Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Frederick Martin a Colliery Engine Driver, born 1874 in Coleorton, Leicestershire and his wife Mary L., born 1874 in Ravenstone, Leicestershire. John was born in 1896 in Coleorton, Leicestershire, his siblings were George, born 1899 in Coleorton, Leicestershire, Frederick, born 1901 in Ravenstone, Leicestershire, Mabel Ellen, Born 1905 in Ravenstone, Leicestershire and Fanny May, born 1908 in Heather, Leicestershire. In March 1901 the family home was at Swannington Road, Ravenstone, Leicestershire being situated in the Ecclesiastical Parish of Ravenstone St. Michael's. In April 1911 John was employed as a Farm Labourer and was living in the family home with his father Frederick Martin and his recently married wife Lois, who was born in 1869 in Tugby, Leicestershire and her son Frederick William Arnold, born 1893 in Desford, Leicestershire, together with his siblings they were residing at Ravenstone Road, Heather, Leicestershire.The Medal Index Card records that John entered the theatre of war in France on the 9th December 1915. he was awarded the 1915 Star, roll, 7/9 B5, page 353 and also the British and Victory Medals, roll 7/102 B8, page 865. The War Diary records that on the 13th March the Battalion relieved 2nd Bn. Sherwood Foresters in the right sector at Wieltje. The entry for the 16th March recorded that some shelling of B 10 and B 9 from 9.00am by 5.9 Howitzers from north (thus enfilading the left of B 10).
Very intensive bombardment by same 5.9 Howitzer Battery, 2 Batteries 4.2. Howitzers and at least 2 Batteries of Field Guns. B 10 very badly damaged, the northern 100 yards of trench being completely destroyed, luckily it was only held weakly. Casualties 8 killed, 30 wounded. Enemy continued to shell St. Jean – Wieltje and all night up to about 3.00am. Very great difficulty was experienced in moving the wounded. Large working parties were sent up to B 10 to repair damage.—1 platoon from S 8 A, 40 Suffolk’s, 20 Sherwood’s ---. Wieltje heavily shelled at intervals throughout night 16/3/16. A dummy soldier was put out near Argyle Farm by Capt. Smith RN. and Lt Brownsworth (Bomb Officer) a torpedo was attached but no German patrols came near it. 6 standing patrols were put out in front of B 9 & B 10 during the whole night in case enemy attempted a minor enterprise.