Desmond Samuel Royce Martin DSO, RN
| Born | 23 Sep 1912 | ||
| Died | 3 May 1950 | (37) | HMS Dolphin (shore base Southampton) |
| Ranks
Decorations
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Warship Commands listed for Desmond Samuel Royce Martin, RN
| Ship | Rank | Type | From | To |
| HMS H 28 (N 28) | Lt. | Submarine | 17 Apr 1941 | 20 Jun 1941 |
| HMS Una (N 87) | Lt. | Submarine | 7 Jul 1941 | 16 Feb 1942 |
| HMS Ultimatum (P 34) | Lt. | Submarine | 12 Nov 1942 | 3 Dec 1942 |
| HMS Seadog (P 216) | Lt. | Submarine | 4 Dec 1942 | 15 Mar 1943 |
| HMS Tuna (N 94) | Lt. | Submarine | 15 Mar 1943 | 8 Oct 1943 |
| HMS Terrapin (P 323) | Lt. | Submarine | 10 Oct 1943 | 30 Aug 1944 |
Career information
We currently have no career / biographical information on this officer.
Events related to this officer
Submarine HMS Una (N 87)
12 Feb 1942
HMS Una (Lt. D.S.R. Martin, RN) torpedoes and sinks the Italian tanker Luciana (8106 GRT) about 20 nautical miles north-east of Crotone, Calabria, Italy in position 39º20'N, 17º25'E.
Submarine HMS Tuna (N 94)
1 Apr 1943
HMS Tuna (Lt. D.S.R. Martin, RN) departs Holy Loch for her 18th war patrol. She is ordered to patrol in the Norwegian Sea.
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Tuna during this patrol see the map below.
HMS Tuna 18th war patrolclick here for bigger map
3 Apr 1943
HMS Tuna (Lt. D.S.R. Martin, RN) makes a short call at Lerwick before proceeding on patrol.
7 Apr 1943
The German submarine U-644 was sunk in the North Sea north-west of Narvik, Norway, in position 69º38'N, 05º40'W, by torpedoes from the British submarine HMS Tuna (Lt. D.S.R. Martin, RN).
(All times are zone -2)
2103 hours - In position 69º38'N, 05º40'W heard diesel HE bearing 190 degrees. Commenced attack.
2105 hours - Sighted German u-boat, enemy course 280 degrees, speed 11 knots, range 500 yards.
2109 hours - Fired five torpedoes (six were ordered but one failed to leave the tube).
2109.50 hours - Heard one explosion.
2109.57 hours - Heard another explosion, HE ceased and breaking up noises were heard.
2119 hours - Heard three loud explosions, these must have been the remaining torpedoes exploding at the ends of their run.
2123 hours - Surfaced amid wreckage and oil fuel. Also two dead bodies were sighted. One swimming survivor was also sighted but he drowned and sunk before he could be picked up.
14 Apr 1943
HMS Tuna (Lt. D.S.R. Martin, RN) attacks the German submarine U-302 with 4 torpedoes south of Jan Mayen Island in position 70º33'N, 07º10'W. The torpedoes however miss their target.
(All times are zone -2)
0702 hours - Heard diesel HE bearing 315 degrees.
0705 hours - Observed the conning tower of a u-boat bearing 324 degrees. Range was 9000 yards.
0731 hours - Fired 8 torpedoes from 5000 yards. All torpedoes missed their target.
19 Apr 1943
HMS Tuna (Lt. D.S.R. Martin, RN) ends her 18th war patrol at Lerwick. She departs later that day for Holy Loch.
21 Apr 1943
HMS Tuna (Lt. D.S.R. Martin, RN) arrives at Holy Loch.
14 May 1943
HMS Tuna (Lt. D.S.R. Martin, RN) departs Holy Loch for her 19th war patrol. She is ordered to patrol in the Norwegian Sea.
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Tuna during this patrol see the map below.
HMS Tuna 19th war patrolclick here for bigger map
30 May 1943
HMS Tuna (Lt. D.S.R. Martin, RN) attacks the German submarine U-341 with 8 torpedoes in the Norwegian Sea in position 64º17'N, 00º43'E. All torpedoes fired missed their target dispite the fact that Lt. Martin claims a sinking.
