Donald Martin (25 Jan 1926 - 22 Dec 2021)

In loving memory of Donald Martin who sadly passed away on 22nd December 2021

Don was born in Wimbledon on 25 January 1926 to parents Jack and May. They later moved to Monkleigh Road in Morden. Jack worked as an electrician at India House in the Strand and Don fondly remembered the grand Christmas parties that used to be given for all the employees’ children. He passed his scholarship exams with flying colours, enabling him to attend Rutlish School and from there, in April 1944 he went on to a Naval short course at Cardiff University where 2 days a week were given over to Naval training. His subsequent National Service in the Royal Marines involved postings to Cardiff, Deal, Chatham, Eastney and North Wales, the latter being with the Special Boat Section – part of preparations for a planned invasion of Japan.
On completion of National Service he applied to Trinity College, Cambridge to read English. Called for interview, it rained heavily on the day, and at the end of the 3 mile walk from the station, he was soaked to the skin. His interviewer sat him in front of the fire with a glass of sherry. Dad always maintained that he passed the interview because the Master felt sorry for him.
Don met Stella at a social evening in 1947, and, at the end of the evening she said to him that ‘You’ve made quite an impression’. They married on 11 August 1949 whilst Don, having graduated from Cambridge, was doing his education year for a career in teaching at Epsom. They moved to Guildford when Don took up his first post at the Royal Grammar School in 1950.
In August 1952 he became a father with the birth of Paul, and again in 1955 with Catherine. In 1959 he was successful in gaining the post of Head of English at Churcher’s College. Veronica was born in 1961 and a few days later, Don was on TV representing Petersfield in a Southern Television general knowledge quiz show, competing against Eastleigh in ‘Beat Your Neighbour’. Don stayed at Churcher’s where as well as inspiring a love of literature in generations of his pupils, he was head of Nelson House, a rugby referee, producer of school plays and an officer in the CCF, until his retirement in 1986.
Don first became a grandfather in 1983 to Paul and Jill’s twins Ben & James and later Charlotte arrived, followed by Nicholas, Richard & Oliver, born to Veronica and Mark. He later became a proud great grandfather to Ben and Zena’s George & Rosie, James and Melissa’s Ella Rose & Duncan and Nicholas and Hannah’s Oscar.
From 1989 onwards, Don and Stella discovered a love of travel and enjoyed 37 cruises, visiting many parts of the world, their favourite places being Norway and Madeira.