H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Roll of Honour, Memorial to Sergeant William Ralph Martin

In Remembrance of
WILLIAM RALPH MARTIN

Photo of Royal Marine Sergeant William Ralph Martin, courtesy of Chris Sheldon, June 2009

Service: Royal Marines
Rank: Sergeant
Service Number: PO/X 1264
Date Joined Hood: Unknown
Biographical Information: William was born on 19 July 1915. He was the third son of eight children born to John and Selina Martin, of the Sycamores, Hollow Lane, Cheddleton, Leek, Staffordshire.

He attended Cheddleton Parish Church School and was a member of the Choir. He was also very popular and was a successful local athlete. He was a member of the Cheddleton Playing Fields football and cricket elevens. He worked at Messrs Brittains, Ltd paper mill before joining the Marines circa 1932.

William served in the Marines for approximately nine years. Four of those years were spent aboard H.M.S. Nelson. He was serving as a Sergeant (Temporary) and was 25 years old at the time of his loss. We have no additional information.

If you have any additional details, please contact us.

Memorial Information
Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Panel 58, Column 2 (click to view panel)
Also memorialised at
Hood Chapel, Church of St John the Baptist, Boldre, Hampshire

Additional Photographs
Photo of Royal Marine William Ralph Martin, courtesy of Allan Stretch, January 2008

Sources
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Allan Stretch (photo, January 2008)
CW Sheldon (information & photos, June 2009)
"The Leek Post and Times" June 1941
'Register of Deaths of Naval Ratings' (data extracted by Director of Naval Personnel (Disclosure Cell), Navy Command HQ