John Godfrey Martin

Date of birth:                 1893
Place of birth:                Southampton
Service No.:                    470481
Rank:                                  Rifleman
Regiment / Division:   London Regiment
Battalion:                          12^th (County of London) Battalion (The Rangers)
Died:                                   1^st July 1916 aged 23 years
Death Location:             France

Life before the War

John’s father was John Hadlow Martin s born in Middlesex 1841 and died on 27^th August 1896 Southampton. His father left a Probate:

“Martin John Hadlow of the “Kraal” Westbridge Road and of 38 Bernard Street both
in Southampton india rubber merchant died 27 August 1896 at the “Kraal”. Probate Winchester
5 October 1896 to Fannie Martha Martin widow Effects £1746 2s 5d”

His mother was Fannie Martha Witt who was born in 1849 Wimborne, Dorset. On her death, Fannie left a Probate:

“Martin Fannie Martha of 6 Ordnance Road September widow died 19 January 1932. Probate Birmingham 27 April 1932
to Benjamin Mark Martin dentist. £162 19s 6d”

His parents were  married on 13^th April 1872 St. James Church, Southampton.

John  Godfrey had  5 brothers, Benjamin Mark b.6^th May 1874, baptized 12^th July 1874,  he was married on 21^st March 1912 Norfolk to Violet Annie Miller, d.2^nd June 1939. His Probate read as:

“Martin Benjamin Mark of 16 Evesham Place Stratford upon Avon died 2 June 1939. Probate Birmingham 4 August 1939 to Violet Annie Martin widow. Effects £588 12s”

Herbert Hadlow b.1877, baptized 12^th August 1877, d.21^st January 1916. He left a Probate:

“Martin Herbert Hadlow of 18 Barnsbury Park Barnsbury Middlesex died 21 January 1916. Administration London 9 February 1916 to Fanny Martha Martin (mother) widow. Effects £166 3s 3d”

Gerald b.1879 and Alan b.1882, he died leaving a Probate:

“Martin Alan of 114 Queens Avenue Watford Hertfordshire died 23 December 1929 at the Peace Memorial Hospital Watford. London 16 January 1930 to Elsie Rose Ina Martin widow. Effects £817 4s”

Bernard b.1886, who married Ethel Allen on 2^nd May 1921 Detroit, Wayne, Michigan, USA

Historical Information – John Hadlow Martin

Martin’s Rubber – Specialists in Industrial Rubber and Engineering Plastic Products

The company was established by John. His sons were born and raised over the shop at 38, Bernard Street (later renumbered to 65).
It is thought the Martin family had a phone installed in 1920 with a telephone address of “Martinet”, which was later confirmed in
adverts. Along with 38, Bernard Street, they also owned 40, Bernard Street and 11, Oxford Street. They were listed as an India Rubber
Dealer & Gutta Percha Dealers in the 1887 Directories.

John was a member of the Freemasons at the Southampton Lodge.

Throughout John and Fannie’s marriage, the family were living in Bernard Street.

In the census of 1901, Fannie was a widow and living at Bernard Street, she had taken over the running of her husband’s business with the help of her sons.

In the census of 1911, Benjamin had moved to Norfolk where he had his Dental Surgeon Practice. Herbert was living as a boarder in Islington where he worked as a Tailor. John Godfrey was a boarder in Islington, but at a different address to his brother. He was employed as an Architect Clerk. Alan was now married to Elsie Rose Ina and had moved to Watford where he was employed by the London Postal Services GPO as a Clerk.

War Service

Name:	John Godfrey Martin
Residence:	Finsbury Park
Death Date:	1 Jul 1916
Death Location:	France & Flanders
Enlistment Location:	London
Rank:	Rifleman
Regiment:	London Regiment
Battalion:	12th (County of London) Battalion (The Rangers)
Number:	470481
Type of Casualty:	Killed in action
Theatre of War:	Western European Theatre

 The Thiepval Memorial

“Martin, Rfn. John Godfrey, 470481. 1^st/12^th Bn. London Regt. (The Rangers). 1^st July, 1916. Age 23. Son of F. M. Martin,
of 11, Oxford Avenue, Southampton, and the late John Hadlow Martin”

John is also remembered on the War Memorial at King Edward’s School, Southampton.

John was entitled to the 1915 Star, British Service and Victory Medals