Martin, Sidney Grant
Second Lieutenant S. G. Martin, was the son of the Rev. Grantley C. Martin, Rector of Stoke, and Mrs Martin, and had reached the age of 22 years when he met his death. He was educated at Monkton Combe Junior School, Bath, Tonbridge School (where he served in the O.T.C.), and at King's, where he won the Granville and University Prizes for Classics, and the Warre Memorial Prize, taking his B.A. with Honours in Classics. He joined the Inns of Court O.T.C. and received a commission in the Special Reserve R.F.A. in December, 1915, and sailed to France on Easter Day, 1916. He served continuously on active service until he died of wounds on April 18th, 1917, with the - Battery R.F.A., - Brigade - Division of immortal Gallipoli fame. Splendid tributes were paid by his commanding officers. Thus his Major writes: "He had developed into a splendid officer, and had done some grand work for me lately. He was as stout hearted as anyone I have ever known, and had cheerfully gone into and come smiling out of some very tight places. In a Battery the officers become a very happy family, and we all feel your loss most deeply. He was killed by a big shell which burst about ten yards away from him. He was unconscious practically at once, and died a few minutes after we had got him to the dressing station, which is only a hundred yards away, so I trust and believe he suffered no pain. He was buried in a place which will be a permanent cemetery." The Lieutenant Colonel of his Brigade wrote: "You will have heard before this of the death in action of your son. It has been the cause of the greatest sadness to us all. I always liked him so much and his work during the year he has been with us has been splendid. He was always plucky and cheerful under the most trying conditions. I saw him about an hour before he was hit. He was very tired as, indeed, we all were, having had little rest since our victory of the 9th. His splendid Battery suffered much. Their behaviour was beyond praise. Your son was always a most lovable companion and we shall miss him much." Lieutenant Martin has two other officer brothers still serving with the Forces. King's College Review, Dec. 1917
Biographical
| Surname(s) | Martin |
|---|---|
| First name(s) | Sidney Grant |
| Date of birth | 1895 |
| Family details | Son of the Rev. Grantley C. Martin and Mary Louisa Martin, of Stoke Rectory, Guildford |
| Previous education | Monkton Combe Junior School, Bath, Tonbridge School |
| College | King's College London and/or King's College London Hospital |
| Dept / course | Faculty of Arts, Classics. Gained the Granville and University Prize for Classics and the Warre Memorial Prize |
| Qualifications | BA (Hons) Classics 1913 |
| Military unit | Royal Field Artillery, 13th Battery, 7th Brigade |
| Date enlisted | December 1915 |
| War / conflict | World War One (1914-1918) |
| Campaigns | Sailed for France Easter Day 1916 |
| Date of death | 18 April 1917 |
| Age at death | 22 |
| Rank at death | 2nd Lieutenant |
| Cause of death | Wounds - large shell burst about 10 yards away - became unconscious almost immediately - died a few minutes after arriving at Dressing Station |
| Burial place | Tilloy British Cemetery, Tilloy-les-Mofflaines |
| Commemoration(s) | King's College Chapel |
| Notes | Gained a Commission in Special Reserve Royal Field Artillery |
| Sources | King's College London Archives; Commonwealth War Graves Commission |