​Charles John Martin (1879-1916)

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The Sash Our Forefathers Wore

Charles Martin was born on May 28th, 1879 in Bellaghy, Ireland to parents John Martin and Ellen Jane Rankin.

Charles and his wife, Margaret Elizabeth Lee (b. 1881) immigrated to Canada in 1902.  They had six children, all born in Canada; Annie (b. 1903), Charles (b. 1905), Mary (b. 1907), Marguerite (b. 1912), Helen (b. 1914) and Martha (b. 1915).

Charles was a member of The Temple Royal Black Preceptory No. 292 and a police constable in Toronto before enlisting in the Canadian Army on August 2nd, 1915.

Upon enlisting he was assigned to the 84th Battalion of the Queen's Own Rifles of Canada and attained the rank of sergeant.  

On November 18th, 1916, Charles was killed in action at the Battle of Ancre, the last major British attack during the Battle of the Somme as his battalion advanced and took the Desire Trench.  He was 37 years old.

His name is inscribed on the Vimy Memorial in Pas de Calais, France.

Sir Knight, Sergeant Charles Martin.

Sergeant Charles Martin's name inscribed on the Vimy Memorial.