William Kirby has provided the following:
He was the son of Edward and Margaret Brown, born on 26th May 1893 and baptised in Holy Trinity Parish Church Gateshead. The 1901 Census shows Edward and Margaret living in Gateshead when Edward was a colliery cartman. There was an older daughter, Margaret, and a younger son, John. In 1911 Edward Brown was a Chemical Labourer and Martin was working as a Colliery Bank Lad. The CWGC entry shows them living at 86 Southey Street, Gateshead.
He enlisted in Gateshead and served with the 23rd Battalion (Tyneside Scottish) Northumberland Fusiliers. He was killed in action on France & Flanders on 14/07/1917.
On his death his effects amounted to £9.13s.7d. which was allocated to his father Edward.
He is remembered in Gateshead on G39.025
