Martin Holt

The son of Sir Vesey Holt, Martin Holt was educated at Eton and then Trinity College, Cambridge. An accomplished fencer, and one of Britain’s most colourful épéeists, he made his international début in Paris in 1906, less than two years after taking up the sport. He went on to appear at five Olympic Games from 1908-28 and won a team épée silver medal in both 1908 and 1912. Holt was the British épée champion in 1920 and 1923, and represented Great Britain in the Thompson Trophy contest against the United States in 1923 and 1930, both held in London.

Holt was the managing director of bankers Glyn, Mills and Co., who later became part of the Royal Bank of Scotland group. In 1924 he was granted the Freedom of the City of London.