Cyprus-Forum.com

[IanBrettCooper]

Hi folks,

First post here. I'm working on a genealogy project and trying to find details of my uncle, WO2 Charles Francis Martin, who was killed in Cyprus in 1956. If anyone can tell me any details - newspaper reports, photos etc., I'd really appreciate it.

Here's what I know so far:

Rank:Warrant Officer 2nd Class. Service No:7886971.

Company:A (HQ Company) Cyprus H district / 6 Regiment, Royal Tank Regiment, British Army.

Date of Death:4 November 1956. Killed in Nicosia (or perhaps in Paphos) when an electronically operated bomb blew up his vehicle. He was 36 years old. He is buried in Wayne's Keep Military Cemetery, Nicosia. Grave or Memorial Reference:Plot 23 Row C Grave 7.

Thanks,

Ian.

[paliometoxo]

welcome to the forum cooper

[IanBrettCooper]

Thanks.

Specifically, I'm looking to find out the following info:

Photos of him.
Photos of his grave marker.
Info regarding where he was killed (Paphos or Nicosia).
What vehicle was he driving?
Where was he going when his vehicle was attacked?
Was he taken to hospital?
Were there other casualties?
Any newspaper articles relating to the incident.

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

[Get Real!]

Search in here...

http://www.britains-smallwars.com/cyprus/index.html

...although the site owner recently died, there seems to be someone still running it.

[IanBrettCooper]

Thanks.

The info I have comes from there and from the official war memorial site. I've spoken with the people who run both sites, but all they can tell me is what's listed at the sites. They don't have any more details. I was hoping to find someone in the area who might know more, or who had a more detailed interest in the subject or the time period.

[Get Real!]

Thanks.

The info I have comes from there and from the official war memorial site. I've spoken with the people who run both sites, but all they can tell me is what's listed at the sites. They don't have any more details. I was hoping to find someone in the area who might know more, or who had a more detailed interest in the subject or the time period.

In that case, if I were you I'd visit the SBAs (Episkopi/Dekelia) to see what public records of events exist.

[EricSeans]

Ian,

In addition to the above you should put your questions to a regimental adjutant at the RTR http://www.royaltankregiment.com/ who will probably have access to the regimental archives. Alternatively try the Greek Cypriot media for a contact for the EOKA Veterans Association who may also be able to help with some details of the incident.

[IanBrettCooper]

Thanks folks. I've sent of a few emails to the sources you've suggested. Hopefully something will come of them. I think it's strange that someone who died relatively recently has virtually no record within the family. I don't even have a photo of him and can't seem to find anyone who knows anything about him.

[Oracle]

... I think it's strange that someone who died relatively recently has virtually no record within the family. I don't even have a photo of him and can't seem to find anyone who knows anything about him.

How do you know he was your uncle?

BTW Have you tried the MOD?

[IanBrettCooper]

My aunt talked about him many times when she was alive and I've tracked down his official birth, marriage and death records. By 'no record' I mean no remaining personal records (such as photos etc.) within the family.