Informal portrait of QX37294 Corporal (Cpl) Joseph Francis Martin 31/51st Battalion of Mareeba, ...

Informal portrait of QX37294 Corporal (Cpl) Joseph Francis Martin 31/51st Battalion of Mareeba, Qld. A meatworker prior to enlistment, he joined the Citizen Military Force (CMF) in June 1941 and served with the 31st Battalion. In July 1942 he enlisted in the AIF. From August 1942 the 11th Brigade, which included 31st Battalion, was responsible for the defence of Far North Queensland. Private Martin was stationed, periodically, in Townsville and on Thursday Island. He was promoted to Lance Corporal and then Acting Corporal in March 1943. In April the 31st and 51st Battalions were merged and A/Cpl Martin was attached to the 13th Australian Garrison in Brisbane, Qld. A/Cpl Martin was promoted to Corporal (Cpl) in July 1943. For the remainder of 1943 he undertook further training in Queensland and Victoria. Cpl Martin married Irene Cecilia Martin on 19 April 1944. In November 1944 the 31/51st Battalion undertook training in jungle operations and left Brisbane for Bougainville, New Guinea, arriving on 12 December 1945. Cpl Martin was killed in action at Bougainville on 12 February 1945. He was 29 years of age.