Jean-Baptiste Isidore Martin

Born 7August 1772 in Saint-Dizier (Haute-Marne), died 23December 1852 in Saint-Dizier.

Jean-Baptiste Martin enlists on 5 May 1789 in the regiment of Dauphin-Dragons (7th dragons) and is discharged in January 1790. He re-enlists on 21 February 1791 in the 24th (later 23rd) Cavalry Regiment and is promoted Sergeant on 2 August 1792 and Sergeant-Major on 1 April 1793. It distinguishes himself in the Ardennes and gets as reward the provisional rank of Second-Lieutenant. Kept away from service by a serious injury, he is employed as Quartermaster-Sergeant until his rank is confirmed on 1 August 1798. He is promoted Lieutenant on 28 January 1800 and appointed Quartermaster on 16 December 1801. On 13 August 1802, he is admitted with his rank in the Chasseurs-a-Cheval Regiment of the Consular Guard. Promoted Quartermaster-Captain on 3 February 1804, he is awarded the Knight’s cross of the Legion of Honour on 15 June. He fights at Austerlitz, Jena and Eylau and receives on 16 February 1807 the rank of Major (Lieutenant-Colonel in the line). He is elevated to the rank of Knight of the Empire on 8 September 1808 and awarded Officer’s cross of the Legion of Honour on 17 November. He is in Austria in 1809 and Spain in 1810.

He is promoted colonel of the 6th Cuirassiers Regiment on 6 August 1811 and takes part in the Russian campaign - he is a member of the Sacred Squadron during retreat - and in the campaign of Saxony. He is elevated to the rank of Baron of the Empire on 3 September 1813.

After the Restoration, Colonel Martin remains in command of his regiment and is awarded Knight’s cross of the Royal and Military Order of Saint-Louis on 1 November 1814. He remains at his post during the Hundred Days and fights at Ligny and Waterloo where he is wounded in the arm and must be amputated. He takes retirement on 1 September 1815.