Ben Hay Martindale C.B. (1 October 1824 – 26 May 1904) was a British public servant who acted in several managerial positions in the young colony of

New South Wales ) , nickname = , image_map = New South Wales in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of New South Wales in AustraliaCoordinates: , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , es ...

, where he was known as "Captain Martindale".

History

Martindale was born in London, son of Benjamin Martindale, of Martindale, Westmorland. He was educated at

Rugby School Rugby School is a public school (English independent boarding school for pupils aged 13–18) in Rugby, Warwickshire, England. Founded in 1567 as a free grammar school for local boys, it is one of the oldest independent schools in Britain. ...

and the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, then in 1843 received a commission as second lieutenant with the Royal Engineers at

Chatham Dockyard Chatham Dockyard was a Royal Navy Dockyard located on the River Medway in Kent. Established in Chatham in the mid-16th century, the dockyard subsequently expanded into neighbouring Gillingham (at its most extensive, in the early 20th century ...

, later at Woolwich. Other postings followed, culminating in 1856 with his appointment as captain under the Inspector-general of Fortifications, London. Appointed by Governor Denison, on 22 July 1857 he replaced Captain Mann as Chief Commissioner of Railways for New South Wales, there being three Commissioners forming the board of control, then after a change in the Government Railways Act he was, on 28 December 1858, appointed sole Commissioner for Railways at the head of an Executive Council. He was also made Commissioner for Roads, Superintendent of Electric Telegraphs and, briefly, Commissioner for Internal Communications. One of his first observations was the inconvenient location of the terminal station, and in his first report, dated 22 October 1857, he recommended extending the railway into the city or, at least, construction of a tramway to

Circular Quay Circular Quay is a harbour, former working port and now international passenger shipping port, public piazza and tourism precinct, heritage area, and transport node located in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia on the northern edge of the Syd ...

. He also recommended extending the line into Hyde Park from Redfern, and make that the terminal station. In January 1861 Martindale resigned and returned to England, and resumed a busy public life. In 1873 he was appointed general manager of the

London Dock Company London Docklands is the riverfront and former docks in London. It is located in inner east and southeast London, in the boroughs of Southwark, Tower Hamlets, Lewisham, Newham, and Greenwich. The docks were formerly part of the Port of Lo ...

, controlling

London Docks London Docklands is the riverfront and former docks in London. It is located in inner east and southeast London, in the boroughs of Southwark, Tower Hamlets, Lewisham, Newham, and Greenwich. The docks were formerly part of the Port ...

and

St Katharine Docks St Katharine Docks is a former dock and now a mixed-used district in Central London, in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets and within the East End. It lies on the north bank of the River Thames, immediately downstream of the Tower of London an ...

, and was later made a director. He was also a director of the City of London Electric Lighting Company. He was made a C.B. in 1871. He died at his residence, "Weston Lodge",

Albury Albury () is a major regional city in New South Wales, Australia. It is located on the Hume Highway and the northern side of the Murray River. Albury is the seat of local government for the council area which also bears the city's name – the ...

, Surrey, England. His successors as Commissioner for Railways were John Rae 1861–1878 and Charles Goodchap 1878–1888.

Personal

Martindale married Mary Elizabeth Knocker (died 1902); they had at least two sons.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Martindale, Ben 1824 births 1904 deaths People educated at Rugby School Graduates of the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich Royal Engineers officers 19th-century Australian public servants Railway commissioners of New South Wales