Saturday, October 11, 2014
I was deeply saddened to learn of Bill’s sudden passing. I like to think I had a small part in bringing Bill and Margaret together many years ago. I remember looking to recruit a promising young female cadet to join 2415 Gonzaga as a CIC officer when we introduced girls to an all male Cadet Corps. LCol Ally McPhee had seen Margaret instructing at Argonaut and told me to go watch her teach and lead cadets. I did that and was immediately impressed and interested in offering her a position at the Cadet Corps, which she accepted. She came to 2415 Gonzaga and was a huge asset to us. It was there that she met Bill and together they provided exceptional leadership to our Cadet Corps and the youth involved for many amazing years. Bill was an extraordinary musician, able to take a glockenspiel or snare drum and make it sound like magic. He provided amazing leadership to our exercises and expeditions. When it came to field training, I believe Bill was the finest CIC officer I ever worked with. It was his genuine concern and care for cadets in rugged field training activities that truly set him apart from everyone. He lead from the front, demanded high standards and accepted nothing less. A team player, he was always loyal. Bill went on to command and work with cadets for many years and it is these young people and the cadet program that benefitted from his unselfish service right up to his untimely passing. Bill was a hilarious and jovial person who made everyone feel good around him. I last spoke to Bill at Blackdown, when I visited a couple of years ago. We chatted about old times and had a great laugh. We have all lost a great friend and colleague in Bill Martin. Keli Jo and I extend our deepest condolences to the Martin and Dobbin families and in particular Margaret, Daniel and Patrick. “His life was gentle, and the elements So mix’d in him that Nature might stand up And say to the world “This was a man!” - Shakespeare, Julius Caesar Tom McGrath, Lieutenant Colonel
