1st Company Division Train, Australian Army Service Corp (Australian Army)
Died:
23/05/1915 (Died of Wounds)
Age:
23
Summary
Martin McFlynn was born about 1892 in Sydney, Australia. He was the son of Michael and Ellen McFlynn. His father was from Kildress. Martin attended Sydney Technical School and became an engineer. He enlisted in September 1914. Martin served with the Australian Expeditionary Force attached to the Army Medical Corps at Gallipoli. Private Martin McFlinn was serving with the 1st Company Div. Train of the Australian Army Service Corps when he died of wounds at Gallipoli on 23rd May 1915.
Further Information
Martin McFlynn was born and raised in Sydney, Australia. He was the son of Michael and Ellen McFlynn.
His father lived in Keenaghan and served his apprenticeship as a joiner with Mr John Kane, Gortalowry, Cookstown before emigrating with his family to Australia.
Michael McFlynn married to Ellen McFlynn. They lived in Sydney. Michael started a career as a building contractor.
Martin McFlynn was born about 1892 in Australia, probably in Sydney.
A report in the Sydney Morning Herald from December 1894 notes that one of the children had died.
From the Sydney Morning Herald dated Monday 31 December 1894: Funerals
THE FRIENDS of Mr and Mrs MICHAEL McFLINN are kindly invited to attend the Funeral of their late beloved DAUGHTER, Kathleen, which will move from their residence. Dungannon House, 64 Annandale Street. Annandale, THIS (Monday) AFTERNOON, at half-past 1 o'clock, for Petersham Station, thence to Necropolis.
Martin was educated at the Christian Brothers' School, Lewisham. He then attended Sydney Technical School.
Prior to enlisting, Martin was an engineer.
Martin’s attestation papers have been lost, but he enlisted on 1st September 1914, presumably in Sydney, New South Wales.
Martin served with the Australian Expeditionary Force attached to the Army Medical Corps at Gallipoli.
The eight month campaign in Gallipoli was fought by Commonwealth and French forces in an attempt to force Turkey out of the war, to relieve the deadlock of the Western Front in France and Belgium, and to open a supply route to Russia through the Dardanelles and the Black Sea. The Allies landed on the Gallipoli peninsula on 25th - 26th April 1915. The 29th Division landed at Cape Helles in the south and the Australian and New Zealand Corps landed north of Gaba Tepe on the west coast, an area that became known as Anzac.
Private Martin McFlinn was serving with the 1st Company Div. Train of the Australian Army Service Corps when he died of wounds at Gallipoli on 23rd May 1915.
It was at night, when most of the firing had ceased, when a stray bullet hit him in the head, and he died a few hours later.
From the (Sydney) Catholic Press dated 1st July 1915:
McFLINN. Killed in action at the Dardanelles, Martin McFlinn, A.M.C., only and beloved son of Michael and Ellen McFlinn, 58 Annandale Street, Annandale. R.I.P. Home papers please copy.
From the Melbourne Tribune dated 5th August 1915: Our Roll of Honour - Careers of the Fallen
PRIVATE MARTIN McFLINN, of the Army Medical Corps, who has died of wounds, was a son of Mr Michael McFlinn of Annandale. He was 23 years of age, an engineer by trade, and was educated at the Christian Brothers' School, Lewisham, and afterwards at the Sydney Technical School. R.I.P.
From the Bendigo Independent dated 9th August 1915: MERRY, BRAVE FELLOW - JOKING AND THEN THE END
Bravery displayed at Gallipoli by Private Martin McFlinn, whose death has been officially reported, has brought the following appreciative letter from an officer to his parents, Mr and Mrs McFlinn, of 58 Annandale street, Annandale (Sydney).
‘I feel it is my duty to write and explain the circumstances under which your son met his death, as I was his commanding officer. He was working with me in a very exposed part, both to shrapnel and rifle fire, and was carrying on his work in a most able manner, so much so that 1 had occasion to compliment him very highly. He not only attended to many wounded with absolute coolness, relieving many suffering, but saved a man's life earlier in the day by holding his finger over the man's bleeding artery for half an hour under heavy fire until help came - a most excellent piece of work. It was at night, when most of the firing had ceased, that a stray bullet hit him in the head, and he died a few hours later. He never felt any pain, nor could he have realised in any way that he had been hit, as be became instantly unconscious. He was joking as usual with his comrades - and then the end. It is a glorious way to end one's life, and when we think over it, although it is very sad, is the greatest thing one can do. You have given your son so that England, and incidentally Australia, may remain a free country and it so pleased God that you were called upon to make the offer. Don't grieve after the boy, as he carried out his duties excellently, and met his end as a soldier should.’
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 25th September 1915: Private McFlynn, Sydney
The Catholic Press of Sydney contains the portrait of Private Martin McFlynn, of Annandale, Sydney, who has died of wounds received in action. He is a son of Mr Michael McFlynn, a large contractor of Sydney, who left Cookstown about thirty years ago. He came from the Keenaghan district, but we believe that none of his relatives are now in Ireland. He came to Cookstown and served his time to the carpentry with the late Mr John Kane of Gortalowry, and was very energetic and reliable, giving promise of a successful career. Believing he would have greater opportunities in the New World, he emigrated and married an Australian lady. His son Martin volunteered with the Australian Expedition and was attached to the Army Medical Corps. He received wounds which proved fatal. His father received the following consoling letter from the Captain:-
‘I feel it is my duty to write and explain the circumstances under which your son met his death, as I am his commanding officer. He was working with me in a very exposed spot, both to shrapnel and rifle fire, and was carrying on his work in a most able manner; so much so that I had occasion to compliment him very highly. He not only attended to many wounded with absolute coolness, relieving many suffering, but saved a man’s life earlier in the day by holding his finger over the man's bleeding artery for half an hour under heavy fire until help came - a most excellent piece of work. It was at night, when most of the firing had ceased, that a stray bullet hit him in the head, and he died a few hours later. Don't grieve after the boy, as he carried out his duties excellently, and met his end as a soldier should.’
From the (Sydney) Catholic Press dated 16th November 1915: WESTMEAD BEDS
By far the greater number of beds presented to Westmead Orphanage have been given as memorials to deceased soldiers. This week the list is added to by a bed, given by his parents, in memory of Private Martin McFlinn, AMC, killed in action in May 1915.
Private was originally buried at Hillside cemetery close to Anzac Cove and the Military service was conducted by Reverend J. Green C.F. A wooden cross marked his grave.
Martin McFlinn’s remains were re-interred in grave 1 E 12 at Beach Cemetery, Anzac, Turkey. Beach Cemetery was used almost from the moment of the first landings, until evacuation 8 months later. There are a total of 391 commonwealth servicemen buried or commemorated at the cemetery, 369 can be identified.
The CWGC record Private Martin McFlinn was the son of Michael and Ellen McFlinn of 58 Annandale Street, Annandale, Sydney, New South Wales.
