Martha was born in Wolverhampton in 1857, the daughter of John and Betty Browning. She became a dressmaker, and lived with her parents, and later her mother, at various Wolverhampton addresses, including the Golden Fleece (Union Street), 5 St James’s Square and 11 Lower Villiers Street. By 1901 she was living with her sister, Clara Ellen, and her husband William Gibbons, at Clareton, Ash Hill, Compton.

Her dressmaking skills stood her in good stead during the war, as she was able to serve with the British Red Cross Working Party Reg No 1688 Tettenhall Wood, doing needlework from September 1917 until December 1918. She was awarded a Badge and a Certificate.

Martha never married, and died in Wolverhampton on 23 July 1939, when her address was Red Hill House, Compton. The value of her effects was £880 1s. 1d.