CHARLES (THE SON) GOES TO WAR
Charles (eldest son) had been working as a farm labourer from the age of 14. Life would change for the family after he joined the British Army in 1916 to fight in World War I. When the war began there were plenty of young volunteers willing to serve King and Country. Lord Kitchener's poster campaign stating "YOUR COUNTRY NEEDS YOU" encouraged men to join up. Despite over one million enlisting it was not enough to keep pace with mounting casualties on the Western Front. As a consequence the Government introduced conscription in January 1916. At first single men between 18 and 41 were affected. Conscientious objectors, men who objected to fighting on moral grounds, were often sent to the front to perform civilian jobs and non-fighting roles. Conscription later expanded to include married and older men. The medically unfit, clergymen and certain industrial workers were exempted.
Charles Martin found himself at the Battle of the Somme where British and French forces faced soldiers from the German Empire. Conditions were horrific. Heavy rain created swamp-like conditions and it was difficult to stay warm when the temperature fell below freezing. There was a sustained bombardment of shells, constant danger from machine guns and artillery, and gas attacks to contend with. Disease also took hold in the trenches. 18th November 1916 was officially the last day of the Battle of the Somme and also the day when Charles Martin was sadly killed just south of Serre. The battle ended after 141 days by which time over three million men had fought with more than one million being killed or wounded.
War Diary
This Intelligence Summary recorded events on the battlefield...
"17/11/16
Day passed without remarkable incident: some enemy shelling. After dusk 2/LT BARKER & 12 men from A Coy reinforced 2/LT GROUND at LEFT POST in MUCK TRENCH - orders having been received to main attack TRIANGLE in conjunction with main frontal attack of 32nd Divn on left - and also to make a good junction of MUCK TR: in LEAVE ALLEY.
18/11/16
During night 17/18 the MG Team at LEFT POST in MUCK TR: was knocked out by a shell, the officer in charge (2/LT GREY, 111th MG Coy) & nearly all the team being killed.
Zero hour for 32nd Divn's attack was 6.10am - at which hour our various parties attacked their objectives. All made good, with exception of 2/LT BARKER'S party, which was strongly opposed and unable to enter LEAVE AV. owing to failure of RIGHT of 32 Divn attack - our parties had to be again withdrawn - 2/LT W.D. BARNES being killed - & various other casualties being sustained.
19/11/16
Again orders attack TRIANGLE (night 18/19) - this time with 2 Coys in frontal attack. This plan eventually modified to 2 strong Officers' Patrols under 2/LT R C BAMBRIDGE & 2/LT HEYWOOD - with previous artillery bombardment."