Pte 35696 John Alexander Martin

• Age: 24
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• D.O.W Saturday 4th August 1917
• Commemorated at: Brandhoek New Mil Cem
  Panel Ref: IV.B.13

John Alexander was born 23rd February, 1893 in Liverpool and was baptised 26th March 1893 at St Nicholas Church, Liverpool. He was the son of Edward Henry Martin and his wife Maria Ann (nee Owen). 

On the 1891 Census the family are living at 124 Back Thorpe Street, Everton. His father, Edward, is aged 27 and is a port railway signalman born in Liverpool, his mother, Mary, is aged 27 and was born in Bethesda, Wales. They have two children who were both  born in Liverpool, Edward aged 1 and Robert 10mths.

On the 1901 Census the family are living at 4 Herbert Street, Walton. His father, Edward, is now shown to be aged 40 is now employed as an electric wire man, his mother Mary is also shown as aged 40, she has no occupation listed. They now have four children, Edward 11, Robert 10, John 8, and Mary 5 were also born in Liverpool.

On the 1911 Census the family have moved to 48 Gladstone Road, Walton. His father, Edward, aged 49 is a store keeper, and his wife Mary is aged 48 with no occupation listed. They have been married 23 years and have had four childrenwho are still in the household; Edward 21 a ships carpenter, Robert 20 a ships engineer, John 18 a drapers shop assistant, and Mary 15.

John was serving with the 18th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 35696 when he died of wounds on 04th August 1917 at No 32 Casualty Clearing Staion. He was 24 years of age.

John’s death was reported in the Liverpool Echo on 11th August 1917:

WALTON MAN'S DEATH. 

"Mr. and Mrs. Edward Martin, of 214, Rice-lane, Walton, have received information from the War Office of the death of their son, Private John Martin, from wounds received in action. He was in his 24th year, and had served his apprenticeship with Messrs. G.H. Lee and Co., Basnett-street. Shortly after the outbreak of war he joined Messrs. Elder, Dempster and Co., and sailed in their steamers as assistant purser, and was invalided, following an attack of malarial fever, after about two years' service. He joined the K.L.R. on his recovery, and went overseas with his battalion on active service. He was a member of Orrell-lane Presbyterian Church, being an active worker and Sunday school teacher. His genial and sympathetic disposition won for him a large circle of friends, and his loss will be keenly felt amongst those with whom he worked, and also amongst those who were associated with him in his church and Sunday school activities".

John now rests at Brandhoek New Military Cemetery in Belgium.

During the First World War, Brandhoek was within the area comparatively safe from shell fire, which extended beyond Vlamertinghe Church. Field ambulances were posted there continuously.

Until July 1917 burials had been made in the Military Cemetery, but the arrival of the 32nd, 3rd Australian and 44th Casualty Clearing Stations in preparation for the new Allied offensive launched that month made it necessary to open the New Military Cemetery, followed in August by the New Military Cemetery No 3.

Brandhoek New Military Cemetery contains 530 Commonwealth burials of the First World War and 28 German war graves. The burials are of July and August 1917 and among them is the grave of Captain Noel Chavasse, VC and Bar, MC, one of only three men who have won the Victoria Cross twice.

The cemetery was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield.

His family paid tribute to John, on the first anniversary of his death, in the Liverpool Echo on 10th August 1918

- MARTIN – In loving and honoured memory of Private John Martin (Our Jack) who died of wounds received in action in France in August 1917. Till the day dawns and the shadows flee away. Deeply mourned by Father, Mother, Sister and Brothers, Rice Lane Walton

John Alexander has a Soldiers Effects record but no named legatee, also no Pension record (might be why no marriage record can be found for parents).

His mother Maria died in 1930.

We currently have no further information on John Alexander Martin, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.