Have You a Tiger In Your Family?

Rank : Lieutenant Colonel

Unit : Ist Vol Bn, 5th Bn, 1/5th, 1/4th

Biography :

Educated at Eton College and King's College, Cambridge, Robert Martin was commissioned into 1st Volunteer Battalion The Leicestershire Regiment in 1900, and from 1908 served in 5th Bn (TF). Promoted Captain 16.7.1902 and Major 1913. Sailed to France with 1/5th Bn Leics Regiment in February 1915. Given command of the 1/4th Battalion in May 1915. He was badly wounded during fighting at Hohenzollern Redoubt, 13.10.1915. He recovered, but was unable to undertake further active service. He was awarded the C.M.G. (14.1.1916) and a Mention in Despatches. He was awarded of the Territorial Decoration (T.D.). On 8.6.1939 he was invested as a Knight Bachelor (K.B.) for his work as Chairman of the Leicestershire County Council 1924-39 (a post he held until 1960). He was a Deputy Lieutenant (D.L.) of Leicestershire, and was Vice-Lord-Lieutenant in 1949. He was also a Justice of the Peace (J.P.) for Leicestershire. He was made a Freeman of the City of Leicester on 3.1.1961. He died at his home in Woodhouse Eaves, Leicestershire, 13.6.1961, aged 86 years.
There is a brass memorial plaque to his memory in the Regimental Chapel in Leicester Cathedral. Items of his uniform are in the collection of Leicester City Museums Service.

This page was last edited on 11.6.2019.

Date of Birth : 1.12.1874

Date of Death : 13.6.1961

Place of Death : Woodhouse Eaves, Leics

Civil Occupation : County Councillor

Period of Service : 1900-18

Conflicts : WW1

Places Served : UK, France and Flanders