(All times are zone -2) 1411 hours - Observed the conning tower of a submarine bearing 008 degrees. Range was about 9000 yards. Started attack.
1442 hours - Fired 8 torpedoes from 8000 yards.
1451 hours - Just after the first explosion was heard the stern of the enemy submarine was seen to be enveloped in thick black smoke. She was seen to sink stern first at an angle of about 10 degrees.
Note: The target was not hit.
3 Jun 1943
HMS Tuna (Lt. D.S.R. Martin, RN) ends her 19th war patrol at Lerwick.
4 Jun 1943
HMS Tuna (Lt. D.S.R. Martin, RN) departs Lerwick for Holy Loch.
6 Jun 1943
HMS Tuna (Lt. D.S.R. Martin, RN) arrives at Holy Loch.
23 Jun 1943
HMS Tuna (Lt. D.S.R. Martin, DSO, RN) departs Holy Loch for exercises with aircraft off the West coast of Scotland.
28 Jun 1943
HMS Tuna (Lt. D.S.R. Martin, DSO, RN) returns to Holy Loch.
2 Jul 1943
HMS Tuna (Lt. D.S.R. Martin, DSO, RN) is docked at Holy Loch.
5 Jul 1943
HMS Tuna (Lt. D.S.R. Martin, DSO, RN) is undocked.
10 Jul 1943
HMS Tuna (Lt. D.S.R. Martin, DSO, RN) departs Holy Loch for her 20th war patrol. She is ordered to patrol in the North Atlantic North of the Azores.
For the daily positions of HMS Tuna during this patrol see the map below.
HMS Tuna 20th war patrolclick here for bigger map
23 Jul 1943
HMS Tuna (Lt. D.S.R. Martin, DSO, RN) ends her 20th war patrol at Holy Loch.
15 Aug 1943
HMS Tuna (Lt. D.S.R. Martin, DSO and Bar, RN) departs Holy Loch for her 21th war patrol. She is ordered to patrol in the Bay of Biscay.
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Tuna during this patrol see the map below.
HMS Tuna 21st war patrolclick here for bigger map
22 Aug 1943
HMS Tuna (Lt. D.S.R. Martin, DSO and Bar, RN) makes a torpedo attack on a German submarine in position 47º18'N, 04º26'W. All torpedoes fired missed their target dispite the claim of a sinking.
(All times are zone -1)
1147 hours - Sighted masts and upperworks of five minesweepers bearing 200 degrees. Distance 5 nautical miles, course 025 degrees. As there were no A/S transmissions it was thought that these minesweepers were no escorts but were sweeping. Inside this screen of sweeping minesweepers 2 uboats were present. Started attack.
1206 hours - Fired 8 torpedoes at one of the u-boats from 3000 yards. It was first intended to fire at both u-boats but the closest one was now much to close to be firing at. Upon firing Tuna went to 150 feet. However no counter attack followed.
1208 hours - One small explosion heard overhead.
1209 hours - Two torpedo explosions were heard, these are thought to be hits as HE of the target ceased.
Upon coming to periscope depth at 2000 hours it was discovered that Tuna had cought a paravane of one of the minesweepers. This was removed and the damage caused by it was repaired.
Note dispite the claim for a sinking this was not the case. The u-boats attacked were most likely U-505 and U-515. Both had left Lorient at 2200 hours the previous day but returned at 1840 hours on the 22nd after U-505 had developed a fuel leak.
25 Aug 1943
HMS Tuna (Lt. D.S.R. Martin, DSO and Bar, RN) ends her 21th war patrol at Holy Loch. This was Tuna's last patrol. As new construction was now available in numbers Tuna was assigned to training duties. Tuna had troubles with her engines from the start, this was most likely also the reason for her being based in home waters for her entire career.
16 Sep 1943
HMS Tuna (Lt. D.S.R. Martin, DSO and Bar, RN) departs Holy Loch to proceed to Scapa Flow. Here she will be used for A/S exercises.
18 Sep 1943
HMS Tuna (Lt. D.S.R. Martin, DSO and Bar, RN) arrives at Scapa Flow.
