Every once in a while, if you are fortunate, you will come across a person who has indeed led a truly remarkable life. One such person was Dr Joan Martin and her story has been beautifully captured in this book. Joan died in January 2018 at the age of 102 years. She was a woman who could light up a room with her presence and yet humbly found pleasure in helping those less fortunate than herself. Her life's work has been to help others and she became a member of the British Empire (MBE) in recognition of her services to others.

 

Joan was a junior doctor during WWII and was on duty the night of 3 March 1943 when the Bethnal Green tube disaster occurred when 173 men, women and children were crushed to death on the sole stairway leading down to the partially completed station which had been turned into a temporary shelter for those seeking refuge during the war. She acted with courage and dignity far beyond her youth that night and is remembered by the charity's committee members as well as the few survivors with reverence and pride.

 

Joan's compassion led her to go on to work with diabled children and their families and she founded and ran a swimming club for disabled children. Her life was rich in compassion and varied in experience and this thoroughly readable book brings to life a woman who met life face on.

 

Joan Martin was also a great Girl Guider. As Guide Training Adviser for England she introduced more commando-type activities enjoyed by the Boy Scouts and Rangers, such as making and using rope-ladders and rope bridges.

 

The author, Joy Puritz, was a close friend of Dr Martin’s in her last years

 

 

​​​​​​

£5.99 including pp  THIS IS A LIMITED TIME SPECIAL OFFER - THE USUAL PRICE IS £7.99

​

ENQUIRIES TO: hampton.joyce14@yahoo.com

​

​