Sergeant Martin Brennan.
5528 1st East Lancashire Regiment.
Killed in Action 8th November 1914, aged 35.
Martin was born 10 Nov 1879 in Burnley, Lancs., son of Martin Brennan and Elizabeth Gordon. He was baptised 7th Dec 1879 in St Mary’s Church, Burnley.
1881 Census reads: Martin Brennan 32 Spinner Cotton born in Ireland, Mary 28 Cotton Worker born in Liverpool, Richard 8, Christopher 6, Martin 17 months all born in Burnley. Flora Martin, mother of Martin snr., 70 born in Ireland, living in Barden Lane, Burnley.
1891 census reads: Martin 40, Elizabeth 38, Michael 16, Mary E 14, Martin 12 living at 23 Ashworth St. Burnley.
In Nov. 1897 Martin enlisted in the 1st Battalion of the East Lancs Regt., Private 5528 in the Mounted Infantry. At the time he was living in Reedley Hallows, Burnley. He took part in the Boer War and was wounded on the 22 April 1901 at Cyferkuil.
Martin married Mary Ann Hayden in Ireland 1904. They had 5 children, Susan, Mary, Agnes, Ellen and Martin between 1905 and 1911.
Still in the army at the time of the 1911 census he was stationed at Inkerman Barracks, Woking, Surrey.
From The Express and Advertiser dated 25 November 1914: ANOTHER THRILLING STORY.
...........................during our night attack on the 7th, when we recovered the trenches, and during next day we lost Captain Cane in the assault and 2nd Lt Ward in the trenches, shot through the head as he was digging out his trench. Being a tall youth, his head showed above the parapet, and a sniper got him at once. We lost Sergeants Barnes, Brennan, and Noden in the assault all good men. 20 men killed and 46 wounded.......................
From The Express and Advertiser dated 28th November 1914: SERGEANT BRENNAN'S DEATH. PROMOTED IN THE BOER WAR.
Two references have appeared in our columns relating to the death in Action of Sgt Martin Brennan number 5528 of the first East Lancashire Mounted Infantry, and these happened to form the only notification his relatives have yet had as to his death. It will be remembered that on Wednesday of last week we quoted a letter written by Corporal T Barnes of the first East Lancashire Regiment, in which he described how his brother Sergeant John Barnes was killed. He also mentioned that four Sergeants including "Chick" Brennan had been killed in the same trenches.
Sgt Brennan's relatives have now kindly lent us the only photograph of him they have in their possession. As stated by us, Sergeant Brennan was a native of the Burnley Lane District. He went through the Boer War during which he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. He leaves a widow and seven children, who live at Colchester, but a number of his relatives still live in Burnley.
Martin left his effects to his widow Mary Anne.
Martin lived at 105 Ardwick St., Burnley.
Martin is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium: Grave Ref; Panels 5 & 6.Son of the late Martin and Elizabeth Brennan; husband of Mary Ann Brennan, of 21, Clitheroe Rd., Brierfield, Burnley. Served in the South African Campaign.
