Henri Martel born on August 3, 1898 in Bruay-sur-Escaut in the North. Son of a miner and himself a very young miner.
Very quickly Henri Martel will engage in political and trade union action by joining the Socialist Youth in Pas-de-Calais.
He became a member of the French Communist Party in 1921. From 1932, «marches for hunger» multiplied especially in Paris (demanding work) and it was in this climate that Henri Martel experienced his first political victories as elected General Councillor of the canton of Douai-Nord (1933).
In 1936, following the legislative election, Henri Martel was elected Deputy of the North and became spokesman for the miners.
However, at the arrival of World War II, Henri Martel was arrested and sent to prison and then deported to the Bagne de Maison-Carrée, in Algeria.
During this period, he learned of the death of his sons: in 1942 (Aimable) and 1943 (Germinal) for Resistance activities.
He was released in 1943, took responsibility for the CGT and reconstituted the CGT Federation of the Sub-Ground of which he was Secretary General from 1956 to 1959. Henri Martel then entered a strong political activity.
In addition, from 1945 to 1958 and from 1962 to 1967, he was Deputy and Senator and defended miners. It will allow the Nationalization of Coal Mines Act.
He will also fight to defend the retirement and social security system of minors.
From 1945 to 1948 and from 1959 to 1977, he was mayor of Sin-le-Noble and general councillor of Douai-Nord Township. 1977 marks the end of his political career, he died on 27 November 1982 in Sin-le-Noble in his home which several years later became the Henri Martel Museum.
Duration of the visit: about 20 minutes.