Francis James Martin was born in Liverpool on 22nd June 1879, the son of Bernard Martin and his wife Bridget (née O’Brien) both born in Carlow, Ireland. They were married circa 1876 but no marriage record has been found. He was baptised Franciscus Jacobus in St. Anne’s Church on 30th July 1879, his parents living at 24 Oliver Street.
Francis was one of seven children. He had older siblings Thomas, born in 1875, Margaret 1878, and younger siblings William, born in 1883, Bernard 1886, Hannah 1888, and Ernest 1891 (who died at age 9).
The family moved frequently but remained in Oliver Street: 1883 at #70, 1886 at #46, 1888 at #48
1891 at 48 Oliver Street, with six children, His father's occupation is shown as a bricklayer’s labourer, his mother is listed as being born in St. Helens, Lancashire, Francis is 11.
On 8th December 1897 Francis enlisted in Liverpool in the King’s Royal Rifle Corps, as Pte. 558, giving his age as 18 years and 4 months and his occupation as labourer. He is described as being 5’ 3 and 5/8 inches tall, weighing 115 lbs, with a fresh complexion, grey eyes, and brown hair. He gives his next of kin as his parents, at 48 Oliver Street. His service record shows that Francis served -
8/12/1897 - 3/11/1899 Home
4/11/1899 - 28/7/1900 South Africa
29/7/1900 - 7/1/1901 Ceylon
8/1/1901 - 27/11/1905 India
28/11/1905 - 7/12/1909 Home
During his time in South Africa Francis earned decorations, including the 1899-1900 campaign, the Relief of Ladysmith, and campaigns in Transvaal and Cape Colony.
In 1904 he extended service to complete eight years with the colours. He was transferred to the Army Reserve on 7/12/1905 and discharged on 7/12/1909 having completed his 12 year period of service.
By 1911 Francis is living with his parents and brother William at 52 Oliver Street. His father 62, is a bricklayer’s labourer, his mother is 54, Francis is 32, single, a driver for the L.N.W.R. (London and North West Railway Co.), William is 27, a bricklayer’s labourer.
Francis would have been recalled as soon as war broke out, as an ex-professional soldier. He enlisted in Liverpool as Private 29105, 18th Bn, King’s (Liverpool) Regiment. At some point, before September 1917, Francis was transferred to 8th Bn, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers as Sgt. 41255, then transferred to 6th Bn R.I.F.
His name appeared on the list of Wounded published in the Liverpool Daily Post on 22nd September 1917: Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers - Martin, 41255, Sgt. F.J.
(The 6th Bn landed at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli in August 1915, but moved to Salonika in September, from Salonika to Egypt in September 1917 to prepare for the Palestine campaign, and to France in May 1918, disembarking at Marseilles on 1st June 918. The 8th Bn landed in France in February 1916.)
Francis died of gunshot wounds on the 05th October 1918. According to the War Diary, the only action the 8th Bn saw after June 1918 was an attack near Bony on 3rd October 1918.
Casualties, Officers - 4 Killed, 7 Wounded, O.R. - 30 Killed, 186 Wounded, 18 Missing.
This occurred 22 km from where he is buried in Doingt Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme.
Doingt was captured by the 5th Australian Division on 5 September 1918, and the village was completely destroyed in the fighting. In the same month, the 20th, 41st and 55th Casualty Clearing Stations arrived, remaining until October, when the cemetery was closed. It was made in three plots; Plot I contained only Commonwealth graves, Plot II only American, and Plot III the graves of both armies. The American graves were later removed by the American Graves Registration Services.
Doingt Communal Cemetery Extension contains 417 Commonwealth burials of the First World War, 1 being unidentified, and two burials from the Second World War.
The extension was designed by Sir Herbert Baker.
His death was reported in the Liverpool Weekly Courier on Saturday 02 November 1918;
RECORD OF FOUR BROTHERS.
Sergt. F. Martin, of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, and late of the Liverpool Pals, who has just been killed in action, was one of four brothers who served both in the South African war and in the present war. He was home wounded a few months ago and went back, being in the recent push on the Hindenburg reserve line where he was shot in the head and legs, dying two days later. His company Captain, C. Barton, says that he was a good soldier and was liked by all his men - an N.C.O. who will be hard to replace. Before joining up in 1915 he was employed at the goods department, L. and N.W.R., Edge Hill. His parents reside at 52 Oliver Street, Edge Hill, and one of his brothers, who was discharged through wounds, is the well-known comedian Jack Shields.
His mother received a War Gratuity of £22-10s. She died in 1929.
His father, Bernard, died aged 81, in 1921 and was buried on the 27th May at Yew Tree Cemetery, West Derby.
On the 1921 Census at Oliver Street his widowed mother, Bridget, is aged 67, born Bagenalstown, Carlow, and is living with son William aged 38.
His mother died, aged 75, in 1929 and was buried on the 30th June also at Yew Tree Cemetery, West Derby.
Francis is commemorated on the following memorials
Ireland’s National Roll of Honour
St. Anne’s Edge Hill
St. Peter and St. Paul Church, Liverpool.
We currently have no further information on Francis James Martin. If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.
