Regimental Sergeant Major Charles Martin was born in Greenwich, Kent, in about 1881. He enlisted into the Sherwood Foresters on the 21st of February 1896, aged 14 years, 6 months. Charles was 4ft 11, with a fair complexion with brown hair and blue eyes. He also had a scar on the back of his head. 

Charles served his first couple of years with the Foresters at home. He was appointed to the 2nd Battalion on the 9th of February 1898. The following month, Charles travelled to the East Indies, to join the main body of the Battalion, who had just served in the Tirah Campaign (1897-8). Charles would have served with the 2nd Battalion in Aden, where they were for a year between October 1898 and October 1899. Charles attained age 18 during this time, on the 21st of August 1899.They then served in Malta, for the duration of the Second Boer War (1899-1902) and Charles became a bandsman in December 1901.  

Charles and the Battalion returned home in May 1902. He steadily began to climb through the ranks, becoming Lance Corporal on the 21st of March 1904, Corporal in March 1906 and Sergeant in September 1907. Charles re-engaged to complete 21 years’ service with the regiment in November 1907. The 2nd Battalion remained in home service at the outbreak of the Great War (1914-18).  

Charles and the 2nd Battalion landed in France in September 1914. They saw their first action at Chemin Des Dames on the 20th of September. Over the next year, they also saw action at Ennetieres and Hooge in the Ypres Salient. On the 25th of February 1916, Charles returned home. It is possible that he was wounded. 

He returned to France on the 14th of July 1916. It is unknown exactly when, but within the next year Charles transferred to the 1st Battalion. He was also appointed Company Sergeant Major (CSM). 

He displayed much gallantry, whilst serving with the 1st Battalion. Charles was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM), which was reported in the London Gazette on the 4th of March 1918, ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty while acting as Regimental Sergeant Major, North of Passchendaele, between 19th and 21st November 1917. On two occasions he voluntarily exposed himself on top of Battalion H.Q. dug-out for over two hours to watch for signals. When transport approaching Battalion H.Q. was caught in a sudden barrage and the transport officer and several men became casualties he rushed to the assistance of the remainder, reorganised the pack train, and brought it to H.Q.’ Charles would later received the Military Cross (MC), which was reported in the London Gazette on the 1st of January 1919, he was acting Regimental Sergeant Major at this time. 

 Charles returned home, potentially on leave, before the end of the war. He married Emily Ellen Hanson on the 5th of September 1918, at St Marys Church in Laisterdyke, Bradford.  

 In February 1919 Charles was permitted to continue service beyond 21 years. He became the depot Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) in May 1919. Charles was discharged on the 20th of August 1920. He had served over 24 years with the colours.   

 After service, he lived with Emily at Pickard Street in Laisterdyke, Bradford. Charles sadly died in 1968.