Uploaded July 2017 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
When I began going to Covent Garden as a kid for ballet and opera, a regular feature of the visit was Sgt. Victor Martin, always immaculately turned out in maroon frock coat, black top hat and gloves. On state occasions, Sgt. Martin wore a livery of breeches and sash, with his medallion from La Scala, Milan and his war decorations.
Sgt. Martin had been a regimental sergeant in the Grenadier Guards before, in 1949, taking up the position of Head Linkman or Chief Commissionaire at Covent Garden. The title ‘Linkman’ dates from the C18 when the doorman was the link between horse-drawn carriages and the theatre, guiding illustrious patrons through the muddy street into the opera house.
Sgt. Martin always was friendly, especially to children, but strict, such as under no circumstances allowing patrons to their seats once the performance.
He died aged sixty-one on the 10th Sept 1981.
In this tiny bit of film footage, Sgt. Martin is seen putting the ‘House Full’ sign out for one of Maria Callas’s 1964 performances of ‘Tosca’.
When I began going to Covent Garden as a kid for ballet and opera, a regular feature of the visit was Sgt. Victor Martin, always immaculately turned out in maroon frock coat, black top hat and gloves. On state occasions, Sgt. Martin wore a livery of breeches and sash, with his medallion from La Scala, Milan and his war decorations.
Sgt. Martin had been a regimental sergeant in the Grenadier Guards before, in 1949, taking up the position of Head Linkman or Chief Commissionaire at Covent Garden. The title ‘Linkman’ dates from the C18 when the doorman was the link between horse-drawn carriages and the theatre, guiding illustrious patrons through the muddy street into the opera house.
Sgt. Martin always was friendly, especially to children, but strict, such as under no circumstances allowing patrons to their seats once the performance.
He died aged sixty-one on the 10th Sept 1981.
In this tiny bit of film footage, Sgt. Martin is seen putting the ‘House Full’ sign out for one of Maria Callas’s 1964 performances of ‘Tosca’.
