Russell Garfield Martin was born the 21st of May, 1887 in Brock Township, Ontario, Canada. He was a school teacher before signing up to the army. Russell was a son of Henry and Catherine Martin and a brother to Hugh, Henrietta, Euphemia and Albert. He was the youngest of the 5 children. Russell and his parents lived at 711 Bethune street Peterborough Ontario Canada. Russell was 5 feet 6 inches tall and 125 pounds. He had black hair, blue eyes and a medium complexion. Martin’s religious beliefs were presbyterian.

 

At the age of 28, Russell enlisted into the 182nd Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force on 10th May 1916 at Beaverton. His regimental number was 868230. He served in the C.E.F for approximately 4 years until dying of influenza at the age of 32 on February 12, 1919. Russell died at Number 9 Military Hospital, Kinmel Park. He was buried in St. Margaret’s Cemetery, Bodelwyddan, North Wales with a grave number of 488. Private Russell Garfield Martin was Listed in the Virtual War Memorial on page 539 and mentioned in The Book Of Remembrance between 1914-1918 with his name on page nine.

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After basic training in Canada, Russell would have embarked for England where he completed his training before being deployed.

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With the recruiting success of the 116th Battalion, it was determined the Ontario County could support a second Battalion. The 182nd Battalion was authorized on July 15, 1916. It embarked for England on May 3, 1917 but unlike the 116th Battalion, members of the 182nd were absorbed by other units in order to provide reinforcements to the Canadian Expeditionary Force. The Battalion was disbanded in September 1917.

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The 1891 census for Canada on Ancestry.co.uk reveals that the Martin family were living in the Village of Cannington, Ontario. Head of the household was Henry Martin age 46 born 1844 in Ontario, a Stone Mason by trade. His wife, Catherine age 49 born 1841 and their children, Hugh age 19 a Farm Labourer, Henrietta age 17, Euphemia age 15, Albert age 11 and Russell Garfield age 3.