Gunner Tom Leonard Franklyn Martin
2nd Brigade, Canadian Garrison Artillery
30/09/1918

Family History

Tom Leonard Franklyn Martin was the son of Wentworth Henry Martin and Annie Jane Valpy (Martin). Tom's family was well known in Ottawa. His father was a successful businessman who built a tailoring and cleaning firm. He was one of the earliest members of St John the Evangelist Church when it was located on Sussex Street, a founding member of Grace Church when it was started in 1890, and then one of the participants when both churches merged in 1912.

The Martin Family has a fascinating history. They came to Canada from the Channel Islands in the English Channel, off the coast of Normandy. Wentworth and Annie were both from here. Wentworth's father was a British Naval Officer serving on a British Steamship (Dasher). Despite that allegiance and the proximity of the Channel Islands to Great Britain, these islands were and are independent* and have a significant influence, too, from France.

Wentworth's and Annie's families were members of the Church of England (Anglican) at St. Martin's Paris, Jersey. French influence is shown by many of the parish records written in French. One such document, sadly, in 1873 lists Wentworth's father, Tom Bowden Martin, as dying from "Gastric Fever." Wentworth was just 13, and he had to grow up quickly to adjust to the loss of his father and the impact it had on his family.

It's hardly surprising that when Wentworth emigrated to Canada, he first went to Gaspé, Quebec. He was 16 then, and his decision was likely motivated to make a life for himself and take some burden from his mother. His likely ability to speak French and English made Canada a strong candidate for him to relocate. He initially worked for Robins Collas Company, a commercial fishing company. Living on an island in the English Channel also would have made this an intense match.

While growing up in the Channel Islands, he likely knew his future bride. He travelled back and forth a few times as he appears in 1881 when he would have been about 21 to live (or visit) in his uncle's household in the Channel Islands.

By 1880 he was living in Montreal, Quebec and working for the Mark Fisher Company, an importer of Woolen Garments. This introduction to the clothing industry proved to be a significant event for the career of Wentworth Martin.
Significant as well was the marriage of Wentworth Martin to Annie Jane Valpy in Montreal in 1886. The couple located to Ottawa shortly after that to begin their family and what would become a very successful career for Wentworth in the clothing business in Ottawa, where he established himself as the city's leading cleaning service for clothing and dying, skills he undoubtedly learned while in Montreal. He worked briefly with P C Auclair, a local tailor, before taking over the firm and beginning his own successful business - W.H. Martin & Son ( the son was W.F. Bowden Martin.) Other companies run were My Wardrobe and My Valet, which catered to professional men looking to maintain an optimal appearance.

Church and Community History

The Martin family quickly found St John the Evangelist Church at its early location on Sussex St., and they became members. Interestingly, they later moved to the section of Ottawa where Grace Church began in 1890. They were founding members. They were still part of the parish at Grace Church in 1912 when it merged with St John the Evangelist Church and adopted the name of their former parish.

The Martin Children

The Martins had seven children:

1. Wentworth Francis Bowden Martin 1887 - 1968 - As the eldest son, Wentworth entered the family business, which he eventually took over. He married Melissa Grace Quakenbush.
2. Vera Marjorie Carteret Martin 1890 - 1960. Vera married Frederick Headford Bindon, and they relocated to Toronto.
3. Gordon Radford Martin 1892 - 1893 - Gordon died at 1-year-old of Cholera Infantum. He was buried at Beechwood Cemetery.
4. Hazel Mary Louise Martin 1893 - 1974 - Hazel married William P Delaney and lived in Michigan in the USA. She is buried in Scarborough near Toronto.
5. Tom Leonard Franklyn Martin 1897 - 1918, with whom this article will conclude.
6. Sidwell Alexander Valpy Martin 1899 - 1950 - Sidwell married Helen Margaret Patricia Haggerty. He became a prominent attorney in the Ottawa community before dying relatively young. His funeral was conducted at St. John's.
7. Roma Claudia Kathleen Martin 1903 - 1956 - Roma married Ernest Weatherly, and they relocated to Vancouver, where she was buried.
So Wentworth and Annie had 3 daughters and 4 sons.

Tom's Military Service and death

Tom Leonard Franklyn Martin was the 3rd son and 5th child born to the Martin Family. He enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces on September 23, 1916, at 19. At the time of his enlistment, he was living at the Westminster Apartments in Ottawa. He was already involved in the war effort as he was working as a clerk at the Imperial Munitions plant in Ottawa. His family lived then on O'Connor Street, within walking distance of St. John the Evangelist Church.

Tom went to England in April 1917, where he trained in the camps of Shorncliffe.** In November 1917, he was transferred to his unit in the field.

Tom's service was unremarkable in many ways, as his service record has little detail other than routine entries. On the 30th of September, 1918, Tom was mortally wounded on the battlefield and died of his wound.

He was buried at Étaples, Departement du Pas-de-Calais, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France.

His family's care and sorrow over his loss were evident by the presence of a special plaque placed in his home church in what is now the back of the sanctuary, to the left when facing the back toward Elgin Street. His name was also included on the WWI Killed in Action soldiers list in the Warrior's Chapel.

In addition, because of the close ties that remained between the Martin Family and the Channel Islands, Tom's name is included on the Roll of Honour for their Parish in the Channel Islands and the Channel Islands Remembrance documents for those lost in Military Conflict.

Church Plaques in Ottawa

 

©Barton Breen 2023
Volunteer historian and genealogist at an Anglican Church in Ottawa, ON, Canada

*Crown Dependencies
** Near Dover in England