David Collie Martin

Born in Brechin, David (known as Collie) played for Brechin Hearts, a junior club. He signed for Dundee F.C. on 14^th January 1911, with Brechin getting a fee of £40. He was described “as quite a young man, being only in his 19^th year. He is 5ft 9” in height, weighs 13 stone, and is a splendid shot.” He had a trial match with the Dundee A team against Aberdeen A and “despite adverse ground conditions, showed considerable ability in the centre.” After a spell in the “A” team, he finally broke into the first team.

He signed for Dundee Hibs in July 1913, after a brief spell back at Brechin, where he still resided. At that time Dundee Hibs were in the second division. He also had employment, as a bleachfield worker, at East Mill Lade, Brechin. On a work break in November of that year, he was caught, by the watchman, in the act of salmon poaching. The Sheriff at Forfar Court fined him 15s, with an alternative of seven days in jail.

By 1914 he was the leading goal scorer in his league, and interest was being shown from other clubs.

David enlisted with the 5^th Battalion Black Watch (Service No. 241085), in November 1915, and was promoted to the rank of Corporal. He was sent to the Front in July 1916, and was killed in action, at Ypres, in March 1917, a week after his 27^th birthday.

Part of a letter sent to his widow, from his Company Sergeant Major, read “The Germans tried to raid us and Collie was hit by a shell.  He never spoke and died in a few minutes.  When I saw him he had a smile on his face.  He was a good soldier and greatly respected by everyone.  He was a great favourite, and Brechin today is the poorer for the loss of one of her gallant sons.”

He is buried in the Railway Dugouts Burial Ground (Transport Farm), Belgium.