The Airmen's Stories - Sub/Lt. (FAA) R M S Martin

Richard Maurice Scott Martin was born on 8th April 1920 in Hawick, Scotland, the son of George Richard Forster Martin (1884-1949) and Elizabeth Nichol (nee Jack 1883-1964).

His father was an official with the Post & Telegraph organisation in Kenya. A younger brother, Ian Henry Forster Martin (1923-1969) served in the FAA and was awarded a DSC.

RMS Martin joined the Fleet Air Arm in 1939 and was trained at No.3 Pilots Course which ran from 8th May to 4th November 1939 at 1 FTS Netheravon.

He was recorded as flying Blackburn Skuas with 801 Squadron in early 1940 from Detling.

On 31st May four Skuas were tasked with bombing enemy pontoon bridges across the Nieuport Canal, threatening the Dunkirk perimeter.

The sortie was successful but three Skuas were lost, only that flown by Martin and Naval Airman R Hedger returned, with Hedger wounded and the aircraft full of bullet holes.

By July 1940 he was with 808 Squadron at Wick, flying Fulmars in dockyard defence. 808 embarked on HMS Ark Royal on 22nd October 1940.

At around midday on 27th November 1940 the British and Italian fleets clashed in what was later called the Battle of Cape Spartivento. Ten SM79s arrived over Force “H” and seven Fulmars of 808 Squadron, which were airborne, intercepted at 14:30 claiming two or three victories without being able to stop them. The Fulmars were in turn bounced by the CR42 escort.

Fulmar N1941 (piloted by Martin and with L/A A L M Noble as crewman) was shot down into the sea with the loss of the crew.

Martin is commemorated on the FAA Memorial, Lee-on-Solent.