James Martin (Australian soldier)

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James Charles Martin
3 January 1901 - 25 October 1915 (aged 14)

Studio portrait of 1553 Private James Martin
Nickname Jim
Place of birth Tocumwal, New South Wales
Place of death At Sea, off ANZAC Cove
Allegiance First Australian Imperial Force
Rank Private
Battles/wars Gallipoli
Awards 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal

James (Jim) Martin (3 January 1901 - 25 October 1915 (aged 14) is the youngest Australian known to have died in war.

James was born in Tocumwal, New South Wales, the third eldest of six children, into a hard life. The family moved to many different suburbs in and around Melbourne before finally settling in 1915 in Hawthorn. Jim enrolled in Manningtree Road State School from 1910 - 1915.[citation needed] The sole family income was provided by his father, Charles, grocer, handyman and (horse-drawn) cab driver[citation needed]. At the outbreak of World War I, and against the wishes of his family, he enlisted in the army. They finally agreed when he made it clear he would sign on under an assumed name if they did not consent. He gave a false date of birth to the recruiting officer and enlisted on 21 April 1915, leaving behind his 5 sisters and his parents Amelia and Charlie Martin.

He joined the 1st reinforcements of the 21st Battalion, and trained in Broadmeadows and Seymour camps in Victoria before being boarding HMAT Berrima in June 1915 to deploy to Egypt. From there he was sent to Gallipoli on the steamer HMT Southland, where they landed on the 8 September 1915. He contracted enteric fever (typhoid) after a few weeks, was evacuated to the Glenart Castle, a hospital ship, where he shortly died of heart failure. He was buried at sea and his belongings were sent home to Melbourne.

He was one of 20 known Australian soldiers under the age of 18 to die in World War I.

Contents

[edit] Family

James was born to Amelia and Charles Martin. Charles Martin was born Charles Marks, in Auckland, New Zealand to Jewish parents. After emigrating to Australia and settling in Tocumwal, New South Wales he changed his name to Martin to avoid discrimination against Jews. Amelia Martin was born in Bendigo in 1876 to Thomas and Frances Park. Her parents had emigrated to Australia during the gold rush in the 1850s. Amelia was the youngest of twelve children. Amelia married Charles just before her 18th birthday.

[edit] Early Life

James Martin served as a Private in the 1st Reinforcements of the 21st Battalion. His ship en route to Gallipoli was torpedoed by a German submarine off Lemnos Island. He was rescued after spending four hours in the water.[reference from 'Solider Boy' written by Anthony Hill] Private Martin with his battalion was stationed in the trenches near Courtney's Post on the ridge above Monash Valley. He wrote to his family that the Turks were still about 70 yards (64 m) away and asked them not to worry about him as he was doing splendidly.


‘I love God and my country; I honour the flag; I will serve the King, and cheerfully obey my parents, teachers and the laws.’‘

[edit] Role in World War I

James Martin served as a Private in the 1st Reinforcements of the 21st Battalion. His ship en route to Gallipoli was torpedoed by a German submarine off Lemnos Island. He was rescued after spending four hours in the water.[reference from 'Solider Boy' written by Anthony Hill] Private Martin with his battalion was stationed in the trenches near Courtney's Post on the ridge above Monash Valley. He wrote to his family that the Turks were still about 70 yards (64 m) away and asked them not to worry about him as he was doing splendidly.

‘I love God and my country; I honour the flag; I will serve the King, and cheerfully obey my parents, teachers and the laws.’‘

[edit] Death

Private James Martin died at the age of fourteen and nine months as a result of contracting enteric fever (typhoid). He was evacuated on 25 October 1915 to the hospital ship Glenart Castle with the sick and wounded. When he arrived at the hospital ship he was found to be - as was the norm for the conditions - lice-ridden and covered in his own excreta. He was given morphine to ease pain. In his last hours he was cared for by Matron Reddock, who was the last person to see him before his death from heart failure in the evening of 25 October 1915. She later wrote to his family describing his demise. He was buried at sea on 26 October 1915.

Matron Reddock wrote to his parents on Jim's death, returning his possessions to the family: his New Testament, a notebook, an aluminium dog tag with his battalion number, his belt and his pouch with a red and white paper streamer from the Berrima. His good friend and fellow soldier Cecil Hogan also wrote to Amelia. The name of James Martin is recorded on the Australian memorial at Lone Pine and his name can also be found on the Australian War Memorial (in Canberra) roll of honour.

[edit] The Letters

Matron Reddock to Jim’s Mother:

26/10/15 Dear Mrs Martin, Before this reaches you, you will have already heard of your very sad loss in the death of your son. I thought you might like a few lines from me as I was with him for his very short time on this boat. He was brought on board from the shore yesterday at 5p.m. in a very collapsed state. We got him to bed comfortably and did everything possible for him, & he said he was feeling much more comfortable & thanked me so nicely for what had been done for him. He then settled down to get a sleep but died quiet suddenly & quietly of heart failure at 6.40p.m. That was yesterday, 25th October. He will be buried at sea. I found the enclosed amongst his papers. The remainder of his little treasures that were in his pockets I have done up in a little parcel which will be sent through the regimental office, with anything else of his there may have been that did not come with him. I know what a terrible grief it is to you to lose him, but you must I am sure feel very proud of him for so nobly coming forward to fight for his country. Yours in all deep sympathy (Mrs) Fr H.L. Reddock Matron

Private C.J, Hogan to Mrs Martin:

To Mrs Martin Dear Madam I am writing to you on behalf of the old No 10 Tent party to express our great sorrow at you late bereavement. James was in the firing line with us & he took bad but he stuck to his post till the last like the brave lad he was & made the greatest and noblest of sacrifices for his Country. Sergeant Coates of his platoon No 4 speaks very highly of him & says he never had a man in his platoon who paid more attention to his duty. I am Yours Faithfully Cecil Joseph Hogan

Jim Martin to Amelia Martin Milatary Camp Broadmeadows

Dear Mum and Dad Just a line hoping all is well as it leaves me at present. I seen about those photos this evening. He had sent them to the wrong Martin. We got news this evening to say that the camp is going to be sifted to Seamore. But I don't think we will go as we are expecting to go any time now. It is still pretty muddy out here yet. I think I have told you all the news. Hoping all are keeping well. I remain Your fond son J Martin I will be out any time now but I don't know when. Jim.

[edit] Honours and awards

[edit] References

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