Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Charles was raised in Broken Hill by his mother Frances Whyatt and father James’s Henry Martin. Charles worked as a general labourer. His worked in this profession until his enlistment for war in February 1915 at the age of 22 years.
 
James fought as a WW1 soldier as a member of the 27th battalion, alongside his battalion he fought in various battles and undertook many challenges. His journey began in March of 1915 on the HMAT A7 also known as ‘the Medic’ . Initially he trained in South Australia and undertook his induction course in June of 1915. Their training in Egypt consisted of rougher and harsher training days, from sunrise to sunset these men advanced around the pyramids participating in various forms of preparation. Days and nights were spent marching up and down the Nile River learning to adapt in new environments and endure new tactics. Two long months were spent in these conditions before taking the second step on their journey proceeding to Gallipoli. They arrived in Gallipoli on September the 12th 1915.The time on Gallipoli was spent assisting various battalions in various actions, where they were given the chance to apply their training directly. This occurred for three months before they travelled back to Egypt, where they had the chance to recoup, they remained stationed here for four months.
 
On April the 7th they arrived back in France supporting Britain on the frontlines; here they stayed competing in their first major battle. The battle of Pozieres involved the strong use of bombs suffering various artillery attacks, the Second division took over from the First division on the 29th of July 1916 undergoing two bombardments by the Germans. They left the frontlines on the 5th of August 1916 before going back to compete in minor battles in France.
 
Subsequently to their time in battles, Charles, alongside his battalion endured one of the most gruesome battles known in WW1. He fought in and out of the frontlines of the Fleurs (located in Somme Valley), consistently for nine days before being admitted to hospital due to trench foot. Shortly after his return the battle concluded, which took place on the 17th of November 1916. Their time was spent travelling back to England where they remained here until the 17th of February in 1917, on this date Charles received a three-day punishment and a day’s less pay for committing AWL (Absent Without Leave). Four days post his absentee, his battalion travelled back to France carrying their new skills and capabilities with them, they worked in the third defence line which was a break from their typical frontline fighting. In March 1917 they travelled back to England recouping, retraining, and resting, their resting period concluded in July 1917 when they were required to travel back to France. In late April 1918, Charles and his battalion advanced to the frontlines of the German spring offensive battle, this which lasted two weeks before Charles got sick on May the 11th and gets placed into a field hospital in France, he goes to various field hospitals until the 18th when Charles parts way with his battalion, embarking for England, on the HS panorama.
On the 19th of May Charles was diagnosed with chronic Otis Media, suffering challenges in his ears, despite his overall health Charles was deemed medically unfit to continue fighting in the frontlines, although he stayed in London his battalion continued to fight in the frontlines of the Somme valley.  Due to his illness, Charles was never to return to France. He worked in depos all around London, mainly in Dartford, Weymouth and Tadworth. He predominately provided support for the soldiers, but he also participated in other chores including supply management, control of quality, loading and unloading and maintenance and repair.

During his time in London, he got married, this occurred on the 9th of August 1918, at the age of 26 he married May Sophia Garret in Sutton at Hone. He was known to work in the depot from May the 19th 1918 to the 3rd of October 1919 when he was discharged from war for being ‘medically unfit’ due to the increase of severity of his hearing condition.

There is a lack of information about Charles after he got demobilised from the war, however he was known to not return to Australia. This could have been for various reasons, but it is assumed that he decided to remain in London after he left the Australian military to live with his newfound wife.