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Tony Martin obituary Tony Martin obituary
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My uncle Tony Martin, who has died aged 94, was a kindly, thoughtful teacher whose cheerful grin masked a yearning engagement with spiritual matters.My uncle Tony Martin, who has died aged 94, was a kindly, thoughtful teacher whose cheerful grin masked a yearning engagement with spiritual matters.
At the outbreak of the second world war, he became a conscientious objector, much to the distress of his father, the scientist EC Martin, a volunteer in the first world war. Tony came to regret his decision after working in London's East End during the blitz in 1940. He found food and shelter for families who had been bombed, often taking charge because there was no one else to do it. Convinced that Hitler must be defeated, he then joined the Royal Navy, hoping he would never have to kill anyone. At the outbreak of the second world war, he became a conscientious objector, much to the distress of his father, the scientist EC Martin, a volunteer in the first world war. Tony came to regret his decision after working in the East End of London during the blitz in 1940. He found food and shelter for families who had been bombed, often taking charge because there was no one else to do it. Convinced that Hitler must be defeated, he then joined the Royal Navy, hoping he would never have to kill anyone.
In 1943 he was posted as a radio operator/coder on an armed trawler, HMS Northern Sky, for convoy duty in the North Atlantic. It was "a primitive and uncomfortable old tub" and conditions were often appalling in freezing gales and high seas during numerous voyages to Newfoundland, Iceland and Russia, constantly in fear of attack by U-boats. He continually grappled with ethical and metaphysical questions, corresponding with my mother who shared his pacifist leanings. He told her "the veil is thin at times, and I am often conscious of higher powers".In 1943 he was posted as a radio operator/coder on an armed trawler, HMS Northern Sky, for convoy duty in the North Atlantic. It was "a primitive and uncomfortable old tub" and conditions were often appalling in freezing gales and high seas during numerous voyages to Newfoundland, Iceland and Russia, constantly in fear of attack by U-boats. He continually grappled with ethical and metaphysical questions, corresponding with my mother who shared his pacifist leanings. He told her "the veil is thin at times, and I am often conscious of higher powers".
Tony was born in Woodford, Essex, and discovered his abiding interest in religion and astrology at Worthing high school in West Sussex. He was stunned when the Anglican church rejected him as a minister.Tony was born in Woodford, Essex, and discovered his abiding interest in religion and astrology at Worthing high school in West Sussex. He was stunned when the Anglican church rejected him as a minister.
After the war he married Betty Walters, a partnership that lasted 61 years. He served as a teacher on a training cruiser, HMS Frobisher, gleefully returning from the Caribbean with a huge bunch of bananas.After the war he married Betty Walters, a partnership that lasted 61 years. He served as a teacher on a training cruiser, HMS Frobisher, gleefully returning from the Caribbean with a huge bunch of bananas.
Having adopted a baby, John, in 1951, Tony taught in several schools in Sussex and Herefordshire before becoming a lecturer in 1965 at a teacher-training college in Leicester. In retirement he pursued numerous interests, including attending University of the Third Age classes. He compiled a handwritten Book of Light, containing spiritual writings from disparate sources, from ancient Egyptian texts to Buddhist prayers.Having adopted a baby, John, in 1951, Tony taught in several schools in Sussex and Herefordshire before becoming a lecturer in 1965 at a teacher-training college in Leicester. In retirement he pursued numerous interests, including attending University of the Third Age classes. He compiled a handwritten Book of Light, containing spiritual writings from disparate sources, from ancient Egyptian texts to Buddhist prayers.
In 1987 Tony and Betty helped set up the Leicester branch of the Cruse Bereavement Care charity, where he kept typically meticulous records. Betty was often plagued by poor health and he gave uncomplaining love and support. Betty died in 2006. In 1987 Tony and Betty helped set up the Leicester branch of the Cruse Bereavement Care charity, where he kept typically meticulous records. Betty was often plagued by poor health and he gave uncomplaining love and support. She died in 2006.
As a Guardian-reading liberal, Tony was never dogmatic about his spiritual beliefs. He had no definitive answers, but never lost faith in exploring the questions.As a Guardian-reading liberal, Tony was never dogmatic about his spiritual beliefs. He had no definitive answers, but never lost faith in exploring the questions.
He is survived by John and his grandchildren Tim and Zoe.He is survived by John and his grandchildren Tim and Zoe.