Canada. A First War Pair to the 75th Infantry Battalion

A First War Pair to the 75th Canadian Infantry - British War Medal (240157 PTE. R. MARTIN. 75-CAN. INF.); and Victory Medal (240157 PTE. R. MARTIN. 75-CAN. INF.). Naming is officially impressed. Unmounted, very crisp detail, polished, light contact, original ribbons, near extremely fine. Accompanied by copies of his Index Cards, Attestation Paper, Partriculars of Family of an Officer or Man Enlisted in C.E.F. Form, Service Records and Medical Records. Footnote: Richard Martin was born on July 1, 1880 (although his Index Card indicates 1871) in Bolton, Lancashire, England. He signed his Attestation Paper with the 205th Infantry Battalion "Hamilton Tiger Battalion" on March 17, 1916 in Hamilton, Ontario, naming his wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Martin of Lancaster, England as his next-of-kin, stating that he had no previous military service, that he was married and that his trade was that of Polisher. He also had one 14 year old daughter, Beatrice Ellen Martin. The Battalion was raised and mobilized in Hamilton under the authority of G.O. 69, July 15, 1916. On December 20, 1916, the 205th was redesignated a Draft Depot for the Canadian Machine Gun Corps. Soon after, Martin was transferred to the 164th Battalion "Halton and Dufferin Battalion" on February 21, 1917. The Battalion sailed from Halifax, Nova Scotia on April 11, 1917 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel P. Domville with a strength of 26 officers and 710 other ranks, including Martin, arriving in England on April 22nd and taken on strength at East Sandling. The day after, he was transferred to the 2nd Canadian Reserve Battalion and was there four weeks before he was struck off strength to the 75th Infantry Battalion on May 17th. He was taken on strength by the 75th on the 18th, joining them in the field in France on the 21st. He would remain in the French theatre for the remainder of the war, until returning to England upon the ceasing of hostilities. Martin was granted fourteen days leave on April 10, 1919 and struck off strength on being retained in England, for return to Canada with his dependents (wife and child). He was struck off strength to the 1st Canadian Overseas Reserve Depot on April 25th, then was "On Command" at the Canadian Discharge Depot at Buxton on May 24th. Martin was discharged from active service on July 8, 1919.