James Charles Martin died of illness on this day in 1915
James (known as Jim) Martin was born on 3 January 1901 at Tocumwal, New South Wales, the son of Charles and Amelia Martin. He was their only son, with five sisters. After leaving school, Jim worked as a farmhand. He was always keen on the military and had joined the cadets whilst at Manningtree Road State School.
Jim enlisted on 12 April 1915, stating his age as 18yrs. As he was under the age of 21, he was required to provide a letter from his parents giving consent to his enlistment. This is enclosed within his service file. Apparently, Jim’s father had tried to enlist but was not accepted so Jim was anxious to ‘do his bit’, in spite of his young age. On his service records, his height was stated as 5’ 6” and his weight as 9 stone 7lbs at the time of his attestation.
After training for several months at Broadmeadows Camp, he departed for Egypt with the 21st Battalion from Melbourne aboard HMAT Berrima on 28 June 1915.
In early September 1915, he was deployed to Gallipoli on SS Southland. The Southland would be the first Australian troopship to be torpedoed by a German submarine. After spending several hours in the water, Jim was rescued. He eventually landed on the Gallipoli peninsula on 7 September 1915.
Jim was deployed to Wire Gully but in late October he contracted enteritis and was evacuated to the Hospital Ship Glenart Castle. Sadly, he could not be saved and died on 25 October 1915 on board the Glenart Castle.
He was buried at sea but is commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial at Gallipoli.
His mother received a letter from the Base records Section at Victoria Barracks notifying her of her son’s death.
At the time of his death, James was aged only 14yrs and 9 months - he is considered to be the youngest Australian soldier to die on active service in the war. Given that there is some doubt as to John Condon’s age, Jim may well be the youngest soldier of British/Dominion forces to die on active service.
1553 Pte James Charles Martin, 21st Bn., A.I.F.