Frank Martin

Frank was the son of Joseph and Charlotte Martin (née Ball). His father Joseph was born in about 1858 at Arnold and his mother Charlotte Ball was born in about 1860 at Thurgarton, Nottinghamshire. They were married at Arnold St Mary in April 1882 and according to the 1911 Census, had 12 children, one of whom died in infancy or childhood. All the children were born in Arnold: Ada b. 1882, Edith b. 1884, Fred b. 1887, Annie b. 1889, James b. 1891 and Charlotte b. 1892 who were all baptised at Arnold St Mary, Fred in August 1888, and Ellen b. 1894, Frank b. 1896, Ernest b. 1898, Alfred b. 1900, Wilfred b. 1901 and Mabel b. 1902. According to the baptismal records, Joseph and Charlotte were living on Front Street, Arnold, between 1883 and 1888 but had moved to Wellington Street by 1890 when James was baptised. They were still living there with their five children Ada, Edith, Fred, Annie and James, when the census was compiled the following year. However, by 1901 Joseph, a coal miner, Charlotte and their 11 children were living on Cross Street, Arnold: Ada and Edith who were both in the hosiery trade, Fred a farm labourer, Annie, James, Charlotte, Ellen, Frank, Ernest and Alfred. The youngest child Mabel was born the following year. In 1911 the family was living at Nottingham Road, Arnold: Joseph and Charlotte and 11 children, Edith a hosiery point seamer, Fred a lace hand, Annie a hosiery hand, James a lace brass bobbin winder, Charlotte a laundry ironer, Ellen a hosiery point seamer, Frank a coal ganger, Ernest of no occupation, and Alfred, Wilfred and Mabel who were of school age. The eldest child, Ada, has not yet been traced on the 1911 census nor on a death registration record. Frank married Daisy Gomme (b. 1895) in 1916 (reg. J/A/S Watford Hertfordshire) and they had one son, Sydney Francis who was born in November 1916. They lived at 90 Estcrust Road, Watford. Frank's mother Charlotte died in September 1939 and his father Joseph in May 1949. Both were buried in Redhill Cemetery, Arnold.

1911 - coal ganger. He was employed at Newstead Colliery

Enlisted Kimberley

2/5th Bn Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment) The 2/5th Bn was a second line Territorial battalion raised in Derby in October 1914. Frank Martin joined the army in 1914. He was married in Watford, Hertfordshire, in 1916, an area the battalion had moved to in August 1915 from Luton where it had been on garrison duty. The battalion served in Ireland in 1916 during the Irish rebellion. Frank was wounded but recovered and then went with the battalion to France when it was mobilised in February 1917. He was reported missing in action at Noreuil-Ervillers, France, on 21 March 1918. However, he had been taken prisoner by the Germans but while in captivity behind the German lines was killed by concussion from an exploding shell. Frank has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France (Bay 7).

Frank's brother Fred served in the 1st Bn King's Own Yorkshire Light Regiment (21539 Lance Corporal) and was killed in action on 4 November 1918. He is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial. (See record on this Roll of Honour) Following Frank's death, his widow Daisy was awarded a pension of 22 shillings and 11 pence a week with effect from 25 November 1918.