A Lewisman's Service in London

Lieut. William A Martin

LIEUT. MARTIN has been a prominent figure in Highland circles in London for many years, and no one has done more for recruiting in the Metropolis. In the old days in Stornoway he was a gunner in the 1st Ross Artillery Volunteers, and for twenty years (1892—1912), he acted as recruiting sergeant for the London Scottish. During the war period he devoted all his energies to work in the national service.

For three years (1914-17) he was recruiting officer for his old regiment, and to him belongs the honour of raising the 2nd and 3rd Batts. of the London Scottish as well as the London Contingent sent to the Highland Brigade at Bedford.

Lieut. Martin came into prominence through a dispute with War Office officials over the raising of extra battalions for the Territorial Army, which ended in his complete vindication, the War Office being compelled to admit that he was in the right.

The affair had the publicity of a discussion in the House of Commons in April. 1917. In the course of the debate the Under Secretary for War (Mr Macpherson) paid a very high tribute to Lieut. Martin, who, he said, was "one of the best men the country had produced, and in his special capacity unequalled by any officer in the Army at home. He had excelled in organisation and did wonders in recruiting, and his retirement was a great loss to the Army."

To Lieutenant Martin's determination is very largely due the fact that the Territorial Battalions were sent to France many months before Kitchener's Army was moved. The Territorial 2nd Battalions and the drafts sent from them to the 1st Battalions were months ahead of the New Army in training and soldierly qualities.

But his war service did not confine itself to recruiting. He worked out a system of checking supplies, etc., which put his Battalion at the top of the list as far as Quartermaster's work was concerned. For efficiency and economy Lieutenant Martin's unit took first place in the London district, which itself was first among all the Home units. Excellent as was his Army work, however, it was second in importance to his task at the Ministry of Shipping, where during 1917-18 he was chief assistant to Sir Norman Leslie in organising and directing the convoy system.