Martin Petrie Blundell (1890 - 1918)

Born 1 Nov 1890 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Died 18 Apr 1918 at age 27 in Belgium

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Biography

Martin Blundell was born in the Colony of Victoria (1851-1900)

Martin Blundell is an Anzac who served in World War One.

Lance Corporal Martin Blundell served in the Australian Imperial Force in World War I
Service started: 26 Jan 1915
Unit(s): 4th Light Horse Regiment;2nd Light Horse Regiment
Service ended: 18 Apr 1918

Lance Corporal Martin Blundell was Killed in Action 18 April 1918 during World War I.

Martin Blundell was awarded the British War Medal, Victory Medal and the 1914-1915 Star.

Martin Petrie Blundell was born in Melbourne, Victoria, on 1 Nov 1890 to parents Martin Petrie Blundell (1846-1901) and Emily Jane Lineker (1850-1926).

He attended Melbourne Grammar School and later Geelong Grammar School in Victoria. He was single and lived with his mother in Noel, Macedon Upper, Victoria. Martin was an overseer before enlisting on 26 January 1915, aged 24. He had no previous military service and was assigned the rank of Private in the 4th Light Horse Regiment, 7th Reinforcement^[1][2][3].

Martin embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board RMS Persia on 10 August 1915, bound for Egypt^[4]. After arriving in Egypt, he joined the 2nd Light Horse Regiment in Gallipoli on 24 October 1915. Martin was admitted to 3rd Field Ambulance on 9 November 1915 due to mumps but rejoined the regiment on 22 November 1915. He then proceeded from Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force on 24 March 1916, disembarking in Marseilles on 27 March 1916^[1][2].

Martin was transferred to the 1st Anzac Mounted Regiment on 13 May 1916, and later to the 2nd Anzac Mounted Regiment on 7 July 1916. He was detached to CRE, Armentieres, on 26 September 1916, but rejoined his regiment on 10 December 1916. Martin was detached to the New Zealand Division on 16 April 1917 and Anti-Aircraft Section, 2nd Anzac, on 21 June 1917. He was detached to School of Instruction on 9 July 1917, and appointed Lance Corporal on 3 September 1917. Martin was detached to the 2nd Anzac Salvage Company on 27 November 1917 but rejoined the regiment on 2 February 1918^[1][2].

Martin went on leave on 8 March 1918 and rejoined his regiment on 26 March 1918. He was detached to the 49th Division on 28 March 1918 and rejoined his regiment on 12 April 1918 before being detached again to 9th Corps on 16 April 1918. Martin was killed in action on 18 April 1918, in Belgium, at the age of 27^[1][2]. He has no known grave, and his name is commemorated on The Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial (Panel 7), Belgium^[5][6]. Martin was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and Victory Medal for his service in Egypt, Gallipoli, and Western Front^[1][2].

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4} World War 1 Service: Veteran Details for Martin Petrie Blundell for Service with the Australian Imperial Force (AIF). Regimental Number: 1080; Rank: Private; Unit: 4th Light Horse Regiment, 7th Reinforcement; Enlistment Date: 26 Jan 1915; Killed in Action 18 April 1918 Link to UNSW AIF Project Record: accessed 24 Apr 2023
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4} National Archives of Australia: Australian Imperial Force, Base Records Office; B2455, "First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1914-1920"; BLUNDELL M P, Blundell Martin Petrie: SERN 1080: POB Melbourne VIC: POE Rockhampton QLD: NOK M Blundell M P, 1914 - 1920 : accessed 24 Apr 2023; National Archives Australia: 3094071
3. ↑ First World War Nominal Roll (Australian War Memorial : accessed 24 Apr 2023) database entry for Martin Blundell, Service Number: 1080, Rank: Private, Enlistment Date: 26 Jan 1915, Unit: 2nd Australian Light Horse Regiment, Fate: Killed in action on 18 Apr 1918, Conflict Operation: First World War, 1914-1918
4. ↑ Embarkation Roll (Australian War Memorial : accessed 24 Apr 2023) database entry for Martin Petrie Blundell, Service Number: 1080, Rank: Private, Roll: 4 LHR Light Horse Regiment - Reinforcements 1-12 (December 1914 - November 1915), Embarkation Date: 10 Aug 1915 from Melbourne on RMS Persia, Conflict Operation: First World War, 1914-1918
5. ↑ Commemoration Record (Commonwealth War Graves Commission : accessed 24 Apr 2023) database entry for MARTIN PETRIE BLUNDELL, Lance Corporal, Service Number: 1080, Service: Australian Light Horse, 2nd, Nationality: Australian, Date of Death: 18 Apr 1918, Place of Burial or Commemoration: YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL, Panel 7., Belgium.Commemoration Record (Commonwealth War Graves Commission : accessed 24 Apr 2023) database entry for MARTIN PETRIE BLUNDELL, Lance Corporal, Service Number: 1080, Service: Australian Light Horse, 2nd, Nationality: Australian, Date of Death: 18 Apr 1918, Place of Burial or Commemoration: YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL, Panel 7., Belgium.
6. ↑ Roll of Honour (Australian War Memorial : accessed 24 Apr 2023) database entry for Martin Petrie Blundell, Service Number: 1080, Rank: Lance Corporal, Service: Australian Imperial Force, Unit: 2nd Australian Light Horse Regiment, Conflict Operation: First World War, 1914-1918, Death Date: 18 Apr 1918, Death Place: Belgium, Cemetery or Memorial Details: Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Flanders, Belgium, Source: AWM145 Roll of Honour cards, 1914-1918 War, Army

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