1921 Apr 21 Jack's father James Martin then of Jaunceys Cottages, Donnington, buried at Donnington Church aged 56 years.

1922 Oct 9 Admitted to Haffield Infants School, Donnington.

1927 Apr 14 Left Haffield School.

1927 Apr 26 Admitted to Dymock School, Glos., then living at Greenway, Donnington.

1929 Jun 24 Left Dymock School.

1929 Sep -- Jack and his mother move to a cottage near the centre of the village of Hanley Castle, Worcs.

1930/32 Jack and his mother move to Upton upon Severn, Worcs.

1936 Apr 28 Jack enlists in The Worcestershire Regiment at Norton Barracks, Worcester, describing himself as a farm labourer.

1936 Apr 30 Posted for basic training to Depot (Norton Barracks).

1936 Aug 26 Passes Education Cert. 3rd Class as Pte Martin at Norton Barracks.

1936 Oct 1 Posted to 1st Battalion Worcester Regiment based at Aldershot, Hants.

1938 Feb 17 Passes Education Cert. 2nd Class as Pte Martin of the 1st Battalion of The Worcester Regt. in English, Imperial Military History, Geography, Map Reading and Mathematics. Examination held at Aldershot.

1938 Apr -- Noted as Signaller in Pay Book. The Battalion move from Aldershot to London to take over custody of The Tower. Ceremonial guard duties etc. for three months.

1938 Jul -- The Battalion returns to Aldershot for weapons training and preparation for posting to Palestine.

1938 Aug -- Four weeks embarkation leave.

1938 Sep 15 The 1st Battalion Worcester Regiment sails from Southampton, Hants, aboard "H.M.T. Neuralia" bound for Palestine.

1938 Sep 26 Disembarked at Haifa, Palestine moving to quarters in Bethlehem with some companies deployed at Hebron, Deir Sha'ar and the surrounding hamlets. The duties involve clearing roadblocks, house searches for arms etc. and engaging Arab rebels as necessary. There are many minor skirmishes though only three were proper engagements with medals awarded. Christmas 1938 is described as a memorable experience.

[Palestine was a British mandated territory where internal security had deteriorated following failed attempts at partition.]

1939 Aug 25 The Battalion is ordered to Sudan, travelling by road to Lydda and then by train to Cairo, Egypt.

1939 Aug 27 A day spent at Abbasia Barracks, Cairo, equipping and loading a train which moves the Battalion to Shellal at the end of the Egyptian railway.

1939 Aug 30 At Shellal the Battalion with all stores and equipment transfers to three flat-bottomed paddle-steamers to continue their journey up the River Nile.

1939 Sep 3 Travelling at a speed of only 3 or 4 knots Wadi Halfa is reached and two companies dropped at Atbara.

1940 Apr -- "B" & "C" Companies move to Port Sudan. Together with other British Battalions the Worcesters garrisoned towns in central and eastern Sudan against the increasing threat from Italian forces on all fronts i.e. Libya, Eritrea, Italian Somaliland and Abyssinia.

1940 Jun 10 Mussolini declares war.

[Britain had a Treaty relationship with Egypt (formerly a British Protectorate) where Britain had responsibility for foreign affairs. The Sudan was an Anglo-Egyptian Condominium with British Somaliland to the north east on the Gulf of Aden and Italian Somaliland to the east on the Indian Ocean. Italy controlled the following countries: Eritrea and Italian Somaliland. Abyssinia (now called Ethiopia) which had been invaded by Italy in 1935. Emperor Haile Selassie had to leave his country 1st May 1936; Libya (Western Libya formerly called Tripoli or Tripolitania and the eastern part bordering Egypt called Cyrenaica). By August the Italians have 300,000 men in Libya and 200,000 in Abyssinia. General Wavell had less than 100,000 troops in the entire region of which 36,000 were in Egypt.]

1940 Jul -- The Battalion moves from Gebeit to Port Sudan with "B" & "C' Companies moving to Suakin.

1940 Aug 3 Italians invade British Somaliland, and against vastly superior odds British forces make tactical withdrawal to be evacuated by the Royal Navy from the port of Berbera. (The British were to return 7 months later). Wavell diverted troops to prepare for attack on the Italians through Sudan in what became known as the East African Campaign. Colonial forces were also becoming available for deployment, mainly from India and South Africa.

