ERIC STANLEY MARTIN
From May through to September 2026, Andrew will be fulfilling his dream to hike the iconic Land’s End to John O’Groats! You are all warmly invited to follow Andrew’s epic journey on his Facebook page, “Andrew Beal LEJOG”: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577588795730
As Andrew hikes the 1,300+ miles, he will raise funds for the Ipswich War Memorial Project to help finance our future exhibitions and research of the brave Ipswich men and women who lost their lives in conflict. If you would like to make a small donation, please click on the link: https://gofund.me/5d4a50570
Thank you for your love and support. Andrew & Helen – I.W.M.P.
Born: 30th May 1921, Ipswich.
Died: 17th August 1942; age: 21; at sea.
Missing: 29th June 1942 – Western Desert. Previously reported Missing whilst Prisoner of War, now presumed Killed in Action whilst a Prisoner of War.
Residence: 288, Sidegate Lane, Ipswich.
Occupation: Plumber.
Rank: Private; Service Number: 10553572.
Regiment: Royal Army Ordnance Corps, 5 Ordnance Store Coy.
Memorial Reference:
Column 84.
El Alamein,
Matruh,
Egypt.
Relatives Notified & Address: Son of Mr & Mrs A. Martin, of Ipswich.
Father: Alfred Martin, born August 1886, Diss, Norfolk. A Journeyman Bricklayer.
Mother: Alice Martin (1st marriage Cross (nee Parker)), born July 1888, Crowfield, Suffolk.
Eric’s parents married in 1920 in Ipswich.
CENSUS
1921 186, Cauldwell Hall Road, Ipswich.
Baby Eric was 5 ½ weeks old and recorded as unnamed. He lived with his parents, brothers and stepsiblings.
Alfred Martin, 34 years & 10 months, a Bricklayer for Catchpole Builders.
Alice Cross Martin, 32 years & 11 months, Home Duties.
Constance May Cross, 9 years & 4 months, at School, born Ipswich.
Harry George Sidney Cross, 7 years & 10 months, at School, born Ipswich.
Cyril Alfred Martin, 2 years & 9 months old, born Ipswich.
Frederick Ernest Martin, 14 months old, born Ipswich.
ENGLAND & WALES REGISTER 1939
Eric was employed as a Plumber. He lived with his parents and siblings at the family home – 288, Sidegate Lane, Ipswich.
Alfred, a Bricklayer.
Alice, unpaid Domestic Duties.
Cyril, a Lorry Driver.
Doris Lousie Martin, a Tailor’s Machinist, born February 1923, Ipswich.
Hilda Irene Martin, an Underwear Silk Worker, born September 1924, Ipswich.
Dennis Roy Martin, at School, born July 1927, Ipswich.
Eric’s mother, Alice, was first married in 1911, Ipswich, to Harry George Cross, born 1882, in Coddenham, Suffolk – died October 1917, at Portman Street, Ipswich, after about ten days of illness. Harry had entered the employ of the Ipswich Corporation in 1907, and was first employed as a conductor, and eventually as a motorman. He was greatly respected by all his workmates and friends. Two inspectors and two motormen acted as bearers at the funeral which took place Saturday, 27th October.
17th August 1942
The MV Nino Bixio, an Italian troop transport ship, was torpedoed on Monday, 17th August 1942 at 16:33hrs in the Mediterranean Sea between Libya and Sicily, by the British submarine H.M.S. Turbulent.
The POWs were divided alphabetically by surname: A–L aboard Sestriere and M–Z aboard Nino Bixio. At the time, the Nino Bixio was carrying 3000 Prisoners of War captured in North Africa.
The Nino Bixio was hit by two torpedoes. The first detonated in the hold containing the prisoners, killing a large number of men. The second hit the engine room, and a third failed to detonate but badly damaged her rudder, disabling her steering. The casualties were taken up onto the deck and attended to by medical officers. The stricken Nino Bixio was towed by an escorting destroyer until it reached Navarino, southern Greece. There, the dead were buried, and the remaining POWs were taken via Corinth to a prisoner-of-war camp on the outskirts of Bari, Italy. Of the 3000 POWs, 300 were killed, including 117 New Zealanders. Eric is believed to have died onboard.
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