Trafford

Born at Irlam on 4th March 1889, March quarter 1889 - in the Barton upon
Irwell R.D. - ref: 8c/648, the son of Dr William Young Martin FRCS, JP &
Sarah Elizabeth Martin (nee Whittle). 

His mother - Sarah Elizabeth died during the March quarter 1889, probably
in childbirth with Thomas.

1891 Census - Dr Martin's, The Limes, Manchester Road, Worsley, Walkden,
Eccles.    Son - aged: 2 - born: Walkden.  Head of household - Dr. William
Y. Martin - Widower - aged: 48 - occ: General Practitioner - born: Little
Hulton, Lancashire.   Plus - 3 elder siblings and 4 servants.

1901 Census - Rossall Preparatory School, Cleveleys, Thornton, Cleveleys,
Lancashire.    Pupil - aged: 12 - born: Walkden, Lancashire.

His father married Martha Emily Berwick in 1909.

1911 Census - Woodhead, Winn Road, Southampton, Hampshire.   Visitor -
aged: 22 - occ: Medical Stusent - born: Walkden.  Head of household -
Edward John Smith - Married - aged: 60 - occ: Master Mariner RD Royal Naval
Reserve - born: Hanley, Staffordshire.  Also Sarah Eleanor Smith - Wife -
aged: 47 - born: Newton le Wiollows, Lancashire.   Plus their daughter and
2 servants.

His father was residing at 48 Park Road, Pendleton, Salford.    Head -
Married - aged: 68 - occ Doctor of Medicine - born: Little Hulton.    Also
- Martha Emily Martin - Wife - aged: 42 - born: Newton Le Willows,
Lancashire.    Plus her son, aged: 9 and 2 servants.

His father - Dr. William Young Martin died in 1911, aged: 68.

I am most grateful to Neil Drum & Pete Thomas for allowing me to use
verbatim the following extract from their superb 623 page book "A District
at War - Irlam & Cadishead's Part in the Great War", an incredibly detailed
and comprehensive book that is not only a credit to them, but a magnificent
memorial to the WW1 men of that district.

Royal Army Medical Corps (Special Reserve), attached as Medical Officer to
the 11th Battalion, The Royal Scots, 27th Brigade, 9th (Scottish) Division.
  He was born in Irlam on 4th March 1889, the son of Dr W.Y.  Martin JP of
Walkden.   Thomas had a sister, Mrs Bateson, wife of Dr Bateson of The
Limes, Walkden, and one elder brother, William.   He was the nephew of the
Reverend R. Martin, DD, vicar of Irlam.   Thomas was educated at Rossall
School and Victoria University, Manchester, where he took his M.B. and
Ch.B. in 1912.   He was employed for six
months as a junior and then, for six months, as senior house surgeon at
Manchester Royal Infirmary.   He then went on to work as assistant medical
officer at Barnes Convalescent Hospital in Cheadle.   He was not married
and resided at Waverley, Arthog Road, Hale, Cheshire.

Thomas applied for a commission in the Special Reserve of Officers in
September 1914, stating a preference for the Royal Army Medical Corps in
order to use his skills.   His description was recorded as 5 foot 11 inches
tall and weighing 148lb. He served on the Western Front, and managed to get
home to England on a few occasions where he spent his time in Walkden and
Hale.    He was awarded the Military Cross for his part in a trench raid.  
The citation, which appeared in the supplement to the London Gazette dated
26th May 1917, read:  "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He
was of the greatest assistance in organising the evacuation of the wounded
across 'No Man's Land' during the operation. He has on many previous
occasions done fine work."

On 9th April 1917, the Battle of Arras commenced and it was the task of the
9th (Scottish) Division to capture the German trench system from the Point
du Jour to the village of Athies. Thomas was killed in action in this
attack.   He lies buried at Bailleul Road West Cemetery, St Laurent-Blangy,
Pas-de-Calais, France. A letter was received by the family from his
Commanding Officer stating that he had been killed by a shell whilst
attending wounded under fire.  He is listed on the Manchester University
War Memorial.   He does not appear on the Irlam and Cadishead War Memorial,
but he is mentioned in Joseph Cooke's 1917 Official Record and Roll of
Honour.   In his will he left £3,698, 10s and his medals to his brother,
William, who was serving as a Captain in the Royal Army Medical Corps
stationed in Singapore.   The Army returned Thomas' personal effects to the
family, which consisted of a bundle of letters, a set of pocket chess,
postcards, a cased set of playing cards, an officer's advance book,
photographs, a mirror, flask, cigarette holder in a case, badges, a cheque
book, a photograph in a case and a book entitled "Muller's Physical
Exercise Course".   He was described in the Royal Scots Regimental History
as a "popular Medical Officer".

His will was made to Sarah Dorothea Bury, wife of Ernest Bury and his
estate was valued at £3,698. 10. 4d.