MARTIN, IVAN HAROLD. Son of Harold C. and L. Pearl Martin; husband of Annette Joyce Martin, of Toronto, Ontario.
Enlists in Chatham as a Lieutenant in the Kent Regt, listing Chatham as his place of birth and was living in London, ON. Rank: Major , Regiment: Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada (Princess Louise’s), R.C.I.C. Age: 32, DOW, Date of Death: 21/08/1944. Awards: Mentioned in Despatches. On the 20th of August 1944, heavy counter attacks were beaten off as the desperate Germans attempted to force their way past the Canadians.
On 18 August 1944, “B” Company of the Argylls consisting of fifty five men, commanded by Major Martin was placed under command of “C” Squadron of The South Alberta Regiment (SAR) which was commanded by Major Dave Currie, Major Currie would be later awarded the Victoria Cross. This composite group was tasked to close the road running through St. Lambert Sur Dives which was the main German escape route between the towns of Chambois and Trun. They had the dangerous task of clearing pockets of Germans from each house along the road. Besides the German infantry there was also a Tiger tank and a Panther tank in support of the German infantry. A small group of Argylls led by Lieut. Gil Armour,, Pte’s. W. F. Cooper and J. LaForrestarmed with a PIAT attacked and destroyed the Panther. The Tiger tank withdrew and by mid-morning the village was cleared.
In the early morning of 19 August 1944, “B” Company and “C” Squadron attacked St. Lambert and cleared half of the town and consolidated in the centre having insufficient troops to clear the rest. The fighting was vicious with German tanks being destroyed at close range with grenades and PIATs. Company Sergeant Major George Mitchell and Private MR Holmes distinguished themselves by rescuing the driver of a burning SAR tank while under fire. The Argylls suffered 6 wounded that day. “C” Company of the Argylls joined the force in St. Lambert at 1900 hours (7:00 PM).
During the actions around the Battle of the Falaise Gap in particular St. Lambert Sur Dives. Thousands of Germans were trying to flee down the road through St. Lambert. Major Ivan Martin, Officer Commanding “B” Company went forward on foot alone twice to call down artillery fire on German self propelled guns. It was during this action while Major Martin was meeting with Major Currie, Lieut. Al Dalphe acting as interpreter and a captured German doctor who was trying to get aid for his captured German troops, just after Major Currie was called back to his tank that a 88mm HE hit the group killing both Canadian officers. After the battle, he was awarded an American Distinguished Service Cross.
The Distinguished Service Cross is awarded to a person who, while serving in any capacity with the Army, distinguishes himself or herself by extraordinary heroism not justifying the award of a Medal of Honor; while engaged in an action against an enemy of the Unites States; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing/foreign force; or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing Armed Force in which the United States is not a belligerent party. The act or acts of heroism must have been so notable and have involved risk of life so extraordinary as to set the individual apart from his or her comrades.