William Martin

Private William Martin attested on 15th August 1914 at Nottingham aged 22 and was placed in the Special Reserve. He served at home until 19th July 1915, and was then posted to France.and was killed in action, 3rd February 1916, by German shellfire, whilst serving in the line at St. Jean, Belgium. whilst serving with the 2nd battalion Sherwood Foresters Regiment.

Buried: White House Cemetery, St. Jean-Les-Ypres, Belgium. Special Memorial 13.

Nottingham Evening Post obituary 19/2/1916:-

'MARTIN. - Killed in action, February 3rd, Private W. Martin, 2nd Sherwood Foresters. No loved one stood beside you, to hear you last farewell; not a word of comfort could you have from one you loved so well. - From his sorrowing wife, Margaret.'

Nottingham Evening Post obituary 3/2/1917:-

'MARTIN. - In loving memory of Private Wm. Martin, 2nd Sherwood Foresters, killed in action February 3rd, 1916. Still smiling face, but aching heart. Gone, but no forgotten by his loving wife, Maggie.'

Special Reserve

This was a form of part-time soldiering, in some ways similar to the Territorial Force. Men would enlist into the Special Reserve for 6 years and had to accept the possibility of being called up in the event of a general mobilisation and otherwise undertake all the same conditions as men of the Army Reserve. Their period as a Special Reservist started with six months full-time training (paid the same as a regular) and they had 3-4 weeks training per year thereafter. A man who had not served as a regular could extend his SR service by up to four years but could not serve beyond the age of 40. A former regular soldier who had completed his Army Reserve term could also re-enlist as a Special Reservist and serve up to the age of 42.
All regiments had a unit (or more) dedicated to the administration and training of the Special Reservists. For example in most infantry regiments it was the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion.

additional research and information Peter Gillings