MARTIN, Bernard John

Bernard, the son of John and Mary Martin, was born at Inverell in 1892. In October 1914, at the age of twenty two, he enlisted in Sydney. Although his service record lists his occupation as Labourer, he had served two years as a Hairdresser's apprentice working at Ashford and Wee Waa before the War.

As a Private with the 3rd Battalion, 1st Reinforcement he sailed from Melbourne on HMAT A32 Thermistocles on 22 December 1914. At Gallipoli in May 1915 he received a gunshot wound to his arm, then three weeks later was hospitalised at Lemnos with influenza.

After returning to his unit he was reported as missing in action at Gallipoli in mid August. Red Cross Bureau enquiries eventually found that he had been killed by a sniper near Lone Pine between 7-12 August 1915. This was confirmed by a Court of Inquiry held in June 1916.

Bernard's father was deceased and as his mother was dependent upon him for support she was granted a War Pension of two pounds per fortnight from the beginning of January 1916. His remaining possessions, which included a damaged wrist watch, tobacco pouch, cards, photos and an oil stone, were returned to his mother in 1918. She received his War medals in 1922.

Private Bernard Martin has his name inscribed on the Inverell Honor Roll and the Inverell Cenotaph. He was one of the 215 men for whom a memorial tree was planted in Kurrajong Parade in 1919.