Fred Hillier MARTIN

Fred Hillier MARTIN Update Details

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MARTIN, Fred Hillier

Service Number:	3417
Enlisted:	9 June 1916
Last Rank:	Private
Last Unit:	48th Infantry Battalion
Born:	Stansbury, South Australia, date not yet discovered
Home Town:	Stansbury, Yorke Peninsula, South Australia
Schooling:	Stansbury Public School, South Australia
Occupation:	Blacksmith
Died:	Killed in Action, Belgium, 20 October 1917, age not yet discovered
Cemetery:	No known grave - "Known Unto God"
Memorials:	Adelaide National War Memorial, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Menin Gate Memorial (Commonwealth Memorial to the Missing of the Ypres Salient), Stansbury Memorial Institute Roll of Honour, Stansbury War Memorial

World War 1 Service

9 Jun 1916:	Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 3417, 48th Infantry Battalion

Commendation for conspicuous bravery

At PASSCHENDAELE RIDGE on 12th October 1917, for conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. His splendid work in giving covering fire to his platoon in its retirement by daylight to another post saved many lives.

He carried his Lewis Gun safely back to our lines under very heavy artillery and M.G.fire.

Recommended by Major M.S. Brearley - immediate award

Brigadier General Commanding 12th Aust.Infranty Brigade. Ref. Army form w.3121 PDF 5515628

Fred was then killed in action on the 20 October 1917, or eight days later. He is recorded as being buried about 3/4 mile NNW of Polygon Wood and recorded as buried Panel B712.

NOTE: This commendation does not appear in his service records and I only found it by searching the history of the 48th Battalion. I suspect that the family never knew of the commendation, nothing was ever said of it. Fred died the same year as his father killed in a farm accident when my father was nine years old.

Reference Colin Hillier Martin RAAF shot down over Schweinfurt in February 1944.
Reference Leo Magnus Martin WX20297 2/28th Battalion WIA Busu River 10 September 1943.

LEST WE FORGET

Virtual
War Memorial
Australia