Ernest James Martin

A Private with the 7th Battalion, Ernest died on 9th of August 1916 at the age of 30. 

Ernest was born at Lowestoft on 30 November 1885, a son of Benjamin and Ellen Martin. He was baptised at Saint Margaret's Church, Lowestoft, on 5 September 1886. In 1891 his family lived at 217 Clapham Road, but the Census shows that Ernest was a patient at Lowestoft Hospital when the census was taken. From 29 June 1896 Ernest attended Saint Margaret's Boys School. By 1901 the family were living at 200 Clapham Road, and this was still the family home in 1911. 

On 15 April 1912 Ernest married Grace Wharton at Saint Margaret's Church, Lowestoft. Ernest was living at 200 Clapham Road and working as a fisherman. Grace lived at 245 Raglan Street.  Ernest and Grace had a home at 32 Jacob's Street, Lowestoft. 

Ernest volunteered and joined the Army at Lowestoft. He served with the Suffolk Regiment and on 11 August 1915 he arrived in France to join the 7th Battalion.

On 7 August 1916 the 7th Battalion took over trenches west of Pozieres, including Ration Trench. After repeated attacks the enemy took Ration Trench on 8 August. The next day the Battalion were given the task of attacking Ration Trench in an attempt to retake it from the enemy.  

Ernest was reported missing on 9 August and later it was presumed that he had been killed in action on that date. 

Grace died in 1918 and their two children, Doris and Ernest, lived with a guardian, Mrs. Laura Fisher, at 2 Beccles Road, Lowestoft.