Actions

Phillip Herbert Martin DFC & Bar

From Our Contribution

Revision as of 17:13, 19 April 2020 by Linton (talk | contribs) (Notes)
Phillip Herbert Martin DFC & Bar
Martin Phillip Herbert.jpg
Martin Phillip Herbert 2.jpg
Personal Information
Date of Birth 19 Jul 1923
Place of Birth Gosnells, Western Australia
Death 25 Jan 2010, aged 86
Place of Death Carnarvon, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment 18 years, 9 months
Occupation clerk
Religion Church of England
Address Kelmscott, Western Australia
Next of Kin Father , Mr Herbert Martin
Military Information
Reg Number 427006
Date of Enlistment 26 Apr 1942
Rank Flying Officer
Unit/Formation No. 617 Squadron RAF
Post War Details
Fate Returned to Australia
Medals Distinguished Flying Cross
1939-45 Star
Air Crew Europe Star
France & Germany Star



Pre War

Diagnosed with asthma, Phil spent part of his childhood at Southern Cross living with an aunt. He won a scholarship to the Eastern Goldfields High School, but later attended the Perth boys School until 1938.

War Service

Phil had flown 30 missions with No 61 Squadron RAF prior to being invited to join No. 617 Squadron RAF after the raids on German dams, flying Avro Lancaster aircraft.

The Kembs Barrage was a dam 10 km north west of Basel in Switzerland.


Discharged 18 Jan 1946

Award Comment

"For courage and devotion to duty in flying operations against the enemy". [1] The more detailed citation reads:

He's a most skilful and determined pilot who has never let the adverse weather or enemy opposition deter him from completing his mission. At all times this officer has displayed courage, fine leadership and unfailing devotion to duty.

The same wording was used for the award of a Bar to his DFC. [2] This sortie was the attack on Kembs Barrage, and the more detailed citation reads:

Flying Officer Martin has completed very many sorties and has displayed outstanding keenness and devotion to duty. In October 1944 he piloted one of the formation aircraft detailed to attack the sluice gates of the Kembs Barrage. In spite of intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire, he pressed home the most determined attack.

Post War

During 1946 Phillip was a member of a musical group in Roleystone known as 'The Hilarions'. On 5 Feb 1949 Phillip married another member of the group, Mavis Irene Fuller in St Andrews Church, Perth. Born in 1921, Mavis died on 15 Jun 2003 at Mt Nasura, aged 81. They had four children, Deb, Anne, Glenda and Owen.

Electoral Roll entries: 1949 - 1958 at River road, Kelmscott, photographer; 1968 - 1980 at 8 Dale street, Kelmscott, photographer

Martin Philip Herbert obit-1.jpg
Marti Philip Herbert obit 2.jpg

Notes

His brother Ernest Gordon Martin served initially with he 2nd (Fremantle) VDC Battalion, but later in 1943 he joined the RAAF.

  1. Commonwealth of Australia Gazette 7 Dec 1944 on page 2701, position 7 & London Gazette 5 Dec 1944 on page 5579 , position 2
  2. Commonwealth of Australia Gazette 17 May 1945 on page 1129 & London Gazette 8 May 1945

External Links