Benjamin Charles Stanley Martin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir Benjamin Charles Stanley Martin
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| Born | 18 July 1891 Isle of Wight, Hampshire, England |
| Died | 3 June 1957 (aged 65) Natal, South Africa |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 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 British Empire Distinguished Service Order |
Vice Admiral Sir Benjamin Charles Stanley Martin (18 July 1891 – 3 June 1957) was a brave officer in the Royal Navy. He made history by becoming the first boy from the Royal Naval Hospital School in Greenwich to reach a very high rank called "flag rank." This means he became an admiral.
He was also the first officer who started his career from the "lower deck" (meaning he wasn't from a wealthy family or trained as an officer from the start) to become a rear admiral while still actively serving. This was a huge achievement for someone who began as a regular sailor.
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Benjamin Charles Stanley Martin was born on July 18, 1891. His father was a Petty Officer in the Navy. Sadly, his father died when Benjamin was very young. He attended the Royal Naval Hospital School in Greenwich. This school helped children of naval families.
In 1907, Benjamin joined the Royal Navy as a "boy sailor, first class." This was the start of his amazing journey. He worked hard and was promoted to a warrant officer rank in 1915. He became a gunner (torpedo).
Rising Through the Ranks
The next year, in 1916, Benjamin Martin served in World War I. He was on HMS Malaya during the famous Battle of Jutland. This was a huge naval battle. After this, he was commissioned as an officer. This meant he could now lead others.
He quickly moved up the ranks. In 1919, he became a lieutenant. He served as a torpedo officer on large ships like HMS Leviathan and HMS Kent. In 1924, he got his first command. He was in charge of HMS Sable, a small warship.
Later, he commanded other destroyers, which are fast warships. In 1931, he was promoted to commander. He then led a group of destroyers in the Mediterranean Sea. By 1935, he became a captain. He commanded HMS Folkestone in China.
The Sinking of the Bismarck
One of Captain Martin's most famous moments was in May 1941. He was commanding the cruiser HMS Dorsetshire during World War II. His ship was ordered to help find and sink the powerful German battleship, Bismarck.
The Bismarck was a very dangerous enemy ship. After it was damaged, Dorsetshire was ordered to attack it with torpedoes. Captain Martin's actions helped to sink the Bismarck on May 27, 1941. For his bravery and skill, he received the Distinguished Service Order award.
Later Career and Retirement
In 1942, Captain Martin was given an important role in Durban, South Africa. He was promoted to rear admiral on July 7, 1944. This was a historic moment. He was the first officer in 87 years to reach this high rank after starting as a regular sailor.
Soon after, he commanded a landing force on HMS Bulolo in 1945. This was part of the Eastern Fleet. After a long and distinguished career, Martin retired from the Royal Navy.
In 1946, he was honored with a KBE award. This meant he became "Sir" Benjamin Martin. He was promoted to vice admiral in 1948, even though he was retired. Sir Benjamin Martin passed away on June 3, 1957.
Awards and Recognition
Sir Benjamin Martin received several important awards for his service:
- Mention in Despatches: This recognized his good service in January 1941.
- Distinguished Service Order (DSO): He received this for his important role in sinking the German battleship Bismarck.
- Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE): This high honor made him "Sir" Benjamin Martin. He received it in 1946 for his excellent service during the war.