1940 Sep 1 The 5th Indian Division disembark at Port Sudan but having only 2 Brigades it has to be reinforced. The 1st Battalion Worcester Regiment was originally directly under the G.O.C. Sudan, and during July and August in Brigadier Marriott's 21st Infantry Brigade. The Battalion was now transferred to join the 3rd Battalion 2nd Punjab Regiment and the 3rd Battalion 13th Royal Frontier Force Rifles to form the 29th Infantry Brigade under Brig. Marriott in the 5th Indian Division.

1940 Sep 13 Italians invade Egypt from Libya and 3 days later were halted at Sidi Birrani.

1940 Dec 8 General O'Connor attacks Italians with 25,000 troops and small armoured brigade.

1940 Dec 29 Jack appointed Unpaid Acting Lance Corporal. The Battalion was now at Gedaref.

1941 Jan 15 After clearing the Sudan/Eritrean border around Kassala the 5th and 4th Indian Divisions enter Eritrea. The 5th take the southern route via Aicota and El Cogni and led by the 29th Brigade encounter stiff resistance at El Cogni and Barentu.

1941 Feb 12 Rommel arrives at Tripoli to form his Afrika Corps.

1941 Feb 16 British Somaliland is retaken and the Port of Berbera made available to supply The 1st South African Brigade advancing from the south through Italian Somaliland and Abyssinia.

1941 Mar 24 Rommel attacks, retaking El Agheila and advances to recapture Cyrenaica except for Tobruk. The East African Campaign continues but the German successes in the Western Desert demand a rapid conclusion in Eritrea so that forces can be made available to the north.

1941 Apr 17 The Battalion move up to take Falestoh but in the exposed position under Italian artillery fire they are pinned down. The withdrawal of forward troops is made with many casualties.

1941 Apr 27 Keren is finally taken. The Battalion lost 85 men. Four company commanders lost since February. The 4th Indian Division is sent to the Mediterranean and 5th Div. move south of Keren.

1941 May 2 29th Brigade is involved in the final battle of the campaign. In the assault on Amba Alagi and Little Alagi. the Worcesters suffer more casualties.

1941 May 5 The four month East African campaign to drive the Italians out of Abyssinia and the region is complete except for Amba Alagi. Emperor Haile Selassie returns to his country.

1941 May 15 Lt. Gen. Alan Cunningham's 1st South African Brigade (now under command of the 5th Division) arrives from the south joining the attack from the east in a pincer movement. The final assault is successful. The Italian Duke of Aosta capitulates with 20,000 of his men and hundreds of vehicles.

1941 May 20 After the surrender of Amba Alagi the Worcesters, as senior regiment present, form the guard of honour inspected by General Mayne at the foot of Toselli Pass to the north.

[Lt. Gen. Alan Cunningham (1887-1983) was promoted General in 1945 and appointed the 7th and last High Commissioner in Palestine. With the end of the British Mandate 14th May 1948 Cunningham departed Palestine from Haifa aboard the cruiser H.M.S. Euryalus. One of the crew was Jack's nephew Harold G. J. Bayliffe, brother of this compiler.]

1941 Jun 1 The Battalion spend 6 weeks mopping up followed by 3 weeks rest and holiday at Asmara. In Egypt on the 21st Wavell is replaced by Gen. Auchinleck.

1941 Jul 29 The 5th Indian Division moved to Cyprus and the Worcesters embark for the journey to Egypt.

[In 1960 British & Italian Somaliland were united to form the modern state of Somalia. There is a cemetery in Eritrea about 3 miles out of Asmara on the Massawa Road to British and Commonwealth soldiers who fell in the campaign including some from the Worcester Regiment. ]

1941 Aug 5 After the intense heat of the sea journey the Battalion disembark at Port Tewfiq for a month of intensive training in the canal zone at Ismailia.

1941 Sep 9 Move by train to Burq el Arab 20 miles west of Alexandria on the Matruh coastal road. More training and M.T. exercises but conditions were more bearable being so near the sea.

