Robert Martin
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
When Emma Martin and William Lewin married in 1886 at Retford, she bought with her two sons, James Martin born 1892 and Robert Martin born at Dunham, Notts in 1884. William, a widower also bought four children from his previous marriage. The couple made their home in Stawberry Road, Ordsall, Retford where William Lewin worked as a railway signalman. In the 1891 census, the two Martin boys surname were recorded as ‘Lewin’. William and Emma produced three more children over the next few years and in 1901 had moved to 28 Darrel Road, Ordsall, Retford. On this date, William was still employed as a signalman and 17 year old Robert Martin was also employed on the railway by working as a railway carriage cleaner. Robert left Retford in 1906 and arrived in Worksop, living at 170 Mafeking Road, where, on the 5th August, he married a local girl, Annie Fores, at St John’s Church. The grooms father’s details, on the certificate is named as William, a signalman. Initially, the couple lived in Gateford Road where their first two children were born, Gladys on 3 May 1907 and Robert, 19 May 1908. The Martin family appear to be not included in the 1911 census with the exception of Robert Junior who is resident with Mary E Pridmore, his maternal aunt at 81 Sandy Lane. Apart from her husband, Annie suffered another blow when her brother, William Fores was killed on 18 September 1918. After the death of Robert, she re-married to Walter Tong in 1919.
Pte Robert Martin Worksop Guardian 1 February 1918 Another member of the Sherwood Ranger Yeomanry to lose his life gallantly against the Turk in the Holy Land, is Private Robert Martin of 7 Gladstone Street, Worksop., news of whose death has just reached his wife. Pte Martin was 34 years of age and leaves five children, the oldest of whom is 11 years. He enlisted on March 19th 1915 prior to which he was employed at Manton Colliery. He saw service in Egypt and Salonica and later in Palestine where he was killed on November 29. He was a Retford man by birth and had lived in Worksop twelve years enjoying the respect of all who knew him. Two brother’s in law, Cpl W Fores and Lance Corporal James Fores are in the Sherwood Foresters and are now in France. Writing to Mrs Martin under date January 1st 1918, the Chaplain Rev E J Powell says, “Long before this you will have been notified by the War Office of the sad loss you have sustained in the death of your husband who was killed in action on November 28th, but I feel I must send you a line to assure you of my sincere sympathy with you in your great sorrow. You will be glad to know that he was spared prolonged suffering and in the coming days I am sure you will find consolation in the proud realisation, that he met a soldiers death, giving his all, even life itself in his country’s service. Trusting that strength may be given you to support in your sorrow, and again assuring you of my sincere sympathy in which I am sure all the regiment join”. Great sympathy is expressed with Mrs Martin and her young family.
"Mrs Martin received a letter from her husband dated 18th December stating that he was a prisoner in Turkish hands blaming his mules for being captured. Reported he had two small wounds and sent a kiss for each of his children. Robert died in captivity 8th January 1918". Courtesy of Charles Emsen Manton miners R o H researcher. Although his Worksop Guardian obituary states he was killed in action on 29 November 1917, his more reliable army records show that he died while a Prisoner of War in Asia Minor 8 January 1918. Commemorated on the Basra Memorial, Iraq. Research by Colin Dannatt
