Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John and Kete Martin of 34, Old Row, Bardon Hill, Leics., and the husband of Sarah Ann Morris (formerly Martin) of 22, Old Row, Bardon Hill, Leics. The War Diary entry for the events from the 12th to the 13th July 1916 records. QUADRANGLE TRENCH. Battalion relieved by 10th KING’S OWN YORKSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY and moved back to FRICOURT arriving back about 5.00am on the 13th July. Casualties for the 10th to the 13th July 3 officers and 50 other ranks.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
John Henry Martin was born 8th June 1887 in Bardon Hill, Leicestershire.
He was the son of John (born 12th April 1864 in Little Dowham, Cambridgeshire) who came to live in Whitwick 1878 (died 1950) and lived at Bardon Hill from February 16th February 1886; married 26th December 1886 to Kate Franklin Martin nee Scaysbrook 1865-6th August 1956, of 34, Old Row, Bardon Hill, Leicestershire.
John Henry ‘s siblings were: Agnes 1886-1950, Stella Hannah 17th February 1890-1976, Kate 28th August 1892-1981, Dorothy 4th December 1894-1993, Florence 3rd July 1899, Beatrice 19th October 1901-1994, Charles William 29th March 1903-1970, Clarice May 18th May 1909-2001.

John was the husband of Sarah Ann Morris (formerly Martin), they had 3 children Beatrice Mary born 1910, Bernard John 11th August 1914 AND Reginald William 19th October 1912-1990; they lived of 22, Old Row, Bardon Hill, Leicestershire John was a Labourer in 1911.
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submitted by F. Tilley in 2016


Coalville Times article - Friday July 28th, 1916

BARDON HILL

MEMORIAL SERVICE

A special service was held at St. Peter’s Church on Sunday evening in memory of Private J. H. Martin, of the Leicestershire Regiment, the first of the actual residents in the village to give his life for his King and country. He was killed in the recent advance, and leaves a widow and three children. The service was taken by the Rev. H. V. Williams, and the organist (Mr Thomas Pruden) played Mendelssohn’s ‘O rest in the Lord’ as a voluntary at the conclusion of the service.

Coalville Times article - Friday September 8th, 1916

Mrs J. H. Martin has received official notification from the War Office of the death of her husband, Private John Henry Martin, of the Leicestershire Regiment, who was killed in action on July 11th in the great advance. He is the first actual resident of Bardon Hill to give his life for his King and country, and he leaves a widow and three children. Mrs Martin has received numerous letters from her husband’s friends, both at home and at the Front, expressing their sympathy in her great trouble, and telling her how bravely he died, and what a splendid soldier he was. His absence is greatly felt in the ranks amongst those who survived those terrible days in which they did such noble work, and during which his smiling face and cheery words helped many a comrade. He was for three or four months a regimental policeman, and only went into action the night before his death.

Coalville Times article - Friday July 12th, 1918

IN MEMORIAM

In loving memory of John Henry Martin, Leicester Regiment, who was killed in the Battle of the Somme, July 11th, 1916.

“So dear to us,
Forget him we never shall.
For memory liveth forever.”

From Anne and his children.

Martin – In loving memory of our dear son and brother, Private J. H. Martin, 9th Leicestershire Regiment, who was killed in action, July 11th, 1916.

“Days of sadness still come o’er us,
Tears of sorrow often flow
Memory keeps our loved ones near us,
Whom God claimed two years ago.”

From his loving Mother, Father, Sisters and Brother.

Coalville Times article - Friday July 11th, 1919

In loving memory of our dear son, Private J. H. Martin, 9th Leicestershire Regiment, killed in action, July 11th, 1916.

“If we could have clasped his dying hand
Or heard his last farewell
It would not have been so hard to part
With one we loved so well.”

Coalville Times article - Friday July 9th, 1920

IN MEMORIAM

Martin – In loving memory of our dear son, Pte. John Henry Martin, who was killed in action, July 11th, 1916.

“Not dead to us, we love him still;
Not lost, but gone before.
He lives with us in memory still,
And will for evermore.”

From his loving Father, Mother, Sisters and Brothers, and his little children.

From Mother, Father, children, Brother and Sisters

Research undertaken and submitted (including photograph from Coalville Times) by Andy Murby 28/7/2017