DR. A. A. MARTIN.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1613, 21 September 1916, Page 3

DR. A. A. MARTIN.

SUCCUMBS TO WOUNDS. RECEIVED IN SOMME FIGHT- . ing. London, Sept. 19. Dr. A. A. Marlin, of Palmerston North, died, of wounds in the New Zealand Stationary Hospital in France. He was wounded in the Somme lighting. The news of the death of Dr. A. A. Martin came as a great blow to the people of Palmerston and dis-. tricl, amongst whom he was held in high esteem, both for his skill as a surgeon, bis sterling character as a man, his worth as a citizen, and his proved courage, and devotion as a. patriot. The lute Dr. Martin was about 40 years of age. He was born in Southland. His father, Mr Thomas Martin, a native of Waterford, Ireland, was for many years a first-class guard on the Invercargill-Kingsion railway, and now lives in retirement ;it Lumsden with Mrs Martin, senr., a robust mother of singularly striking personality who has brought up a large family, every one of whom has proved worthy and successful. After leaving the Lumsden public', school, young Martin went to the district high school, and from there passed his Civil Service examination and matriculated. He joined the head office of the Government Life Insurance Department as' a, cadet in 1893. His ambitions carried him further a.Hold, however. He suddenly announced to his associates, “I am going to bo a doctor!” and with this object in view he journeyed to England in 1894. He achieved a. brilliant career in (he Edinburgh University (where he practically supported himself by winning a series of scholarships and prizes, chiefly for proficiency in anatomical and surgiem 1 studies), and eventually secured the coveted M.D., C.H.8., F.R.C.S. Ed.

The outbreak of Iho Boer 'War made its appeal to his indomitable and adventurous spirit, and he proceeded to South Africa, giving his best services to the wounded in the battle line, and incidentally writing a seies of graphic and informative articles to the British Medical Journal, which attracted favourable attention.

Returning to New Zealand at the close of the war, he acted for a time as medical officer for the Government Insurance Department. In (hat capacity ho came to Palmerston, and, joining forces with the late Dr. Wilson as partner, soon established a reputation for surgery, which brought him a clientele from all parts of the island. Dissolving' partnership, he lived there for several years, and associated himself very intimately with a great variety of local institutions. Appointed to the Hospital si a (I,‘he became senior surgeon, a post he held with distinction for a considerable period. Keenly interested in Masonic matters (he was initiated in Smith Africa), he became W.M. of the United Manawatu Lodge. He was at various periods honorary surgeon of (he .Manawatu Pacing Club, patron of the Operatic Society, president of the Manawatu Club. Between PHKi and 1007 Dr Martin married Miss Marjorie Harley Sommerville Brown of London (who is at present in Scotland). He was keenly interested, amongst other things in the development of radiography in its relation to surgery, and in 1914 lie took the hauling part in raising funds for the establishment of a Radium Institute in New Zealand. For this purpose he proceeded to London, visiting en route the leading clinics in the United States. Ultimately at Aberdeen he was appointed a delegate to the Brit ish Medical Association’s Conference. He was in Britain when the war broke out, and immediately offered his services for the fighting line, joining the Field Ambulance of the sth Division of the Second Army. His vivid experience in the lighting lino at ITarve, Earthier, the Manic, the Aisne and at Ypres are vividly set forth in that valuable and illuminating publication, “A Surgeon in Khaki,” Ho was mentioned in despa (dies by General French for a sustained record of intrepidity and devotion. The terrible and exacting experiences of this heart-breaking campaign iniposedj.a strain on his physical and nervous system, and he was obliged to seek respite in New Zealand. He was immediately requisitioned bv the Government to preside on a. Royal Commission to enquire into the conditions at the Trentham encampment. Eventually returning to Palmerston, Dr Martin at once immersed himself in the exacting duties of a large private practice. No sooner was his health partially restored, however, than he again heard the imperative call of duty, and .suddenly announced, to the consternation of his intimates, that he had decided to return to the firing line. He took his farewell amidst universal expressions of ad-

miration and goodwill, and joining the 3rd Field Ambulance New Zealand Division as a major, was soon in the thick of the fray on the western front, where he has been fully employed in works of mercy and of alleviation. This last mail brought to intimates in Palmerston letters expressing the buoyant hope that an early termination of the war would enable him to resume his old cordial relations with those whom ho held in high esteem and by whom lie was held in the most revered regard. It is no wonder that the news of his untimely taking off excited feelings first, of incredulity and then of the most poignant sorrow.