Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Edward William Martin OBE

Francis Edward William Martin ('Birdie') was born in October 1939. He was commissioned into the Parachute Regiment (1 PARA) as a 2nd Lieutenant on December 16, 1960. 

He completed parachute course no.529 at RAF Abingdon from 6 to 29 March, 1961. The description for this course states "all pupils worked hard and reached a satisfactory standard of performance on parachuting. Equipment handling was particularly good. Generally, weather conditions were most suitable and the flying programme ran smoothly. A good course."

Martin was promoted to a Lieutenant on June 16, 1962. During patrolling in the Radfan in 1965, a 1 PARA historical record noted: "Lt Martin was congratulated on the birth of a daughter on the 17th of April, and also on his promotion to temporary Captain on the 6th of May". Thereafter he achieved the rank of Captain on 16 December, 1966, shortly before 1 PARA was deployed to Aden in May the following year. The late Colonel Geoffrey Brierley, OC D Company, 1 PARA, recalled Martin's part in the Jungle Warfare School in Johor, Malaysia, in early 1967:

"The company had been “raised” and” trained” by the late great Joe Starling who had handed over to me in early January with some reluctance as he really wanted to take them into action. We made up for this undergoing Jungle Training at the Jungle Warfare School in Johore, which was a breeze as Capt Birdy Martin and CSM Middy Campbell ran a "well oiled machine". 

Whilst in Aden, Martin was the adjutant to the CO, Lt Col (later Maj Gen) Mike Walsh, making him the most senior Captain in 1 PARA. Despite the serious political unrest, there were some opportunities for diversion. Major Tony Watson, OC B Company, recalled:

"The previous night several Centurions (Wilkes, Brierley and Watson) together with Joe Starling and Birdie Martin – the Adjt got rather boisterous . The CO was entertaining Charles Douglas Hume, the Times defence correspondent, nearby with John Epplestone and Roger Jones, and it was clear the CO was not amused by the antics of the boisterous boozers. During the evening it got worse despite messages to cool it. Next morning the three Centurions were marched into the CO’s office for a serious rollicking, followed by Joe and Birdie separately. On pain of being sent home, all were told to behave in future, which of course they did!"

After returning from Aden in November 1967, 1 PARA resumed regular duties. Martin advanced to the rank of Major on December 31, 1972. This enabled him to take the job of GSO2, HQ 16 Parachute Brigade from 1975 to 77. Subsequently he became GSO2 Wpns 3 DGW (A) from 1978 to 80. During this second stint he became a Lieutenant Colonel, his highest rank, on December 31, 1979. At some point in his career he took part in a year long exchange scheme with Bulmer's cider (though it is not known where the Bulmer's executive was sent in the trade, he was not with a PARA Battalion).

From 1980 to 1982 he was CO of 10 PARA (V). He was awarded an OBE on December 31, 1982 in recognition of his efforts. He retired from the Army on February 1, 1986. 

'Birdie' Martin died on December 1, 2023 in a care home in France. His wife, Barbara, had died a few years prior.