Benjamin Charles Stanley Martin

Sir Benjamin Charles Stanley Martin
Born (1891-07-18)18 July 1891
Isle of Wight, Hampshire, England
Died 3 June 1957(1957-06-03) (aged 65)
Natal, South Africa
Allegiance  United Kingdom
Service/branch  Royal Navy
Years of service 1907-1944
Rank Vice Admiral
Commands held HMS Dorsetshire
HMS Bulolo
Battles/wars World War I
World War II
Awards Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath
Distinguished Service Order

Vice Admiral Sir Benjamin Charles Stanley Martin KBE DSO (18 July 1891–3 June 1957) was a Royal Navy officer who was the first boy from the Royal Naval Hospital School, Greenwich, to reach flag rank in the Royal Navy. He was also the first officer from the lower deck to become a Rear-Admiral in modern times.[1]

Naval career

Martin was born on 18 July 1891 to Benjamin S. Martin and Alice (née Gawn). His father, a Petty Officer (1st class), was killed during the accidental sinking of HMS Victoria on 22 June 1893.[2] He attended the Royal Naval Hospital School in Greenwich, graduating into the Royal Navy in 1907 as boy sailor, first class. Promoted to warrant rank as gunner (torpedo) on 28 May 1915,[3] the following year he served at the Battle of Jutland in HMS Malaya in the 5th Battle Squadron under Rear-Admiral Hugh Evan-Thomas.

On 13 October 1916,[4] Martin was commissioned as Mate, and following a short transfer to a destroyer he returned to the Malaya. After promotion to Lieutenant on 13 May 1919,[5] Martin served as torpedo officer in the cruisers HMS Leviathan and HMS Kent. In 1924, Martin was given his first command on HMS Sable, attached to HMS Vernon, the Royal Navy torpedo school in Portsmouth.

Later Martin commanded the destroyers HMS Venetia and HMS Vortigern. Following his promotion to Commander on 30 June 1931,[6] Martin take charge of HMS Voyager as a division leader in the 1st Destroyer Flotilla in the Mediterranean. With promotion to the rank of captain on 30 June 1935,[7] Martin commanded the sloop HMS Folkestone on the China Station. Two years later, Martin was in command of the HMS Broke and the destroyer flotillas of the Reserve Fleet during the Coronation Naval Review (in 1937). After a spell at the Admiralty, Martin took command of HMS Dorsetshire.

Sinking of the Bismarck

As captain of the Dorsetshire, Martin was ordered in May 1941 to steam north from her convoy escort duties off Sierra Leone convoy to assist in the operations against the German battleship Bismarck. After intercepting the damaged Bismarck, "Dorsetshire applied the coup-de-grace with a final torpedo attack which sank the battleship at 11 am. on May 27. Martin received a DSO for his actions that day."

In 1942 Martin was appointed Commodore in Charge at Durban, and received a CBE in the 1944 New Year honours. With his promotion to Rear-Admiral on 7 July 1944,[8] Martin became the first officer in 87 years to reach flag rank having started on the lower decks. Shortly afterwards he was given command of the landing force aboard HMS Bulolo of the Eastern Fleet in 1945.

Martin retired from the Royal Navy in July 1944, and in recognition of his service he was awarded a KBE in June, 1946. He was promoted to Vice-Admiral on the retired list on 2 September 1948.[9]

Awards and honours

His Majesty has also been graciously pleased to give orders for the following Appointments to the Distinguished Service Order, and to approve the following Awards for mastery, determination and skill in action against the German Battleship Bismarck.
The King has been graciously pleased to give orders for the following promotions in, and appointments to, the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, 'for distinguished services during the war in the Far East'.

References

  1. ↑ "Benjamin Charles Stanley Martin DSO, RN". uboat.net. Retrieved 1 Nov 2013.
  2. ↑ http://www.memorials.inportsmouth.co.uk/city-centre/victoria.htm
  3. ↑ Navy List, October 1916, page 298
  4. ↑ Navy List, January 1919, page 413
  5. ↑ Navy List, July 1920, page 388a
  6. ↑ Navy List, January 1933, page 85
  7. ↑ Navy List, July 1947, page 128
  8. ↑ Navy List, July 1947, page 128
  9. ↑ Navy List, July 1949, page 153
  10. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 35029. p. 27. 1 January 1941. Retrieved 5 November 2013.
  11. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 35307. p. 5946. 14 October 1942. Retrieved 5 November 2013.
  12. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 37603. p. 2881. 7 June 1946. Retrieved 5 November 2013.
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