Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Martin entered the British Army as an Ensign in 1836. Promoted to Lieutenant in 1839, he served with the 18th Royal Irish Regiment during the China Expedition and was present at the storming of Amoy, attack and capture of Chapoo, Woosung, Shanghai and Chin Kiang Foo (where he commanded the Light Company) and the investment of Nanking. Latterly, he transferred to the 4th (The King's Own) Regiment and, attaining the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, he retired by the sale of his Commission in 1865.