Percival Martin was one of four brothers from Toowoomba who enlisted for the war. Of these Percival and Gilbert would survive the war, while Francis and Edward would be killed in action.
Martin enlisted in 1915 and served with the 49th Battalion, though his service was regularly interrupted by illness requiring hospitalisation. After his last bout of illness in March 1918, Martin was transferred to the Australian Corps School, where he would remain until the end of the war. Martin returned to the 49th Battalion after the armistice until his discharge in 1919.
Before the war he played for the Cities club, and he returned to soccer after his return. Martin became a regular Toowoomba representative player in the 1920s and was captain of Diggers in the 1924 Charity Cup final. He finally retired after the 1927 season.
Martin and his brother Francis were both added to the Toowoomba British Football Association honour board in 1918.