Martin, Edward Jones - Fusilier

(No soldier photo available)

2/5th. Bn. Lancashire Fusiliers

Died 17 July 1944

Age 28

The 2/5th. Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, landec_ on the Normandy beaches on 26 June 1944. On 16 July the supported the 5th. East Lancashire Regiment in an attack on the German held village of Landet, in the 'bocage' country near Vipers Bocage. Both battalions came under heavy fire from German tanks. The positions of Fusilier Edward Martin's company, in particular, were saturated with artillery and mortar fire from well concealed posts in the hedgerows. The company tried to advance, but failed, and they had to retire. In four days of fighting, two officers and 12 men were killed, Edward being one, and 152 men were wounded.

Edward was the son of Beatrice Martin and the stepson of Albert Walton. He was the husband of Mary. Edward was 28. As a child he went to St.Michael's Church and School in Lumb-inRossendale. He worked at Shawclough Dyeworks, Scoutbottom, until he joiner the Army in 1943. He moved to Haslingden when he got married. He then attended Beaconsfield Street Independent Methodist Church.

Edward is buried in Fontenay-le-Pesnel War Cemetery, France. The cemetery contains 460 Commonwealth burials from the fighting in the area. Edward lies in Plot 5, Row A, Grave20.