Ajax Veterans Street Dedication: Martinworth Lane

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Street Name: Martinworth Lane
Name of Veteran: Reginald Alfred Martin Oct. 14, 1895-1957
Rank: Chief Engine Room Artificer
Ship Served: HMS Achilles
Date of Service on Ship: Nov. 30, 1938 to Nov. 4, 1940
Year of Visit/Dedication: n/a
Veteran or Family Visit: n/a
Veteran of the Battle of the River Plate: Yes
Died at Battle: No

Reginald Alfred Martin was born in Portsmouth, UK in 1895. He joined the Royal Navy as a boy Artificer onboard HMS Fisgard in 1911. He passed for E.R.A (Engine Room Artificer) in 1915 where he went on to serve HMS Victory, HMS Britannia, HMS Renown, and HMS Terror. Reginald married Ann Elizabeth Bull, also from Portsmouth, and had a daughter, Valerie, in January 1921. It was about this time that Reginald immigrated to New Zealand with his wife, daughter, and extended family, joining, what was then, the New Zealand division of the Royal Navy. Reginald and Ann had 2 sons, Garth in May 1928, and Rex in May 1930.

Reginald served most of the ships that made up the New Zealand division of the Royal Navy, including HMS Philomel, HMS Dunedin, HMS Diomede, and HMS Leander. He reached the rank of Chief Engine Room Artificer whilst serving HMS Diomede.

Joining the Leander-class light cruiser, HMS Achilles in Nov 1938 as Chief Engine Room Artificer (First Class), Reginald and saw action at the Battle of the River Plate. On February 23, 1940, he was mentioned in Despatches for good conduct.

In October 1941, the Royal New Zealand Navy was created. Reginald returned to HMS Philomel, which had been recommissioned as HMNZS Philomel, the main training base in Davenport, Auckland, NZ. He served HMS Philomel until Apr 1947.

Reginald held the following medals which his family have great pride is wearing on notable occasions, including services commemorating the Battle of the River Plate.

World War I: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
World War II: 1939-45 Star, Atlantic Star, War Medal with MID, NZ War Service Medal, George V Jubilee 1935, Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.

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