Pte 49252 John Alfred Martin

• Age: 20
• From: Padiham, Lancs
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• K.I.A Monday 9th April 1917
• Commemorated at: Neuville-vitasse Rd Cem
  Panel Ref: B.4

John Alfred Martin was born in Padiham, Lancashire on the 22nd March 1897, the son of Alfred Martin and his wife Margaret Ann (nee Whitaker) who were married in 1886 in Burnley . He was baptised on the 14th April 1897.

John attended school at Padiham Green Church School. 

He enlisted as Private 23581 in the Royal Lancaster Regiment on 29th May 1916 before transferring to the 18th Battalion of The Kings Liverpool Regiment as Private 49252.

He was killed in action on the 9th of April 1917, aged 20, during the Battle of Arras.

Details of the circumstances the 18th Battalion had to contend with on that day are illustrated below:

Arras 09^th April 1917

Details of the circumstances the18^th Battalion had to contend with are illustrated below:

The battalion formed the left assaulting battalion of the brigade, the 2^nd Wiltshire Regiment being on the right, the 19^th Manchester Regiment being in support and 2^nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment furnishing “moppers -up”  for the two assaulting battalions. The brigade advance was timed to begin at ---- hour after “Zero”, suited to conform with the movements of 56^th Division and other divisions on our left further north (near Arras). This battalion’s objective was the front-line system Lion Lane on the left (exclusive) to Panther Lane on right (exclusive). This sector included the strongpoint known as “The Egg”.

The brigade advanced at prearranged time, i.e., 11.38 a.m, from position of assembly trenches south of Neuville Vitasse to German front line. This necessitated an advance across the open of at least 2,000 yards. This area up to Neuville Vitasse- Henin road was crossed in artillery formation; after this, owing to machine-gun fire and considerable resistance from German posts forward in the sunken roads, it was found necessary to deploy. During the whole movement across the open the advancing columns had been under considerable artillery fire from guns of all calibres. On gaining the position immediately in front of German line it was found that the wire was practically uncut; this wire formed two strong belts in front of German trenches. Two small gaps were eventually discovered and Second-Lieut H.F.Merry gallantly led a bombing party through them, but his three remaining men were killed as they reached the German trenches.

From the moment the battalion was “held up” in front of German wire Capt. R. W. Jones, the senior company commander on the spot, at once began the work of consolidating in front of German wire. The battalion held on in this position for the remainder of the day, until relieved by the 16^th Manchester Regiment about 3 a.m. on the 10^th of April, all the time under intense machine-gun and rifle fire.

Between 9th-10th April, 1917, the 18th King's lost 2 officers 2nd Lt. F. Ashcroft and 2nd Lt. H.G. Ewing and 59 other ranks killed. 8 other officers were wounded. 

John now rests at Neuville Vitasse Road Cemetery, France.

His death was reported in the Burnley Express 25th April 1917

A PADIHAM WEAVER

Pte J. A. Martin

The death is recorded of another well-known Padiham Green soldier in Private John Alfred Martin (49252) of the King's Liverpool Regiment, who was killed in action on the 9th April. Information comes from the Captain of his company. The deceased soldier was 20 years of age, and the youngest son of Mr and Mrs Martin of 41 St Annes Street, Padiham. Previous to enlistment on May 29th 1916 at Burnley, he was employed as a weaver at Messrs. Holden's Spa Mill, Padiham. He was formerly a scholar at Padiham Green Church School. Another brother, Private Ezra Martin, is serving with the East Lancashire Regiment in the east.

Captain Edmundson writes of the deceased soldier as follows:-  "I much regret to have to inform you that your son Private John Alfred Martin was killed in action with his company on the 9th. His loss will be felt by all as he was an excellent soldier in every way, and a great favourite with the remainder of the men in the company. I feel that I cannot fully express my sympathy in writing, but I feel sure you will realise how deeply I feel for your sad loss."

John is remembered at home on the Padiham Memorial.

Soldiers Effects and Pension to his mother Margaret Ann.

His father died in the March quarter of 1921, aged 58.

His mother died in the March quarter of 1922, aged 63.