TROOPER TOM MARTIN.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 19 January 1901, Page 2

TROOPER TOM MARTIN.

“ They never fall who die in a great cause. They but alignment the deep and sweeping thoughts That overpower all others; and conduct The world at last to Freedom.” O’er the wires from South Africa yesterday, was conveyed to us the sad information that Tom Martin had died of fever. So comes home the stern realism of war. The youthful soldier is the first sacrifice offered by Greymouth at the shrine of our country and the empire. Trooper Martin .formed one of that gallant band of ten who twelve * months ago volunteered for active service ; who left the Greymouth wharf amidst the wild hurrahs of his friends and acquaintances, and the fervent hopes of all that he would return to us again covered with glory. Such alas was not to be the case, and Tom now lies in a soldier’s grave in South Africa—far from the land of his birth, far from his kinsfolk and friends. His relatives have the warmest sympathy of the community in their bereavement—a bereavement that we all feel heavily. He was sent forth, one of our chosen champions to represent New Zealand and uphold the integrity of the Empire ; and right worthily hath he carried out the trust reposed in him. and yielded up his young life as a soldier of the Queen; as one of that vast Empire anxious to aid his South African colonists in their struggle for freedom and equal rights. His death is sad indeed, and to his mother, sisters and brothers the blow is a terrible one ; but yet rising above all this and standing forth with transcendental brightness and glory is the fact, which amidst our sorrow wo cannot forget that Tom Martin, one of our Greymouth boys born and reared in our own town, has died a glorious death, died as becomes a soldier and patriot fighting for liberty, and in defence of his country and Queen. He is now—though gone from us—Grcymouth’s first soldier, and as such will long remain green in our memories. Who is there amongst us, who while possibly weeping for the gallant soldier, will not feel proud ho acquitted himself well; was faithful unto death.