SPRATTON LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY


Pioneer Walter Ernest MARTIN

Royal Engineers 114995, 702nd Labour Corps 291203


Walter was born in Cottesbrooke in January 1895, the son of Joseph Martin, a farm labourer, timber carter and later a milkman, and his wife, Elizabeth (née Bromwich).  The Martins were a long established family in Spratton who had lived in Manor Road and then Station Road (now Brixworth Road). Five brothers in Joseph and Elizabeth’s family served in the First World War – Harry, Joseph, George, William and Walter. The family moved to Cottesbrooke and lived at Calendar Farm for a time but by 1911 they had returned to Spratton and were living in Station Road (now Brixworth Road) and Walter was working as a carter.

Walter volunteered for the Royal Engineers as a Pioneer and embarked for France on 25 August 1915 aged 20. He fought at Ypres, Arras, Cambrai and on the Somme. He was wounded and later transferred to the Labour Corps. Walter was awarded the British War Medal, the Victory Medal and the 1915 Star.

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