private richard martin - education...
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Private Richard Martin
Research carried out by Elijah Douglas, Year 11, Spinifex State College Soldier’s Name Private Richard Martin, No. 1359
Regiment/Unit 47th Bn., Australian Infantry, A.I.F.
Place of Birth Born in Dunedin, New Zealand, Private Martin of North Stradbroke Island is thought to have lied about his place of birth when he enlisted, possibly to avoid being rejected because of his colour.
Place of Enlistment Brisbane, Queensland
Age at Enlistment 22
Date of Death 28 March 1918
Place of Death France
Memorial Villers-Bretonneux Memorial.
Family Brother, Mr M A Martin of Cleveland, Qld
www.awm.gov.au P00889.017 © Commonwealth of Australia (Australian War Memorial) 2013
Private Richard Martin 1359 of the 47th Battalion died on 28 March 1918 in France and was buried at the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial. He was born in Dunedin, New Zealand and was enlisted in Brisbane on 17 December 1914 at the age of 22. His date of birth is unknown. I believe his family comes from the Stradbroke Islands.
Richard Martin was an Aboriginal serviceman who served in the 47th Battalion. Richard, of North Stradbroke Island, is thought to have lied about his place of birth when he enlisted, possibly to avoid being rejected because of his colour. On his file held at the National Archives of Australia his place of birth is listed as Dunedin, New Zealand, however, his next of kin is listed as his brother, Mr M A Martin of Cleveland, Queensland. Cleveland is just across the bay from North Stradbroke island. Richard originally enlisted in the 15th Battalion on 17 December 1914 and served with this unit at Gallipoli but was transferred to the 47th Battalion when the Army was expanded in early 1916. He embarked from Alexandria on 14 June 1916 bound for Marseilles. In three years of fighting on the Western Front he was wounded in action three times; he was evacuated suffering shell shock on 10 August 1916, returning to his unit four days later, he was also wounded in action in Belgium on 7 June 1917 and again on 11 October 1917. Richard was killed in action on 28 March 1918.
© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia) 2013
© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia) 2013
© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia) 2013
© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia) 2013
© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia) 2013
© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia) 2013
© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia) 2013
SOURCE:
http://ww1qld.gravesecrets.net/m.html
World War I service record
Please cite this record as NAA: B2455, MARTIN R