Leonard Martin

Date of birth:                 1894
Place of birth:               Southsea, Hampshire
Service No.:                   10144
Rank:                                 Private
Regiment / Division:   East Surrey Regiment
Battalion:                          7^th Battalion
Died:                                   13^th October 1915 aged 22 years
Death Location:             France

 Life before the War

Leonard’s parents were Samuel and Martha Ann nee Parfitt who married in 1882. His mother was born in 1863 Sandown, Isle of Wight and his father was from East Meon, Hampshire and born in 1863. He had 4 brothers Ralph Theodore b.1881 he  married in 1902, d.1950, Stephen b.1889 d.1923, Harold Christopher b.21^st September 1901 d.1971, Reginald John b.1904 and 1 sister Emma Eva b.1892.In the  1901 census , Samuel with his family were living at 18, Bishop Street, Portsmouth. Samuel was working for the Water Company as a Turncock. Ralph was employed as a Boot Salesman.

In the census of 1911, the family lived at 40, Heidleberg Road, Southsea, Hamsphire. Samuel was still employed by the Water Company as a Labourer and Stephen worked at the Government Dockyard as a Skilled Labourer. Leonard had moved to Southampton and was a boarder living with the Wareham family at 46, Bellevue Road, Southampton where he worked as a Grocer’s Shop Assistant.

 War Service

Leonard’s was posted to his first theatre of war  on 14^th July 1915.

Loos Memorial France

Leonard is Remembered with Honour on the Loos Memorial, France. He was entitled to the 1915 Star, British Service andVictory Medals.

When his parents were advised of their son’s death, they were living at 5, Shanklin Road, Southsea, Hampshire.

Research by Becky Lonergan 2013.