30 Sep 1943
HMS Tuna (Lt. D.S.R. Martin, DSO and Bar, RN) departs Scapa Flow bound for Holy Loch.
2 Oct 1943
HMS Tuna (Lt. D.S.R. Martin, DSO and Bar, RN) arrives at Holy Loch.
Submarine HMS Terrapin (P 323)
19 Jan 1944
HMS Terrapin (Lt.Cdr. D.S.R. Martin, DSO and 2 bars, RN) departs Barrow for Holy Loch.
20 Jan 1944
HMS Terrapin (Lt.Cdr. D.S.R. Martin, DSO and 2 bars, RN) arrives at Holy Loch to begin a period of trials and training.
16 Mar 1944
HMS Terrapin (Lt.Cdr. D.S.R. Martin, DSO and 2 bars, RN) departs Holy Loch for her 1st war patrol. She is to proceed with dispatch to Lerwick and then to patrol off Southern Norway. The British are under the impression that the German battleship Tirpitz will return to Germany for repairs.
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Terrapin during this patrol see the map below.
HMS Terrapin 1st war patrolclick here for bigger map
17 Mar 1944
HMS Terrapin (Lt.Cdr. D.S.R. Martin, DSO and 2 bars, RN) toppers off with fuel at Lerwick. After this short stop she proceeds on patrol.
24 Mar 1944
HMS Terrapin (Lt.Cdr. D.S.R. Martin, DSO and 2 bars, RN) attacks a German convoy off Lista, Norway in position 58º09'N, 06º28'E and torpedoes and damages the German catapult ship Schwabenland (8186 GRT, built 1925) and the German tanker Wörth (6256 GRT, former Dutch Omala, built 1938). The Schwabenland is grounded to prevent her from sinking and the Wörth is towed to port. Both ships were out of action for the remainder of the war.
(All times are zone -1)
1200 hours - Sighted two Arado float planes and several ME 109's patrolling to the Northwards. Prepared to attack to upcoming convoy.
1253 hours - Sighted that the convoy was made up of 2 columns, 6 ships in all. The first column was seen to be made up of 1 tanker of 5000 tons, 1 merchant of 4000 tons and one of 1000 tons. The second column was made up of a 3000 tons tanker and 2 1000 tons merchants. The escorts was made up of 2 M-class minesweepers ahead of each column with a trawler on each beam and another one astern, so 3 trawlers in all.
1312 hours - Fired 4 torpedoes at the leading ship of the Starboard column (the tanker type of 5000 tons).
1313 hours - Fired 2 torpedoes at the second ship in the Starboard column (the merchant of 4000 tons).
One hit was observed on the first target and another torpedo was also hit this target but could not be observed as Terrapin was spotted by one of the escorting minesweepers that started dropping depth charges. 33 Depth charges in all were dropped by the escorts but these did little damage.
2 Apr 1944
HMS Terrapin (Lt.Cdr. D.S.R. Martin, DSO and 2 bars, RN) ends her 1st war patrol at Lerwick.
6 Apr 1944
HMS Terrapin (Lt.Cdr. D.S.R. Martin, DSO and 2 bars, RN) departs Lerwick for Holy Loch.
9 Apr 1944
HMS Terrapin (Lt.Cdr. D.S.R. Martin, DSO and 2 bars, RN) arrives at Holy Loch.
30 Apr 1944
HMS Terrapin (Lt.Cdr. D.S.R. Martin, DSO and 2 bars, RN) departs Holy Loch bound for Gibraltar. She is to proceed to the Far East.
For the daily positions of HMS Terrapin during this passage see the map below.
HMS Terrapin U.K. - Trincomaleeclick here for bigger map
11 May 1944
HMS Terrapin (Lt.Cdr. D.S.R. Martin, DSO and 2 bars, RN) arrives at Gibraltar.
15 May 1944
HMS Terrapin (Lt.Cdr. D.S.R. Martin, DSO and 2 bars, RN) departs Gibraltar bound for Malta.
20 May 1944
HMS Terrapin (Lt.Cdr. D.S.R. Martin, DSO and 2 bars, RN) arrives at Malta.
