Rushden Research Group: PC E W Martin of Raunds

PC E W Martin

of Rushden and Raunds

The Rushden Echo 9th July 1915, transcribed by Kay Collins

Rushden Policeman Promoted in the Army
Police-constable Sawford, of Rushden, who recently joined the R.F.A., and has been transferred to the Scottish Rifles, has been promoted to be lance-corporal.
P.C. Mobbs and P.C. Martin, of Rushden, who joined the R.F.A., have also been transferred to the Scottish Rifles.

Rushden Argus, 24th August 1917, transcribed by Kay Collins

Rushden Policeman Wounded
We learn that Pte. Martin, late of Rushden Police Force, has been wounded in the recent fighting. This is the second wound he has sustained. He joined up with P.C.s Mobbs and Sawford, of Rushden, and is in the Scottish Rifles.

Rushden Echo, 7th September 1917, transcribed by Kay Collins

Policeman Wounded - P.C. E W Martin in Hospital – Injured in the Thigh
We regret to report the Pte E W Martin, of the Scottish Rifles, formerly of the Rushden Police Force, has been wounded in the left thigh, and he is now in hospital at Stourbridge, Worcestershire. The news was sent by the injured soldier himself to P.S. Brumby, to whom he gives the information that the wound is not serious, and that he is progressing favourably.

This is the second time that Pte Martin has been wounded, the former occasion being about twelve months ago. He joined up on May 1st, 1915, and has been in France about two years.

Rushden Policemen, research by Dave Thacker

Edward William Martin was born on 20/2/1893 at Oundle, the son of spinster Ada Martin, who later married Herbert Smith. In 1911 Edward was working as an agricultural labourer, living with his mother and step-father at Glapthorne. He joined Northamptonshire County Constabulary on 17/6/1914.

Edward was a PC at Rushden when he joined the Army in April 1915. He served as Private 19692 in the 9^th & 2^nd Battalions of the Scottish Rifles (Cameronians) throughout WW1. On 1/9/1917 page 3 of the Northampton Daily Echo included the following announcement re casualties:

“Martin, Pte, Scottish Rifles, late of the Rushden Police Force; wounded in France".

(He may have been the Private Martin who the Northampton Mercury mentioned on 14/9/1917 as having been one of the wounded soldiers being treated at Duston War Hospital who had recently won a prize for Indian basketry, i.e. occupational therapy, but due to the common surname that is unverified).

In late 1917 Edward married Renee Marion Mobbs (born 1892), who was a servant of the French Consul at Creaton. They had three children: Herbert Edward, born 19/4/1918 (who was a Constable on the Birmingham Force by 1939, and married Margaret Cooper on 3/7/1943 at West Bromwich); daughter Edna Marion, born 1921 (who married Kenneth James in Raunds on 25/9/1943); and George William, born 7/5/1925.

Having been discharged from the Army in June 1919, Edward resumed post as a Constable. In 1939 he was serving at Raunds. When his two oldest children married in 1943, the newspaper reports listed his address as Heger, London Road, Raunds. He retired on 29/2/1944. When he died on 1/5/1964, at Park Hospital in Wellingborough, his address for Probate was 44 London Road, Raunds. His widow Renee died 29/10/1972.

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