Martin, Henry

Sergeant-Operator Henry Martin

Martin was born at Balteagh (townland) on 9th September 1915 to Thomas Martin, Farmer and Sarah Martin nee Gracey. They had married on 31st January 1916 at St. Barnabas Church of Ireland, Belfast.  

Following his education at Lurgan Technical College and Renfrew's College, Martin joined the bank in 1936 working in Head Office, Ballina, Head Office (again) and Banbridge branches.

He volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Air Force (VR) with service number 950327.

Martin was serving as a wireless operator / air gunner with 99 Squadron RAF (VR) when he was killed in action on 29th September 1941 aged 26.

The Belfast Telegraph of 2nd October 1941 reports:

It is reported elsewhere that:

28/29.09.1941. No. 99 Squadron Wellington IC Z8869 Sgt. Watt and crew.

Mission: Frankfurt

Date: 28/29th September 1941 (Sunday/Monday)

Unit: No. 99 Squadron

Type: Wellington IC

Serial: Z8869

Code: LN-?

Base: R.A.F. Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire.

Location: Great Finborough, Suffolk.

Pilot: Sgt. John Sydney Ferguson Watt 1052238 R.A.F.V.R. Age ? Killed

Pilot 2: Sgt. John Duncan Broadley NZ403937 R.N.Z.A.F. Age 23. Killed

Obs: Sgt. John Weir Humphrey R/65191 R.C.A.F. Age 20. Killed

W/Op/Air/Gnr: Sgt. Henry Martin 950327 R.A.F.V.R. Age 26. Killed

W/Op/Air/Gnr: Sgt. John Kenneth Whitfield 945230 R.A.F.V.R. Age 26. Killed

Air/Gnr: Sgt. David Richardson 1379034 R.A.F.V.R. Age 29. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Taking off at 19.11 hrs from R.A.F. Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire to attack the German city of Frankfurt - no further details as to the success of the operation but a disaster in particular for 99 Squadron and the allies in general losing some eight aircraft of the 30 Hampdens and 14 Wellingtons sent.

Wellington Z8869 had completed the operation, returning collided with a line of trees, exploding and crashing at 00.55 hrs at Stone Farm, Great Finborough, Suffolk.  A large haystack was also destroyed in the blaze.  No details as to what cased this but probably due to poor weather and low fuel. 

Martin is buried in Ringshall (St Catherine) Churchyard - row B.

Acknowledgements to CWGC

Acknowledgements to Aircrew Remembered 

The NatWest Group Archives website has published this information:

Henry Martin was born on 9 September 1915, the son of Tom and Sarah Martin. In April 1935 he went to work for Ulster Bank at its head office in Belfast. He moved to Ballina branch in March 1938, back to head office in October 1938 and back again to Ballina branch in April 1939. Five months later he moved to Banbridge branch.

In May 1940 Martin left the bank to go on war service, joining the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Sergeant Martin died on active service on 29 September 1941. He was 26 years old.

Henry Martin is commemorated on two memorials at Ulster Bank’s Belfast head office: its roll of honour for staff who served in the Second World War and its memorial for those who fell.