1941 Oct 3 The Battalion move inland to the Siwa oasis where the Long Range Desert Group later known as the Special Air Service (S.A.S.) had been formed. The remainder of the Brigade move forward to Giarabub. Deep desert exercises are followed by the move forward to join the rest of the Brigade where operations consist of long distance raids.

1941 Nov 18 British attack Rommel, retake Cyrenaica and relieve Tobruk.

1941 Dec 15 The Battalion ordered back to Mena in Egypt with relaxation in Cairo over the Christmas period.

1941 Dec 29 Jack appointed Unpaid Acting Lance Corporal!

1942 Jan 16 Rommel is reinforced and British are overstretched. The Battalion is sent 400 miles west to within 30 miles of Tobruk to rejoin its old Brigade.

1942 Feb 1 Jack promoted Lance Corporal.

1942 Feb 14 The whole Brigade move to take over the defence of Tobruk with the Worcesters responsible for the southern face. For a period of three months there were further moves to the south west to protect the left flank of the desert army.

1942 May 22 Jack appointed Acting Paid Corporal.

1942 May 26 Rommel attacks and the British are forced back to Gazala.

1942 Jun 8 To help cover the British withdrawal the Brigade built defensive boxes or strongholds with the Battalion at Point 187, 6 miles south of Acroma.

1942 Jun 11 A serious situation develops with German attack imminent.

1942 Jun 13 Rommel attacks with tanks and aircraft

1942 Jun 14 The Battalion's box is now isolated but ordered to hold on with very heavy fighting attempting to slow the German advance. Finally, with the Box about to be overrun withdrawal is made in good order north to Acroma and then to Tobruk (replacing the Scots Guards) under the command of the 201st Guards Brigade. Point 187 was a significant engagement for the Battalion and should in later years be a place of pilgrimage.

1942 Jun 15 The British have now lost control of the battle and the brigade has only two days to re-equip and make ready their defences around Tobruk.

1942 Jun 20 Rommel attacks the Tobruk perimeter and by afternoon had achieved penetration. That evening the order to capitulate is given.

1942 Jun 21 Some companies attempt to break out. Eventually the Adjutant and 29 men manage to escape the net 'with superlative skill', and a further two officers and 36 men from the Acroma box are able to get out. These men were later to be found at the Infantry Base Depot at Geneifa. Jack is among them and there is little doubt that as a signaller he had been in a better position than most to join in the successful breakout. The 1st Battalion no longer existed as a fighting force. A few men were selected to return to England where they would form the basis of a reformed 1st Battalion in time for the invasion of northern Europe. The captured remnants of the Battalion together with mainly South African and Australian troops (about 23,000 in all) are transferred to Italy for the duration enduring many privations en route.

1942 Jun 25 General Auchinleck fearing the 8th Army would be surrounded had ordered the retreat, sacking Gen. Ritchie and taking direct command of the 8th Army. Jack spends the next 2 months in the Depot at Geneifa recuperating and waiting for a new posting. His trade as a signaller would decide the outcome.

1942 Jul 4 Rommel writes home "our strength exhausted"

1942 Jul 25 Attack by Rommel at El Alamein repulsed. (1st Battle of El Alamein)

1942 Aug 15 Auchinleck hands over command of the Middle East theatre to Gen. Alexander and Lt. Gen. Montgomery enters into command of the 8th Army.

1942 Aug 21 Jack is granted rank of War Substantive Corporal.

1942 Aug 31 Another attack by Rommel at El Alamein (Battle of Alam Halfa). Repulsed.

1942 Sep 4 Jack transfers to The Yorkshire Dragoons as a signaller in the build up for the coming attack at El Alamein.

1942 Oct 20 Jack posted to the 7th Yorkshire Dragoons. After 6 years with his own County Infantry Regiment this would not have been to his liking.

1942 Oct 23 Montgomery orders the start of the 2nd Battle of El Alamein. With other Yorkshire Regiments the Yorkshire Dragoons face Rommel at the Munassib Depression. Their task is to force a passage through for the 7th Armoured Division. The Dragoons in the forefront of the attack become very exposed suffering tremendous casualties, being nearly wiped out.

