On the outbreak of World War I she signed up for active service abroad and was assigned to the 2nd Australian General Hospital.
Mary Martin's life was probably no different from numerous others who joined and served in the Armed Forces in WWI.
However, through one small incident – a memorable visit to the Great Pyramid of Giza – she left her name to posterity.
This date is consistent with the deployment of Australian troops (for example the 11th Battalion) who trained in Egypt before being sent into action.
She was interred in the Roman Catholic portion of the Botany Bay cemetery within the Eastern Suburbs Memorial Park.