Louis Martelle has passed away at the age of 81. He had been a member of The British Ring since 1949 and throughout that time had been a supporter of and worker for the Ring. He started in magic at the age of eleven when he saw magicians at the local vaudeville theatre and managed to borrow Hoffman's Modern Magic from the local library. He performed for the local churches and private parties until he was fourteen, when he left school and joined Murray, the famous Escapologist, as an assistant. (Read More)

He learned the basics of his trade in the six months he spent with Murray, and then branched out on his own as a single act, working at Theatres and Galas. Then came the war and he was unlucky in so far as, instead of placing him in the forces, he was made what was known as "A Bevan Boy."

This meant he was conscripted as being too young to be in the front line and was employed in a coal mine. During this period he still managed to perform his magic for troop concerts and other functions. At the end of the war, he saw the coming demise of the Music Hall and decided to leave the stage and work in industry. He resumed his studies, obtained his B.A. degree in Psychology and Social Sciences and in that capacity became a lecturer for employers' organizations.

After this, he turned to university life where he continued as a lecturer in Management Courses. His magical career continued all during this time and in 1950 he won the British Ring Shield in the early days of this competition. He has always given freely of his knowledge and services for any British Ring functions. His motto was that "You only get out of life what you put in," and he has certainly lived up to that principle. The British Ring can be proud to have honored a man who has devoted a major part of his life to the I.B.M. and The British Ring 25.

[Adapted from the Jeffrey Atkins' article in The Linking Ring • January 2000]

The funeral will be at the Hutcliffe Wood Crematorium on Thursday, July 17, 2008, at 12.00 midday. If any of you would like to send a card to Joan, I am sure that she would love to hear from you. The address is 'Magic View', 10 Arnold Avenue, Gleadless, Sheffield, S12 3JB.