B64089 Rifleman John Gordon Martin was born on 8 June 1923 in Brighton, Ontario, the son of George Arthur Martin and Cora Martin and brother of Helen and Mary Martin. He left school to enlist at age 17 after completing two years of high school.

He enlisted in Toronto with The Queen’s Own Rifles on 20 June 1940. He apparently lied on his attestation papers to show his birthdate as 1921. Martin served in W Force in Newfoundland and trained in Camp Borden and Sussex, New Brunswick before preceding overseas with the regiment and arriving in Scotland on 29 July 1941.

He continued to train with the QOR in the United Kingdom and his records show various changes for being absent without leave and various other minor changes such as failing to salute an officer.

Rifleman Martin landed on Juno Beach on D-Day, 6 June 1944, and was killed in action, aged 21. He is buried in Beny-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery, grave reference I. A. 14.