territorial’s on Sept. 1st, 1914, he was employed at Messrs. Smith, Faire and Co’s, and he was wounded on April 7th last year, a portion of the calf of his left leg having to be taken away. He remained in England until April 3rd, and on returning to the front was transferred to the Norfolk’s. Pte. Martin came home on six days’ leave the week prior to Easter, but on the Tuesday received a telegram recalling him.