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Auction: 15001 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals and Militaria
Lot: 25

A Fine and Very Complete Great War '1918 Battle of Arras' D.C.M. Group of Four to Company Sergeant Major J.R. Martin, Manchester Regiment, Who Died of Wounds, 28.3.1918
a) Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (250371 C.S.Mjr: J.R. Martin. 1/6 Manch: R.), minor official correction to number
b) 1914-15 Star (2128 Pte. J.R. Martin. Manch. R.)
c) British War and Victory Medals (250371 W.O.Cl.2. J.R. Martin. Manch. R.), nearly extremely fine, with Great War Bronze Memorial Plaque 'John Robert Martin', Memorial Scroll (all housed in two contemporary glazed wooden frames), and several annotated photographs of recipient in uniform (lot)

D.C.M. London Gazette 3.9.1918 250371 CSM J.R. Martin 1/6 Manchester Regiment (Manchester)
'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During three days especially this warrant officer was of the greatest assistance to his company officer. Wherever the shelling was heaviest he went about placing the men to the best advantage. He was seriously wounded, but continued his work until again wounded. He showed the highest courage and determination.'

250371 Company Sergeant Major John Robert Martin, D.C.M., born Padiham, Lancashire; son of Mr and Mrs M. Martin of 5 Fairbourne Road, Levenshulme, Manchester; served with the 1/6th Manchester Regiment during the Great War; landed with the battalion in Egypt, September 1914; served in the Gallipoli theatre of operations, May-December 1915, before being evacuated to Mudros and then Egypt; served on the Western Front, 1917; he died of wounds, 28.3.1918; on the latter date the 1/6th Battalion were engaged, as part of the 42nd (East Lancashire) Division, in the defence of Rossignol Wood during the Battle of Arras; they had moved into the line on the night of the 23rd March, and having repelled numerous attacks over the following days, on the 28th,'Northwards the Germans in their efforts to swing round, with Hébuterne as a pivot, attacked in a more desperate manner. At 8.15am, after two hours' shelling of the 42nd Divn (Major-General A. Solly-Flood) on the left, an attack was launched against it from Ablainzevelle, only to be stopped by fire. The bombardment was then renewed and widened so as to include the 62nd Divn (Major-General W.P. Braithwaite, C.R.A., Br.-General A.T. Anderson), still holding Bucquoy, which commands the ground on all sides. Soon after 9am attacks were made simultaneously without success against Hébuterne, Rossignol Wood and Bucquoy, held by the 4th Australian Brigade (Br. General C.H. Brand), the 187th Bde (Lieut.-Colonel C.K. James, acting), and 185th Bde (Br.-General Viscount Hampden) respectively. Elsewhere, too, the Germans displayed great activity and a concentration opposite the 186th Bde (Br.-General J.L.G. Burnett, between the 187th and 185th) was dispersed by the accurate divisional artillery barrage. Hardly had this been accomplished than an attack was made on the 126th Bde (Br.-General W.W. Seymour), on the extreme left. This was also dispersed by the combined fire of guns, machine guns and rifles. At 10.30am the Germans made a second attempt opposite the 186th Bde; time after time they advanced up on the open slope, only to fall and melt away. Undeterred by losses, at 11.15am large forces advanced from Logeast Wood against the 126th and 127th (Br.-General Hon. A.M. Henley) Bdes, where the troops left their trenches the better to mow down their opponents. Some Germans, nevertheless, managed to penetrate the line, but were expelled by an immediate counter-attack of the 6th and 8/Manchesters; they were all shot down except an officer and one man, who were taken prisoner. For three hours the enemy had been held off and it was not until between midday and 2pm that he gained a success, pushing through Rossignol Wood into the gap between the 4th Australian Brigade and the 187th Bde, thus forcing the right of the latter to fall back.' (Official History of the War, France and Belgium 1918, Volume 2 refers)

Company Sergeant Major Martin is buried in Gezaincourt Communal Cemetery, Somme.

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Sold for
£2,200