27 May 1944
HMS Terrapin (Lt.Cdr. D.S.R. Martin, DSO and 2 bars, RN) departs Malta bound for Port Said.
1 Jun 1944
HMS Terrapin (Lt.Cdr. D.S.R. Martin, DSO and 2 bars, RN) arrives at Port Said.
2 Jun 1944
HMS Terrapin (Lt.Cdr. D.S.R. Martin, DSO and 2 bars, RN) transits the Suez Canal.
3 Jun 1944
HMS Terrapin (Lt.Cdr. D.S.R. Martin, DSO and 2 bars, RN) departs Suez bound for Aden.
10 Jun 1944
HMS Terrapin (Lt.Cdr. D.S.R. Martin, DSO and 2 bars, RN) arrives at Aden.
14 Jun 1944
HMS Terrapin (Lt.Cdr. D.S.R. Martin, DSO and 2 bars, RN) departs Aden bound for Colombo.
23 Jun 1944
HMS Terrapin (Lt.Cdr. D.S.R. Martin, DSO and 2 bars, RN) arrives at Colombo.
28 Jun 1944
HMS Terrapin (Lt.Cdr. D.S.R. Martin, DSO and 2 bars, RN) is docked at Colombo.
11 Jul 1944
HMS Terrapin (Lt.Cdr. D.S.R. Martin, DSO and 2 bars, RN) is undocked.
14 Jul 1944
HMS Terrapin (Lt.Cdr. D.S.R. Martin, DSO and 2 bars, RN) departs Colombo bound for Trincomalee.
16 Jul 1944
HMS Terrapin (Lt.Cdr. D.S.R. Martin, DSO and 2 bars, RN) arrives at Trincomalee.
23 Jul 1944
HMS Terrapin (Lt.Cdr. D.S.R. Martin, DSO and 2 bars, RN) departs Trincomalee for her 2nd war patrol. She is ordered to patrol off the West coast of Sumatra. She is also to perform a special operation.
For the daily and attack positions of HMS Terrapin during this patrol see the map below.
HMS Terrapin 2nd war patrolclick here for bigger map
30 Jul 1944
HMS Terrapin (Lt.Cdr. D.S.R. Martin, DSO and 2 bars, RN) makes a torpedo attack on an escorted Japanese merchant vessel off the West coast of Sumatra, Netherlands East Indies in position 01º24'N, 98º42'E . Four torpedoes were fired but these all missed their target.
(All times are zone -6.5)
0825 hours - Sighted smoke bearing 174 degrees.
0915 hours - In position 01º24'N, 98º42'E started an attack on a merchant vessel of about 1500 tons that was escorted by a modern looking ML.
0930 hours - Fired four torpedoes against the merchant vessel from 1000 yards. It appeared that the periscope was spotted as the target changed course and turned end on immediately after firing.
The ML hunted terrapin for about half an hour but did not drop any depth charges.
5 Aug 1944
HMS Terrapin (Lt.Cdr. D.S.R. Martin, DSO and 2 bars, RN) bombards the pier at Gunung Sitoli (Nias Island), western Sumatra. A Japanese coaster is sunk with gunfire another is either damaged or destroyed by fire.
(All times are zone -6.5)
1452 hours - Surfaced in position 01º18'N, 97º36'E for gun action. The targets were two coasters moored alongside Gunung Sitoli pier. Range was 2000 yards. 22 rounds were fired for 15 hits. The inside coaster was seen to be sinking, the other was on fire. As Trespasser was now taken under fire by a gun on the shore the action had to be broken off and she dived to safety.
10 Aug 1944
During 10 and 11 August 1944 HMS Terrapin (Lt.Cdr. D.S.R. Martin, DSO and 2 bars, RN) performs a special operation. She is part of 'Operation Boomerang'. American B-29 bombers are dropping mines in Japanese occupied territory. Terrapin is to act as beacon for planes proceeding towards Palembang. If needed she is also to carry out air/sea rescue duties. No planes were lost during this raid.
17 Aug 1944
HMS Terrapin (Lt.Cdr. D.S.R. Martin, DSO and 2 bars, RN) ends her 2nd war patrol (1st in the Far East) at Trincomalee.