Commemorated: | |||
| 1. Memorial: | Freemasons VC Memorial | Great Queen Street | |
| 2. Book: | Beyond The Five Points | Pgs 162-164 | |
Awards & Titles: | Victoria Cross Companion of the Order of the British Empire Distinguished Service Order Mentioned in Despatches 1914 (Mons) Star British War Medal Victory Medal War Medal (1939-1945) | ||
Early Life :
For a detailed biography see more at VC Online and also Victoria Cross & George Cross Association VCGCA."Cyril Gordon Martin (1891-1980) was born at Foochow, China on 19th December 1891. His father was the Reverend John Martin, principal of the Church Missionary Society College in Foochow, China, later Examining Chaplain to the Bishop of Fuh-Kien and became vicar of Grandborough, near Rugby, in November 1916. His mother was Sarah Eliza nee Goldie, who was born in India. She was the daughter of an Indian Civil Service judge. After his mother died in 1894, he was brought up by two aunts at 12 Somerset Place, Bath. He had two brothers and two sisters (though one sister died in 1894). His father re-married in 1910 in Hong Kong and went on to have two more sons.
Cyril was educated at Hamilton House at Bath, Bath College and Clifton College, before training at the Royal Military Academy Woolwich. "
Service Life:
Campaigns:
- The First World War 1914-1918, World-wide.
- The Second World War 1939-1945, World-wide.
| Unit / Ship / Est.: Corps of Royal Engineers |
| Action : War Survivor |
Although many perished in times of national conflict and in the service of their country, many more survived including those interned as Prisoners of War. Stories of those who did survive are included as part of this site, especially those with high gallantry awards, those included against an external rolls of honour and those who had a distinguished career in wartime and military leaderhip.
Detail :
"He was commissioned on 23rd December 1911 and succeeded Lieutenant Philip Neame (later VC) in 56th Field Company at Bulford on Salisbury Plain. He was promoted to Lieutenant and arrived in France on 16th August 1914. For holding a post with his section at Le Cateau on 26th August, he was awarded the DSO (gazetted 9th November 1914). He was shot through the shoulder and bayoneted in the hand on this occasion and returned to England in October for more treatment.
Having recovered he returned to France on 21st February 1915, and less than a month later was involved in his VC action. On 12th March 1915 at Spanbroekmolen, Belgium, Lieutenant Martin volunteered to lead a small bombing party against a section of the enemy trenches which was holding up the advance. Before he started he was wounded, but, taking no notice, he carried on with the attack which was completely successful. He and his small party held the trench against all counter-attacks for two and a half hours until a general withdrawal was ordered.
He was gazetted for the VC on 19th April 1915, and received his VC from King George V at Buckingham Palace on 12th July 1915. While recuperating from his wounds, he was also presented with a sword of honour by the citizens of Bath in October 1915. He was then appointed Assistant Instructor, School of Military Engineering until May 1916. He then served with the Egyptian Army in various appointments until November 1925. He took part in operations in the Sudan against the Lau Nuer, in the Nyima Hills and in Nuba Mountains Province 1917-18. During Allenby’s Palestine campaign he served with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force in 1918.
He married Mabel nee Hingston at Chatham on 20th August 1917. His father performed the service. Mabel was the daughter of Major Edward Hingston who was killed in action in France in 1915 commanding the 54th Field Company RE. Cyril and Mabel had three children.
Back in Egypt he was attached to the Sudan Defence Force from January to July 1925 as Assistant Director of the Works Department. He was awarded the Order of the Nile, 4th Class on 21st September 1923. After nine years in Egypt and Sudan, he returned to take up the appointment of Assistant Instructor Field Works and Bridging, School of Military Engineering, Chatham on 15th July 1925 until 1928. He was promoted to Major later that year.
Cyril moved to India, where he took part in operations on the Northwest Frontier 1930-1931, where he was mentioned in despatches. He was appointed GSO2 India between 1933 and 1936. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in March 1936 and took part in operations on the Northwest Frontier of India 1936-37 for which he was awarded the CBE. He then commanded the Royal Engineers India from 1937-39. On 23rd April 1941 he was promoted to Acting Brigadier and Chief Engineer British Troops Iraq until February 1942. He held several other appointments in India before becoming ADC to the King from 1945-1946.
He retired from the Army in December 1946 and on 26th March 1947 was appointed Honorary Brigadier. He was employed by the Forestry Commission, served as Lieutenant in the Devon Army Cadet Force between 1951 and 1955 and was on the Committeee of the VC and GC Association."
Cyril was cremated at Eltham Crematorium, Surrey and his ashes were scattered over Pew Tor, Devon.
He is commemorated by his actions and his service at the National Arboretum, on the Royal Engineers Roll of Honour, Chatham and on the Freemason's Victoria Cross Memorial at Great Queen Street, London. He is also commemorated by a memorial plaque at St Brigit's Church, Bridestow, Devon.
Citations & Commemorations :
The citation for his Victoria Cross is recorded in the Second Supplement to the London Gazette 16th April, 1915. 19th April, 1915, Numb. 29135, p. 3815:"For most conspicuous bravery at Spanbroek Molen on 12th March, 1915, when in command of a grenade throwing party of six rank and file. Although wounded early in the action, he led his party into the enemy’s trenches and held back their reinforcements for nearly 2½ hours, until the evacuation of the captured trench was ordered."
Masonic :
| Type | Lodge Name and No. | Province/District : |
|---|---|---|
| Mother : | Khartoum No. 2877 E.C. | Egypt |
| Joined : | Lodge Jamrud No. 4372 E.C. | London |
| Joined : | Stewart No. 1960 E.C. | Punjab |
Initiated | Passed | Raised |
1st January 1922 | - | - |
Cyril joined Freemasonry most probably after 1921. His mother Lodge is Khartoum Lodge, but he joined Jamrud and Steward Lodge's too.
Source :
The project globally acknowledges the following as sources of information for research across the whole database:
- The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- The (UK) National Archives
- Ancestry.co.uk - Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History online
- ugle.org.uk - The records of the United Grand Lodge of England including the Library and Museum of Freemasonry
Additional Source:
- Founder Researchers : Paul Masters & Mike McCarthy
- Researcher : Bruce Littley