THE MARTIN FAMILY |
It is tragic that the
direct hit by a German High Explosive bomb on the Downhills shelter in Lordship Recreation
Ground was responsible for the loss of so many lives and for the dreadful injuries, stress
and trauma for both the survivors and relatives of the dead and injured. Obviously this
was a very harrowing experience for everyone who lost family and friends on that day in
September 1940. We have received a number of accounts of the events of that night and for
many there were unfortunate circumstances, which caused them to use the shelter that
night. However for one family in particular
it had a most devastating impact for seven of their family members were killed in the
tragedy.
We are fortunate to
have been contacted by Gordon and Eve Martin who have been able to provide some more
information on the events surrounding the deaths of the Martin family. It was the brothers of Gordon’s father, Sidney and
Alfred Martin, who were in the shelter that night and they were quite a large family. The
following persons lost their lives
| NAME | AGE | ADDRESS |
| Sidney Martin | 38 | 39 Napier Road, Tottenham |
| Hilda Martin | 34 | Ditto |
| Hilda Mary Martin | 2 | Ditto |
| Alfred Martin | 44 | 140 Clonmell Road, Tottenham |
| Emily Martin | 44 | Ditto |
| Laurie Martin | 19 | Ditto |
| William Martin | 17 | Ditto |
They all died in the shelter tragedy apart from Emily
Martin who was brought out injured but sadly died two months later.
Sidney Martin with Daughter Mary - 1939 |
Hilda Martin with daughter (Hilda) Mary - 1939 |
We now understand that the two brothers Alfred and
Sidney and their families were due to go on holiday together the following day and that
appears to be the reason the two families were together in the shelter that night. The
following day Gordon’s Aunt (their Sister), was informed of the tragedy by Inspector
Patterson of Tottenham Police Station who happened to be a friend and neighbour of hers.
They also understood from this Aunt that all those killed in the shelter that night were
taken to Tottenham Football Ground for formal identification. The graves of the two
brothers and their families are side by side in Tottenham Cemetery.
Martin Family graves - Tottenham Cemetery (Not legible on this photograph but the inscription at the foot of the Headstone to the right reads 'Never Forgotten by their son Alfred) |
We are also informed that there was an older son of
Alfred and Emily Martin who did not go down the shelter that night, an Alfred Martin
(named after his father) who could possibly have been in the forces. The only reason for
thinking this is because on his parents gravestone there is a inscription --"Never
forgotten by their son Alfred"
It is believed that the rest of the Martin Family never knew what
eventually happened to young Alfred, which is so very sad.
The final part of this tragedy is that none of the Martin family, who perished in the Downhills Shelter, are listed on the memorial for Tottenham’s Civilian War Dead in Tottenham Cemetery. It is shameful that brave people should be overlooked in this way and we are determined to put the record straight.
THEY WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN.