1942 Nov 4 Rommel orders retreat from Cyrenaica and Tripoli saving most of his army.

1942 Nov 7 Anglo-American landings on west coast of Morocco.

1942 Nov 13 Tobruk recaptured by the British 8th Army.

1942 Dec 19 With the Yorkshire Dragoons virtually non-existent Jack is transferred to the 9th Battalion Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (K.O.Y.L.I.) again no doubt as a signaller.

1943 Jan/Apr Progress of Anglo-American force in the west is slowed by bad weather and politics. Deciding to defend Tunisia and still holding the ports of Bizerta and Tunis, Rommel has since November massively reinforced his army from Sicily and Italy forming a defensive line at Mareth in the south against the British 8th Army. Rommel attacks in the west through the Kasserine Pass and the situation is only redeemed by the arrival of Montgomery's 8th Army from the east. Again the Yorkshire Regiments are in the thick of the fighting at Mareth taking more heavy casualties. The Allies eventually prevail.

1943 May 12 German and Italian forces surrender near Tunis. Over a quarter of a million prisoners taken (about one third of them Germans). Belatedly preparations begin for amphibious landings on Sicily.

1943 Jun -- Jack's mother Amy Elizabeth Martin is buried at St. George's Church, Brockworth, Glos. Jack is unable to attend the funeral, being in North Africa.

1943 Jul 10 Italy. First landings on Sicily include the K.O.Y.L.I. but Jack is not with them.

1943 Jul 31 Jack transfers to the British North African Force. For the next 10 months Jack remains in or around Tunis. He is not involved directly in the invasions of Sicily and Italy. There is no doubt that Jack's survival through all the fighting in North Africa was because of his position as a signaller in the various units.

1943 Sep 9 Italy. The Salerno landings.

1943 Dec 27 Italy. Advance is held up at the Gustav (Hitler) Line within sight of Monte Casino.

1944 Jan 22 Italy. The Anzio landings.

1944 Mar 17 Jack is posted back to England.

1944 Mar 20 Jack issued with a New Pay Book (Previous A.B.64 Part 1 destroyed) and posted to 6th Infantry Training Centre at Norton Barracks, Worcester.

1944 Mar 21 28 days Disembarkation leave.

1944 May 4 Returns from leave to a temporary attachment to the 14th Battalion Durham Light Infantry.

1944 Jun 6 France. The Normandy landings.

1944 Jun 10 Jack attends NCOs Course.

1944 Jun 12 Jack transfers to The Worcester Regiment and is posted to the 20th Regiment. Jack refers to his youngest sister Jessie of Stanton, Nr Broadway, Worcs. as his next of kin. He passes 1st Class in Rifle Classification, and 2nd Class in Light Machine Gun.

1944 Sep 20 Jack posted to Infantry Training Centre at Norton Barracks.

1944 Sep 28 9 days Privilege leave.

1945 Aug 8 7 days Privilege leave.

1945 Nov 9 9 days leave.

1945 Dec 24 4 days Christmas leave.

1946 May 18 Released to Royal Army Reserve.

1946 May 20 Jack marries Alma Merrick at St. Luke's Church, Maidstone, Kent.

1946 Jun 30 Discharged under the Navy, Army & Air Force Reserve Act 1959.

1948 Apr 28 Terminated Regular Army Reserve Service.

"The Fighting Tykes. History of Yorkshire Regiments in Second World War" C. Whiting and E. Taylor. London (Leo Cooper) 1993.

"Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry: the 51st and 105th Regiments of Foot" L. Cooper. London (Leo Cooper) 1970.

"The Worcestershire Regiment 1922-1950" Lord Birdwood. Aldershot (Gale & Polden) 1952.

"An Improvised War. The Abyssinian Campaign of 1940-1941" Michael Glover. London (Leo Cooper) 1987.

"Amedo - A True Story of Love and War in Abyssinia" Sebastian O'Kelly. London (Harper Collins) 2002.

"The Second World War ... 1939-1948" A. J. P. Taylor. 1998 London (Folio Soc.) 1998.