WO 11 Charles Cromwell Martin, DCM, MM (1918 – 1997) became at twenty-four one of the youngest company Sergeant Majors in the history of The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada. He served in ‘A’ Company 1st Battalion. In the D-Day invasion, June 6th 1944, Charlie Martin was one of the first of 4,123 to hit the beaches of Normandy
at Bernieres-sur-mer. Charlie Martin was wounded in April 1945 in Sneek Holland. His war was over.
After a full recovery he returned to Canada and lived very happily with his war bride Vi and son Rick. Charlie raised his family in Mississauga and in his civilian capacity worked for The Department of Agriculture. He was a leader and a symbol of those who worked to shape a free and caring society. The passage of time will not forget Charlie Martin, a warrior, a gentleman and citizen soldier who passed away on 13 October 1997. For his service to Canada Charlie Martin was awarded The Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) and the Military Medal (MM) for Heroism.
In 1994 Charlie Martin authoured ‘Battle Diary’ from D-Day and Normandy to The Zuider ZEE and VE.
