Name

Martin Joseph

Description

In Memory of Company Sergeant Major Joseph Martin

Life Story

Name: Joseph Martin.

Service Number: 16835.

Rank: Company Sergeant Major.

Battalion: 9th Battalion.

Regiment: Royal Irish Rifles.

Born: 25th September 1879, Belfast.

Died: 1st July 1916.

Address: 3 Parkview Terrace, Belfast

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Ulster Volunteer Joseph Martin, son of Joseph and Mary Martin, lived with his wife Eliza Jane and son Joseph at 3 Park View Terrace, Woodvale Road, Greater Shankill, Belfast

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Joseph Martin had married Elizabeth Jane Martin, Nee Murray within St Marys Church Belfast on the 23 December 1908

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The 1911 Ireland Census has Joseph living at 87 Bray Street, Shankill, Belfast with his wife Elizabeth and son William Murray. Joseph's occupation at this time is given as Power Loom Tenter

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Elizabeth had given birth to their son William Murray on the 29th of September 1910, however William sadly died in a accident on 1st of September 1912, 28 days short of his second birthday. The child had been playing in a neighbour's house and while running about had knocked boiling water over himself, he died a day after the accident. Elizabeth went on to have son Joseph Alexander on the 5th of August 1913

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Joseph was a member of the North Belfast Ulster Volunteer Force

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He had signed the Ulster Covenant on the 28th of September 1912, Ulster Day, within Belfast City Hall

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Joseph joined the Royal Irish Rifles.

He was posted as part of the British Expeditionary Forces to France on the 4th of October 1915.

Joseph was a Company Sergeant Major in D Company 9th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles when he was Killed In Action on the 1st of July 1916 aged 36 years

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A local newspaper states.

THE RANK AND FILE.

BELFAST.

Company Sergeant Major Joseph Martin, West Belfast Volunteers, who has been killed in action, was a son of Mr Joseph Martin, 328 Woodstock Road, Belfast. Deceased was a soldier in the regular army, and served in India and Africa. Prior to re-joining the colours on the formation of the Ulster Division he was in the employment of Rosebank Weaving Company. He was a member of the Ulster Volunteer Force, and a company commander of the North Belfast Regiment

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Another article states.

THE RANK AND FILE.

WEST BELFAST U.V.F LOSSES.

Company Sergeant Major Joseph Martin, West Belfast Volunteers, who has been killed in action, was a son of Mr Joseph Martin 328 Woodstock Road, Belfast. Deceased was a soldier in the Regular Army, and served in India and Africa. Prior to re-joining the colours on the formation of the Ulster Division he was in the employment of Rosebank Weaving Co. He was an enthusiastic member of the Ulster Volunteer movement, and as a company commander in the North Belfast Regiment, a striking tribute to the services rendered in bringing his company to such a high pitch of perfection was paid him when he was presented with a costly revolver of the latest type by the president on behalf of the men under his command. He leaves a wife and child, who reside at 3 Parkview Terrace, Woodvale Road,. Lieut-Col F.P. Crozier writing to Mrs Martin says - Your husband was killed just as the battalion was about to deploy from the wood for the attack. He will be very great loss to the battalion., and his company in particular. He has persevered to remain with the battalion all this winter, in spite of being ill, and when he came back from hospital it only was because he knew it was his duty to be in the firing line, come what may. He, Captain Haslett, and Captain Berry, between them, certainly made D Company what it was.

Captain Horace R Haslett, writing, Mrs Martin from Ballykinlar says, As you know your husband was associated with me from the day he joined the battalion until I was wounded. I always had the deepest respect for him, and gave him, and can never forget the great help he always gave me whilst I had commend of D Company. I was always considered very fortunate in having Sergt Major Martin in my Company, as no other N.C.O in the battalion was so looked up to and respected as he was. I feel very his loss, and beg to tender to you my deepest sympathy in your bereavement

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Josephs Soldiers Effects were left to his widow.

His signed Will states that his Property and Effects were go to his widow, as does any money appointed to him by his father.

A Pension Application Form shows his wife Elizabeth as claimant.

A Dependant Pension Application Form shows his wife Elizabeth as claimant also

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He received the British War Medal, Victory Medal and 1914-1915 Star

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He is Remembered at Thiepval Memorial, France.

To Remember Is To Honour

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