Evelyn Martin

Commander Evelyn George Martin (22 March 1881 – 27 April 1945) was a British sailor, writer and cricketer. He was educated at Eton and New College, Oxford, where he was awarded a cricket Blue, and served in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve during the First World War. He was born in Upton-on-Severn, Worcestershire. Sailing A 6' 7" tall bachelor of independent means with family connections to Martin's bank (merged with Barclays Bank in 1969), his interest in working boats under sail was kindled by his trips on Brixham trawlers. In 1923 he purchased the French pilot cutter Jolie Brise and sailed her to victory in the first Fastnet Race of 1925. He was the founder and first Commodore of the Ocean Racing Club (RORC), and later Admiral until he died. After selling Jolie Brise he worked Thames barges on England's east coast. Martin wrote many articles for Yachting World and three books: Deep Water Cruising (1928); Sailorman (1933); Helmsmanship (1934).