Leonard Humphrey Marten & Thomas Arnold Marrten

 What is the connection between St. Teilo’s, Bishopston and St. Paul’s, Sketty?

First let’s look at St. Paul’s

Situated inside the church is the memorial commemorating to Leonard Humphrey Marten, who lost his life, during the Second Boer War 1899 – 1902, aged 22.

Lieutenant L. H. Marten
St. Pauls Church, Sketty
credit - Imperial War Museum War Memorials Register

Leonard Humphrey Marten, who was born 1879, Clifton was the son of Robert Humphrey Marten and Blanche Anthony.  

They were married 1875.  They were to have three children, Winifred B., 1877; Leonard H., 1879 and Genoveva, 1890.

At the time of the 1881 Census, Leonard, aged 2, was living at 1 Hanbury Road, Clifton, Bristol. Robert, 39 was a Shipowner.  Blanche was looking after the children.  Also present at the property were two servants, Alice Harding, 26 and Priscilla Winterson, 25.  The family surname at this time has been listed as Marten.

1881 Census

A decade later, 1891, the family have moved to Swansea, and living at Sketty Road.  Robert, 51, is Living on Own Means.  Blanche, 39, who is looking after the younger child, Genoveva, 8 months old.  Both Winifred, 14 and Leonard, 12 are attending school.  Also present at the property are three servants, Ellen Walsh, 26; Mary Lewis, 27 and Margaret Thomas, 19.  The family surname at the time of t 1891 Census has been recorded as Martin.

1891 Census

Educated at Shrewsbury School, Shropshire, until 1897, when Leonard entered Pembroke College, Cambridge University, where he stayed and until 1900, when he enlisted the army

Lieutenant Colonel
George Elliott Benson

Leonard was commissioned into the Yorkshire Light Infantry ranked 2^nd Lieutenant.  Leonard joined the Battalion in South Africa and served with the 3^rd Mounted Infantry.  Whilst attached with Lieutenant Colonel George Elliott Benson’s British No.3 Flying Column, comprising of 2000 men.  They were specialised in night raids, on 30^th October 1901, it was attacked during heavy rain and mist by overwhelming numbers at Bakenlaagte by the Commandoes of Grobler, Opperman and Louis Botha.

The Mounted Infantry company and a squadron of Scottish Horse formed up on the flaks of the guns and the ridge fell into the Boer’s hands except for a portion of which a party of Mounted Infantry held until dark.

Primrose Cemetery, South Africa
credit - findagrave

2^nd Lieutenant Leonard severely wounded with a broken thigh by the enemy’s fire.  Whilst lying wounded, was ill treated by the Boers whilst he was trying to get his clothing and boots. 6 days later, Leonard died from his wounds at Elandsfontein, and was buried at Primrose Cemetery, South Africa. On the headstone Leonard’s surname has been recorded as Martin. Leonard is also commemorated at Sketty as well as at the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry Boer War Museum, York.

The Cambrian
15^th November 1901

The Cambrian
3^rd January 1902

The Cambrian reported his death twice.  The first article, The War, dated 15^th November 1901.  In this article it states the family home as being Allensmore, Sketty and his grandfather was the late Mr. Thomas Marten of Fernhill.  In the second article, An Echo of War, dated 3^rd January 1902.  The article is about the erection the Celtic cross monument on the grave of Lieutenant Marten.  The monument Forest of Dean stone is the work of Mr. William Morris, of Rutland Street.

In the following years The Cambrian, published several articles regarding the Marten.

July 1905, in an article Swansea Invention: Lubricating Tram Rails. Mr Robert Humphrey Marten of Allensmore, Swansea had invented an improvement method and means for lubricating tramways with wetting the surface with water.

The Cambrian
July 1905

July 1908, in an article Swansea Secretary of R.S.P.C.A., Winifred Marten has been in the post since the R.S.P.C.A resuscitation of 1906.

The Cambrian
July 1908

Now moving our attentions to Thomas Arnold Marten.

Thomas was born 1815, Walworth, Surrey.  Married at All Saints, Oystermouth to Anne Heinsken, during October 1837.  Their wedding would have been on of the first to have produced a certificate, after the introduction of civil registration, July 1837. Thomas’ occupation at the time of the marriage was Accountant.

Thomas Arnold Marten and Anne Heinsken
Marriage Certificate
All Saints, Oystermouth

By the time of the 1861 Census, the family were living at Fernhill, Oystermouth.  Thomas, 45, is Sectary to the Swansea Canal Company.  Ann, 50 and daughter Mary W., 22 are not employed.  Sons Robert H., 21, is a Mechanical Engineer and Henry H., 19, is an accountant.  Also present at the property are three servants Elizabeth Wilkinson, 24; Sarah Pain, 21 and Maria Smith, 19. 

1861 Census

By the time of the 1871 Census, Thomas, 56 now a widower is still living at Fernhill, Oystermouth. He is employed as the Sectary to the Swansea Canal Company.  Ann died during 1869. Also present is his daughter, Jessie M., 23.  It should be noted that the surname has been recorded as Martin.  Also present are two servants Fanny Phillips, 23 and Jane Jobe, 24.

1871 Census

October 1871 Thomas would marry for the second time, to Georgiana Catherine Dixon Jeffreys.

Thomas Arnold Marten and Georgiana Catherine Dixon Jeffreys
Marriage Certificate
All Saints, Oystermouth

By the time of the 1881, Thomas, 66, has moved away with his wife, Georgiana, to No. 13 Promenade, Cheltenham.

Thomas’ occupation is listed as Gentleman & JP., Thomas’ second family included children, T. G., 8; Arnold Jeffrey, 7; Rose Hartford, 4 and Lilly Middleton, 4.  All the children having been born at Oystermouth.  Their surname has been recorded as Martin. Also present four servants, Jane Rogers, 24; Elizabeth Phillips, 19; Hannah Taylor, 37 and William Davis, 30.

1881 Census

Thomas Arnold Marten  headstone
St. Teilo, Bishopston
credit - findagrave

Thomas died March 1889 at Fernhill, Oystermouth, and he was buried at St. Teilo, Bishopston.