Date of birth: 1889
Place of birth: Otterbourne, Hampshire
Service No.: 8140
Rank: Drummer
Regiment / Division: Dorsetshire Regiment
Battalion: 2nd Battalion
Died: 14th May 1916 aged 26 years
Death Location: Mesopotamia
Life before the War
Herbert’s father, John, was born in 1829, Twyford, Hampshire. His mother was Emily Jane born 1859 in Chilcombe, Hampshire.
Herbert had 4 brothers Albert b.1875, Alfred b.1879, William b.1880 and Charles F b,1892 he also had 2 sisters Alice b.1883 and Ada Victoria b.1895.
In the census of 1891, Emily was living with children William, Alice, Herbert and Bertha, at Allbrook Street, Otterbourne, Hampshire. Emily worked as a Laundress which was her own business and run from home, Bertha was employed as a General Servant Domestic. Her husband was not present at the time of the census.
In the census of 1901 the family lived at 92, Cranbury Road, Eastleigh, Hampshire. John was employed as a General Labourer, whilst Emily still continued with her own business as a Laundress.
By the 1911 census, Emily was widowed and living as a lodger at 177, Northam Road, Southampton where she was a Temporary Cook Domestic. Ada was living with her aunt, Emily Kate Arnold, in Winchester and working as a Laundress.
In 1911 Herbert was serving with the 2nd Dorset Regiment as a Private. The census was submitted whilst he was serving in Ceylon and India.
War Service
Service Records
Herbert enlisted into the Dorsetshire Regiment on 27th December 1906 aged 18 years . On the 3rd May 1913, he requested his length of service be extended to complete 12 years with the colours.
On 14th December 1914, he embarked for Bombay landing at Mesopotamia on 26th December 1914.
He was admitted to hospital on 12th October 1915 with Malaria and discharged on 20th October 1915.
He was wounded in action on 12th December 1915 and a telegram was sent to advice his family. On the 14th May 1916 he “died of disease”.
His civilian occupation prior to enlisting was sawyer. He had his mother as next of kin.
The Army wrote to her on 11th September 1919 enquiring if she had received the balance of her son’s estate, to which she confirmed she had. She received his 1914 – 1915 Star in 1920 and the Victory and British Service medals in 19121.
| Name: | Herbert Henry Martin |
| Birth Place: | Eastleigh, Hants |
| Death Date: | 14 May 1916 |
| Death Location: | Mesopotamia |
| Enlistment Location: | Southampton, Hants |
| Rank: | Drummer |
| Regiment: | Dorsetshire Regiment |
| Battalion: | 2nd Battalion |
| Number: | 8140 |
| Type of Casualty: | Died |
| Theatre of War: | Asiatic Theatres |
Herbert is Remembered with Honour on the Amara Memorial, Iraq. The Memorial reads:
Amara War Memorial
“Martin, Drmr. Herbert Henry, 8140. 2nd Bn. Dorsetshire Regt. Died of wounds 14th May, 1916. Age 26.
Son of Emily Jane Martin, of 13, Union Rd., Northam, Southampton, and the late John Martin. Native of
Otterbourne, Winchester. Reference VIII. H. 3.”
