Private Richard Martin. 

12564 8th East Lancashire Regiment.

Died of Wounds 17th November 1916, aged 24.

Richard was born in the March quarter of 1892 in Burnley. The son of Richard Martin and Mary Gorden. In the 1901 census the family lived at 26 Hatter St, Burnley. Mary 34 weaver born in Wolverhampton, Sarah 16 weaver, Richard 10, Jane 7, Mary 5, William 2 and kate 2 months.

In the 1911 census Richard and his brothers and sisters were  living at 3 River St with their grandmother Catherine Gorden (73) born in Ireland. Richard 20 miner, Mary weaver, William 13, Catherine 11, Joseph 4, and Jane 17 weaver.

Richard married Mary Duggan in the March quarter of 1915 in Burnley.

From the Burnley Express dated 23rd December 1916: BURNLEY BROTHERS WOUNDED TWICE.

Two Brothers Private Richard Martin and Private William Martin, both of the East Lancashire Regiment have been wounded for a second time, but in the case of Richard Martin though officially reported wounded, his whereabouts are not known, and his wife would be glad of any information.

Private Richard Martin, 12564, was 25 years old last Wednesday. His wife lives in Keppel Street, and has become anxious as she has not not heard from him for over 5 weeks. According to the official notification he was wounded on November 17th. He enlisted on August 30th 1914, and went out in July 1915. He was previously wounded on July 7th last. Private R Martin was formerly a Collier at Towneley Colliery and attended St Marys Roman Catholic Church. He has never had a furlough since going out in July last year.

 Private William Martin, his brother 18846, is single and resided with his parents at 3 River Street. He is only 18 years of age but has been in the army now for a year and 10 months, enlisting in February 1915.  He went out last May and has been previously wounded in the shoulder. He formerly worked at Messrs Hartley Spencer's Heald Works, Stanley Street.

From the Burnley Express dated 1st August 1917: BURNLEY COLLIERS FATE. SECOND WOUND PROVE FATAL.

 In December last we published photographs of two Burnley brothers who had been wounded twice, these being Private Richard Martin and Private William Martin of the East Lancashire Regiment, where respectively at 1 Keppel Street and 3 River Street.  At that time Richard was also posted missing and his wife has now received word from the war office that his death has been presumed to have taken place on November 17 last, the day on which he was missed. Private (12564) Richard Martin was in the 8th East Lancashire Regiment, enlisting on August 30th 1914 and going out in the following July.  He was wounded on July 7th 1916, and did not get to come home, being sent back to the firing line and meeting is death 4 months later. He was a Collier at Towneley Pit, and attended St Mary's Roman Catholic Church. He was aged 25 years.

Lived at 3 River Street.

Richard left his effects to his widow Mary

Richard was buried in Redan Ridge Cemetery No.2 , Beaumont Hamel, France: Grave Ref; II.E.2.