Major Alfred (Tom) Martin and his wife, Enid, celebrating 70 years of marriage

A COUPLE, who lived in Jersey for over 20 years from the mid-60s have celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary at their home in Truro, Cornwall.

Major Alfred (Tom) Martin and his wife, Enid, who are both aged 91, marked the platinum occasion on 27 January 2010 with a small party at their home for friends and family. They have two daughters, Gillian and Lesley, seven grand children – two of whom, Claire and Elizabeth Martin, live in Jersey – and nine great grandchildren. Sadly, their son, Richard, died some years ago.

Although they left the Island over two decades ago, the couple have fond memories of the Island, especially because it was a place which allowed them to follow their passion for sailing.

Major Martin was elected Commodore of the Royal Channel Islands Yacht Club in 1972-73 and both he and his wife later became life members. It was only at the age of 80 that he decided to sell the sloop that the couple had owned for 27 years and he took up woodwork.

Even now, their favourite spots in Jersey would be St Aubin’s harbour and Belcroute Bay which was where they had moorings for the boat.

The couple of their wedding day

‘It was lovely,’ said Mrs Martin, recalling their time here. ‘We enjoyed it very much.’
Major Martin was born and educated in India and arrived in the UK in 1936, the same year that he joined the Territorial Army. He met his wife soon afterwards and the couple were married in Battersea in 1940 by which time he was serving as Lance Sergeant in the Royal Artillery. Mrs Martin moved to live with her new husband’s parents in Clapham and remained in London during the Blitz.

He returned from service in 1946 with the rank of Major and lived first in Battersea. He joined J Lyons and Company at Hammersmith in 1947 and worked there until 1964 when he moved to Jersey to work for the Overseas Trading Corporation (a Lyons subsidiary company) at First Tower, a company which packed and exported tea to world markets.
He eventually became a director of the company and travelled extensively during that time before he left to form his own company.

While in the Island, Mrs Martin was an enthusiastic member of the Jersey branch of the WRVS and pursued other interests and hobbies such as embroidery, painting and membership of the Women’s Institute.