12th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (British Army)
Date Of Birth:
18/04/1896
Died:
23/07/1915 (Home)
Age:
19
Summary
Thomas John Martin was the son of David and Elizabeth Martin. He was born 18th April 1896 in the Magherafelt area. His father died when he was just 2 years old. Thomas Martin enlisted in Shanes Camp at Randalstown. Lance Corporal Thomas John Martin was in training with the 12th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he died of appendicitis in Ballyshannon Union Hospital in County Donegal on 23rd July 1915, aged 19.
Further Information
Thomas Martin was the son of David and Elizabeth Martin. David Martin married Eliza Kelly on 7th September 1893 in Magherafelt.
Thomas John Martin was born 18th April 1896 in the sub district of Maghera, probably in Knockloughrim, Magherafelt.
Family: Eliza Jane Martin, David Martin, Annie Jane Martin (born 28th July 1894), Thomas John Martin (born 18th April 1896), Robert James Martin (born 22nd February 1898).
David Martin died in Magherafelt on 23rd March 1898, aged 35. Thomas was just 2 years old.
The 1901 census lists Thomas John as age 5 living with the family at house 7 in Ballynacross, Gulladuff, County Londonderry. His mother was a widow. They were farmers.
The 1911 census does not list Thomas John as living with his remarried mother at house 18 in Ballynacross, Gulladuff, County Londonderry. From the census it seems she married Samuel Kelly in 1903, although this seems uncertain.
Thomas Martin enlisted in Shanes Camp at Randalstown.
Lance Corporal Thomas John Martin was in training with the 12th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers at Finner Camp.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 17th July 1915: Knockloughrim
Privates J McKeown, R W Bowman and T Martin, Royal Irish Fusiliers, paid a visit to their homes on a few days leave. They are all looking fine, and say they enjoy camp life. As they took their departure on Tuesday morning they advised all their pals to join them at Finner Camp.
When returning to Finner Camp from furlough at home after 12th July in 1915, he took ill.
Thomas was operated on at Ballyshannon Hospital but died of appendicitis.
Lance Corporal Thomas John Martin died in Ballyshannon Union Hospital in County Donegal on 23rd July 1915, aged 19.
Lance Corporal Thomas John Martin was conveyed home and on the following Friday morning and interred in the family burying ground at Knockloughrim United Free Church.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 31st July 1915: Private T J Martin -12th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
It is with sincere regret that we chronicle the death of the above named young man, which took place at the military hospital, Ballyshannon on 22nd July. The deceased was the nephew of Messrs John and Samuel Kelly of Ballinacross. He nobly responded to Kitchener’s call, and had not appendicitis claimed him, he would have, like many of Ulster’s sons, sustained its best traditions on the battlefield. He was 19 years of age, and when last home on a short furlough about the 12th July, looked in the pink of condition. On returning to camp at Finner on 13th July, he took suddenly ill on the way. He was removed to hospital and underwent an operation, but succumbed a few hours afterwards. His remains, enclosed in a solid oak casket, were conveyed by motor to the residence of his uncle, Mr J Kelly, on Friday morning and interred in the family burying ground, Knockloughrim United Free Church. The officiating clergyman was Rev A Thompson, B.A., Tobermore. The utmost sympathy is felt in the surrounding neighbourhood at the sudden termination of the life of such a staunch young man. He was a general favourite both at camp and in the district to which he belonged. The chief mourners were – R J Martin (brother); Thomas Kelly (grandfather), Samuel Kelly, John Kelly, James Martin (uncles). Wreaths were sent by his sister, A J Martin and his aunt, Mrs Kelly.
Lance Corporal Thomas John Martin is buried in Knockloughrim Presbyterian Churchyard in County Londonderry.
The CWGC record Lance Corporal Thomas John Martin as the son of David Martin, of Ballinacross, Knockloughrim.
