Club honours WWII veteran Alfie Martin

Mr Martin had a distinguished RAF career in the Second World War and this was the topic of conversation at a recent luncheon hosted by Club President Tom Millar.

Speaking at the lunch the President paid tribute to Mr Martin’s outstanding public service.

In the Second World War, Mr Martin served in the RAF 102 squadron and noted amongst his exploits was the time while flying in a Halifax bomber he was shot down over the French-Belgian border on the night of 17 April 1943.

He managed to bale out and escaped capture, and after many months avoiding capture he arrived in Gibraltar in June 1943 thanks to the help of the French resistance.

For his bravery he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

At 96 years old Mr. Martin is still active in many organisations, among them ex-servicemen’s organisations.

He is regularly invited to remembrance events as one of the remaining World War 2 veterans. When asked about life during the war, Mr. Martin said “that he didn’t let the war interrupt his social life”, an attitude which epitomises his attitude to life to this day.