Historic Photo: Private Alec Martin at the Pyramids, 1915

Private Alec Martin (b.1895) was born in Magheragall and emigrated to New Zealand in 1913. When war broke in August 1914 Alec enlisted in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force and after training in Egypt, where he visited the pyramids (above, second right), he travelled to the Dardanelles. He fought and died there in April 1915 alongside 9000 or so Anzacs.

Private Alec Martin’s diary from his journey to Australia 1913, later published by his brother William who joined the Royal Irish Rifles. In the preface Willie wrote a moving tribute to his brother, now ‘taking a hero’s rest on a distant foreign shore’. ILC&LM — Private Alec Martin’s diary from his journey to Australia 1913. In the preface Willie wrote a moving tribute to his brother, now ‘taking a hero’s rest on a distant foreign shore’.
ILC&LM

A diary of his journey to New Zealand was published after his death by his brother Willie

Martin,who joined the Royal Irish Rifles, and a copy is held in the Museum’s library.

Read an account of Alec’s life by his niece here.