Martin Clemens was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, and educated at Bedford School and Christ’s College, Cambridge. In 1938 he went to the Solomon Islands in the Colonial Administrative Service, and after learning his trade on Malaita became District Officer, San Christoval. In 1942 he went to Guadalcanal, where he soon took over the district and coast watching. When the U.S. Marines arrived Clemens was ordered to join them as British Liaison Officer, and he integrated his force of Solomon Islanders with the Marine units as intelligence gatherers, scouts, guides, and carriers.

After the war Clemens was posted to Palestine, then to Cyprus. In 1960 he retired to Melbourne with his Australian wife and their four children. He helps run the family’s sheep and cattle properties in Queensland and is active in philanthropic and civic organizations.