Leslie Henry Martin

Birth registration and baptism records: Henry Leslie Leslie was the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Martin (nee Woodcock). Thomas was born in Newark in 1861, the son of William and Sarah Martin. He was baptised on 6 February 1862 at Christ Church, Newark; his parents lived on Mill Gate. In 1871 William, a tanner, his wife and their two children, Thomas (8) and Emma (2), were still living on Mill Gate. However, by 1871 Thomas (20) was probably at Farndon, near Newark, working as a groom (domestic) for William Brockton (43) a farmer of 200 acres, who employed ten men and one boy. Elizabeth, the daughter of William and Elizabeth Woodcock, was born in Farnsfield, Nottinghamshire, in 1860 (J/A/S Southwell) and baptised on 18 November 1860 at St Michael's church, Farnsfield. Thomas and Elizabeth were married in 1891 at Newark (J/F/M Newark) and had four children who were all born in Elston: Gertrude Elizabeth b. 1891 (J/A/S Southwell) bap. 6 September 1891 Elston All Saints, William Thomas b. 1893 (A/M/J Southwell) bap. 2 April 1893 Newark St Mary Magdalene, Henry Leslie (k/a Leslie) b. 6 May 1898 (A/M/J Nottingham) bap. 19 June 1898 Elston All Saints, and Winifred Maud b. 1902 (J/A/S Southwell). In 1891 Thomas (29) and Elizabeth (30) were butler and cook respectively in the household of Ellen Freeth (80), a widow living on her own means, at Mill Lane, North Clifton, Newark. Ellen also employed a housemaid. By 1901 Thomas and Elizabeth were living at the Post Office, Bottom Street, Elston, with their three children, Gertude (9), William (8) and Leslie (2). Thomas was working as a coal merchant on his own account. The family was still living in Elston in 1911. Thomas (49) was a coal merchant and carrier (own account), Gertrude (19) was helping her mother, Elizabeth (50), at home, William (18) was a domestic gardener, while Leslie (12) and Winifred (8) were at school. Gertrude was probably married to James W Monks in 1917 (A/M/J Southwell) and Winifred to Joseph W Davison in 1926 (O/N/D Southwell). Thomas snr. died on 2 November 1930 (O/N/D Southwell) aged 68; his widow Elizabeth may have died in 1948 (J/F/M East Retford).

Leslie was employed by Messers Herston and Son of Stodman Street Newark where he was learning the organ building trade.

Leslie enlisted on 17th December 1916 serving with the Royal Army Service Corps before transferring to the South Wales Borderers. He landed in France on his 19th birthday, 6th May 1917. He was wounded in France on 21st September 1917 when he was struck by shrapnel in the head. He was treated at a base hospital but then evacuated to England and admitted to a hospital at Whalley near Blackburn. His parents visited him and his mother remained with him until he died on 14th October 1917. His body was returned to his home and he was buried in All Saints churchyard, Elston, on 19 October.

All information and photos supplied courtesy of Richard Hallam Inscription on headstone: In ever loving memory of Leslie H Martin the beloved son of Thomas and Elizabeth Martin who died of wounds received in France (-) 1917 aged 19 (remainder illegible on photograph)' The Newark Herald, Saturday October 20, 1917: ‘Our Honoured Dead. Pte. Leslie Martin, Elston. It is with much regret that we chronicle the fact that Pte. Leslie Martin, second son of Mr and Mrs T Martin of Elston, has laid down his life for King and Country. He was wounded in France on September 21st, being struck in the had by shrapnel, which chipped the bone and entered into the base of his brain. He was carefully treated at a base hospital, and was afterwards conveyed to England, arriving about a fortnight ago, when he entered a hospital at Whalley, near Blackburn. Mr and Mrs Martin visited him there, and the latter remained until he passed away on Tuesday. Much sympathy is felt with his parents and the family in their sad loss. Mr Martin is at the present time the Prov. Grand Master of the Newark District of the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows, and votes of condolence have or will be passed to him by the various Lodges. Pte. Martin who was 19 years of age on the day he landed in France, May 6th, was a native of Elston, and was afterwards with Messrs. Herston and Son, Stodman Street, learning the organ building trade, being with that firm until he enlisted on December 17th, last year, when he joined the Motor Transport Corps, and on arriving in France, he was attached to the South Wales Borderers. The mortal remains were brought home on Thursday, and the funeral took place in Elston Churchyard yesterday, when the Rev. CH Whitfield officiated, and the chief mourners consisted of his parents, other members of the family, friends, and many of the parishioners. There were numerous floral tributes.' Registers of Soldiers' Effects: His mother, Elizabeth, was his sole legatee. Probate: Martin Thomas of Elston Nottinghamshire died 2 November 1930 Probate Nottingham 29 January [1931] to Elizabeth Martin widow. Effects £269 4s. 5d.