A Royal Humane Society bronze medal awarded to Warrant Officer J. P. Martin, Royal Navy, who later attested for the Australian Expeditionary Force at the outbreak of the Great War

Royal Humane Society, small bronze medal (successful) (John P. Martin, A.B., H.M.S. “Briton.” 7th. Novr. 1885.) lacking integral bronze riband buckle, nearly very fine £160-£200

R.H.S. Case No. 23,608.
The Eastern Evening News of 2 September 1887 gives the following account: ‘The silver medal granted to Lieutenant Ernest James Fleet, R.A., and the bronze medal to John Philip Martin, second captain of the quarterdeck, and Lawrence Hennessy, A.B., all of Her Majesty’s ship Briton, for saving the life of R. G. Brice, A.B., off the East African coast. The first cutter, whilst in tow of the steam cutter, was upset amongst the breakers, but the crew were picked up with the exception of Brice, who was seen some distance off in distress. Lieutenant Fleet jumped overboard and swam 150 yards to his assistance, but the surf was so strong that they both had to cling to the swamped boat. Martin and Hennessy then swam out in turn, the latter with a life buoy, by the help of which Brice was ultimately rescued’

John Philip Martin was born at Cawsand, Cornwall, on 1 January 1861, the second child of fisherman John Bral Martin of Rame. His obituary, published in The Hampshire Telegraph & Post on 24 September 1937, states:
‘Horndean Resident’s Death - Retired Naval Warrant Officer’s Interesting Career.
Old Horndean sustained another loss on September 15, in the person of Mr. John Philip Martin, an ex-naval warrant officer, who died suddenly at his residence in St. Ann’s Road. Mr. Martin, who was in his 77th year, was well known and highly respected. He had led an adventurous and useful life, and endeared himself to all with whom he had come into contact.
In 1876 he joined H.M.S. Impregnable, and the following year was transferred to H.M.S. Condor, and saw service in the Black Sea. During the Sudan War, while serving with H.M.S. Briton, he was awarded the [Egypt and] Sudan Medal and [Khedive’s] Star. He was promoted in 1886 to Petty Officer following gallantry in saving the lives of the crew of a cutter, and also rescuing Able Seaman R. G. Brice, at the risk of his own life, by swimming out into the breakers and supporting him till help arrived. He was promoted to warrant rank six months before time for conspicuous service, when his ship was caught in a gale in the Pacific. Later, as a Warrant Officer with a landing party, he assisted in capturing Benin City, and in 1897 was awarded the [East and West] Africa Medal and Benin Clasp. He also saw service as coxswain of a cutter engaged in suppressing the slave trade near Pemba Island, East Coast of Africa.
Retiring from the Royal Navy on pension in 1900, he became a licensee of the Inn at Hog’s Lodge, Horndean. In 1912, the lust for travel again became all conquering in him, and he went to Australia. In 1914, when war broke out, he enlisted in the Australian Expeditionary Force, and came back to England, where he was on home service until 1919. He then settled down in Horndean again.’