RESEARCH NOTES
 

James Martin was born in the parish and town of Fairhill, County Monmouth, and enlisted into the 44th (East Essex) Regiment of Foot at Guernsey on 22 April 1809 aged nineteen. A weaver by trade, he served with the regiment for more than fourteen years, including service in the Peninsular War, the Waterloo campaign of 1815 and subsequent service in India. During his military career he qualified for the Military General Service Medal, the Waterloo Medal and the Army of India Medal, making him one of the relatively small number of men entitled to all three awards. He was discharged in January 1827 suffering from chronic rheumatism affecting his left ankle and subsequently became a Chelsea out-pensioner. His Military General Service Medal, Waterloo Medal and Army of India Medal are today preserved in the collection of the Essex Regiment Museum.