Martin, Norman

Norman Martin was born in Kintore on March 26, 1895 a son of Joseph H. and Mary Elizabeth (nee Cooper) Martin.  Formerly a teacher with a Second Class Certificate, he taught for a year at Huntsville, Ontario before returning to his mother's home at Science Hill in 1915.  

Norman Martin was enroled at Stratford in the 110th (Perth) Canadian Infantry Battalion on February 12, 1916.  A veteran of six months service in the local militia unit, the 28th (Perth Regiment, Private Martin was promoted to Provisional Corporal on March 27, 1916, Provisional Sergeant on April 7, 1916 and then Acting Sergeant on November 11, 1916.  He sailed with the 110th Battalion to England on October 31, 1916 on the Caronia, and shortly after his arrival at Shorncliffe, was transferred to the 8th Reserve Battalion.  Tired of routine duty in England, Sergeant Martin reverted to Private at his own request July 6, 1917 in order to go overseas to France.

On July 11, 1917, Private Martin was taken on strength of the 58th Canadian Infantry Battalion then resting in a quiet area near Lens.  He was with the 58th during the fierce fighting around Avion, La Couiette and especially Hill 70, but came through without a scratch.  In October, the 58th were transferred to Flanders and on October 22, 1917 were manning trenches at the foot of Passchendaele Ridge.  Subsequently on October 26, 1917 during the fighting for control of the Bellevue Spur, the 58th were ordered to capture the village of Laamkeek.  During this attack, Private Martin was killed in action.  The appalling mud and atrocious weather conditions precluded any possibility of evacuating the body, and Martin was therefore buried on the spot.  Search teams after the war were unable to recover his body.  The Commanding Officer of the 58th Battalion had previously nominated Private Martin for the Military Medal for Bravery in the field.  This medal was awarded posthumously.  

Private Martin is commemorated by name on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial to the missing in Belgium.  He was survived by his mother, Mary Martin of Science Hill.

Information taken from "St. Marys Remembers '95", authored by Richard Holt of St. Marys.  Receipt of Military Medal for Bravery authenticated by family.