When Eric Martin was elected Branch President in December 2009, he was only the sixth person to hold the office since the Branch was founded in 1921, following in the footsteps of highly esteemed past Presidents.

Born in 1926, Eric was a tireless voluntary worker throughout his life, being actively involved in the Spenborough Branch for over 30 years. He only stood down as Welfare Officer when he was aged 85 after serving as principal case worker for fifteen years. He was awarded the Gold Badge of The Royal British Legion.

More than thirteen voluntary organisations benefited from Eric's time and extraordinary ability, such as West Yorkshire and Spen Valley Scouts, Air Yorkshire Aviation Society, Amateur Swimming Association, Citizens Advice Bureau, St John Ambulance Association, Girl Guides Association, Royal Life Saving Society, Huddersfield Former Students Association, and the 2 Para Association.

In May 2012, Eric was awarded an Honorary Scouter Award for a lifetime of service to Scouting. He became a Scout Leader in Bradford in 1948, and from 1951–1953, he served as the Secretary of the University of Liverpool Scout and Guide Club. He also served for many years as the Secretary of the Spen Valley Scout Fellowship, a County Advisor for Air Activities until 2006, and was a member of the Deep Sea Scout Fellowship and the Air Scouts.

An active member of St John's Church in Cleckheaton, Eric took particular pleasure when his own Vicar, the Rev Brunel James, accepted the office of Branch Chaplain.

Eric's interesting working life saw him serve as a Probation Officer. His obsession with studying enabled him to obtain a BA degree in Educational Studies and Social Sciences, and he went on to be a Lecturer in charge of English and Social Studies at Thomas Danby College in Leeds, from which position he retired.

In 2006, Eric accepted the honour of being awarded the MBE, which was personally presented to him by Her Majesty the Queen at an Investiture at Buckingham Palace in March 2006. The citation was for voluntary community work.

Regarding his military career, Eric had the distinction of having worn the uniforms of two Services and served with the third!

Eric joined the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm in 1944. Always interested in aircraft, he proceeded to Canada to undergo pilot training. Unfortunately for Eric, in 1945, the Navy decided that they had enough pilots, and his training was terminated. Still interested in flying, Eric said, "If I couldn't fly aircraft, the next best thing was to jump out of them," so he joined The Parachute Regiment.

His service covered the Fleet Air Arm in Canada, 16 Para in India, and 2 Para in Palestine, and he was commissioned as a Lieutenant.

His death on 12 December 2013 was followed by a service at St John's Church in Cleckheaton on 23 December 2013. The family accepted the Branch Chairman's offer to have full Legion honours at the service. Branch members formed a Guard of Honour for the Past Branch President at the entrance to the Church and during the final procession out. The coffin was preceded by the Branch Standard Bearer with an escort. The Branch Chairman delivered the Exhortation and Kohima Epithat, and the Standard Bearer duly lowered the Standard.

This was a fitting tribute to our Past President and displayed the affection the Branch members had for Eric.

The Spenborough Branch has indeed been honoured to have such a man as Mr Eric Martin as their President.