Birth
Leonard Sidney born fourth quarter of 1879 in Frome, Somerset, England1.
Baptism
At St Mary, Frome on 16 November 1879. Parents recorded as Charles Ebenezer (postman) and Elizabeth Ann MARTIN of Christchurch Street, Frome [Somerset]2.
1881 Census
Aged 1, born 1880, residing at 4 Christ Church Street, Frome with parents and siblings Mary A. (age 5) and Hubert (age 3). (Hubert emigrated to Canada)
1891 Census
Aged 11 residing at 16 Gentle Street, Frome with parents and additional siblings of Ethel F (age 7) and Godfrey C (age 5).
1901 Census
Age 21, single, occupation carpenter living at 26 Alma Street, Bristol, Gloucestershire with uncle Alfred and family.
Leonard Sidney Martin
Marriage
To Emily Hannah MAY in the 2nd quarter of 1905 in Bath, Somerset3.
Residence
Leonard and Emily are understood to have lived at 115 Coronation Avenue, South Twerton, Bath4.
Only Child
Gertrude Gladys born 3rd quarter of 1906 in Bath, Somerset.
1911 Census
Age 31, carpenter, living at 50 Claude Avenue, South Twerton, Bath, Somerset with wife Emily (age 31) and daughter Gertrude (age 4).
Gertrude, Emily and Leonard Martin
Family Emigrate to Australia
Leonard S. MARTIN, age 33, carpenter, wife Emily (age 34) and daughter Gladys G (age 7) depart port of London on the steamship Ballarat bound for the port of Adelaide, South Australia5. Date of arrival is not known.
Why did Leonard decide to take himself and his family to the other side of the world? Did they receive assisted passage? Having the skilled trade of carpenter would no doubt have been to his advantage.
Passenger Manifest of SS Ballarat
P&O Company SS Ballarat
Australian Residences
Cowandilla (outskirts of Adelaide), South Australia presumably on arrival in Australia. Much later at 25 Clarke Street, Vaucluse, Sydney, New South Wales. Gertrude Gladys BURTON nee MARTIN was living at 23 Second Avenue, Gymea in 1972 and in Belmore at the time of her death in 1989.
Leonard and Emily Martin
Family Lore
A family member once told me that great uncle Leonard owned/ran/worked an ostrich farm in Australia.
Visit to England
Leonard is said to have visited his cousin Dorothy MARTIN in his home county of Somerset in the late 1960s with the help of his son-in-law Oliver BURTON who it is said worked for Qantas Airline.
Emily’s Passing
Hannah Emily MARTIN died aged 78 on 16 February 1958 in Cowandilla, South Australia and her final resting place is the Centennial Park Cemetery, Pasadena, South Australia. The funeral announcement (below)6 also records her forenames in reverse.
Funeral Notice for Emily Martin
Leonard’s Death
Died age 92 on 23 January 1972 at the Vaucluse Nursing Home, Vaucluse, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia7. Privately cremated at the Eastern Suburbs Crematorium (overlooking Botany Bay) on 26 January, beloved husband of Emily (deceased), loving father and father-in-law of Gladys and Oliver BURTON and devoted grandfather of John8. Placed in Babcock Garden R11 on 6 April 19729.
Leonard Martin, John Burton (grandson) and Oliver Burton (son-in-law)
Probate
A copy of Leonard’s probate file has been obtained which reveals his final wishes and a copy of his death certificate10. Although the contents of the file are a matter of public record, I have chosen not to reveal those details.
Probate File for Leonard Sidney Martin
Leonard’s Descendant(s)
Looking to trace my great uncle Leonard’s grandson John BURTON (see above) and family.
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1 Findmypast.co.uk Transcription England & Wales Births 1837-2006
2 Frome St Mary Baptism 1873-1913 from Frome Hundred CMBs - Yahoo Groups
3 Findmypast.co.uk Transcription England & Wales Marriages 1837-2008
4 Aunt June of Derek Gough (MARTIN cousin) per email of 16 February 20065 Findmypast.co.uk Transcription Passenger Lists leaving UK 1890-1960
6 Courtesy of Margaret of the Adelaide Northern Districts Family History Group
7 Copy of death record registration no 1972/042825 dated 16 Jan 2006
8 Sydney Morning Herald - Thurs Jan 27, 1972 pg. 24 col. 2 (email dated 2007)
9 Eastern Suburbs Memorial Park Grounds & Records Officer (email dated 12 Aug 14)
10 State Records Office, New South Wales thanks to Jennie Fairs of The Surname Society
Gordon Martin
Member 1210
