NameLincoln Martinson
BornWaihi, 1905
RankChief Petty Officer
In 1939 during the Battle of the River Plate, he was in the ship HMS Achilles when it battled with the German ship Graf Spee. Many of the other crew in HMS Achilles were also New Zealanders, so Lincoln Martinson convinced the Captain to fly the national flag. His leg was badly injured during the battle.
Lincoln Martinson came home to New Zealand because of his injuries. Even though he could not serve in ships anymore, he stayed in the Navy. He became a trainer, teaching signalling to new recruits.
This medal was awarded to ratings in the Navy for bravery.
This campaign star was awarded to people who served in the Second World War. In order to get this star, someone in the Navy had to serve in the Atlantic for six months. The green, blue and white on the ribbon are colours of the ocean.
This medal was awarded to any person in the British Commonwealth who served in the armed forces during the Second World War. The ribbon has red, blue and white stripes, which are the colour of the British flag, the Union Jack.
This medal was awarded to any person who served in the New Zealand armed forces during the Second World War. The obverse of the medal has a fern leaf design.
Signal Flags
A page from the Seaman’s Pocket-Book 1943 shows communication flags used by the Navy. Some flags represent letters of the alphabet, some flags represent numbers. These are different from the flags used by the Navy today. National Museum of the Royal New Zealand Navy. BAP 0021_001, BAP 0021_004.
Arriving Home
Welcome Home
Parade
Travel Pass
The sailors from HMS Achilles were given special travel tickets, so they could ride the ferries, buses and trams for free. National Museum of the Royal New Zealand Navy. EBB 0026 ii, EBB 0026 iii.
