Martin Francis Richard Merrison Lt 62303
Personnel Entry
[[Image:|thumb|alt=Captain F R M Martin|Captain F R M Martin]]
Name Martin Francis Richard Merrison
Army number 62303
Rank Lt
Decorations M.C. - 14/2/1946, Territorial Efficiency Medal - 4/3/1947
Date of birth 31/7/1912, Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne.
Age 77 at the time of his death.
Unit Commissioned in the the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers 2/2/1934 and posted to the 5th Battalion. Transferred to The Durham Light Infantry 1/7/1938 and posted to the 8th Battalion. Posted to the 11th Battalion 1/9/39. Embarked from the UK 25 - 26/4/1940 and served in France with the B.E.F. Wounded. Taken Prisoner of War 20/5/1940 near Ficheux. Returned to the UK 1945. Relinquished Commission on grounds of disability 12/8/1946. From Active List became Major 8/8/1949. Ceased TARO liability on age grounds 19/9/1962, retaining the honorary rank of Major.
Company/Battery HQ Company, D Company.
Platoon or other sub-unit
Task or role Company Commander.
Joined Brigade 01-Sep-39.
Promotions T/Captain, Captain 11/4/1945, Major 8/8/1947.
Wounded
Prisoner of War Yes - held in Eichstatt O6B/O7B. PoW Number 15654.
Died/Killed in action Died 3/2/1990 at Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne. Probate granted at Newcastle Registry on 15/3/1990.
Home address Father - Arthur Kemp Martin, mother - Mary (nee Butcher). Attended Durham School 1926 - 1929 and achieved OTC Cert. A. Lived with family in 1934 at 18, Osborne Avenue, then 1937 at 38, Highbury, and 1945 26 Grosvenor Place, Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne. Married Doreen Margaret Ingram Besley in July 1936 in Northumberland South District.
Source table 11DLI
We could not trace a "McGregor Card" for this Officer in DCRO thus resulting in more limited information about him. Family input - via Richard Martin - eventually became available and proved invaluable. It was much appreciated and added significantly to the contents of this Page. In addition a copy of Captain Martin's Wartime Diary had been transcribed and the text has been saved and incorporated appropriately into the Battalion War Diary for the period spent in Northern France. This has provided a unique insight into the detailed movements of his Company and includes helpful mentions of other Battalion Personnel. It is hoped that this and other artefacts will be able to be lodged in the DLI Collection at Durham County Record Office in due course.