Commodore Geoffrey Thrippleton Marr was born in Pontefratt, Yorkshire.
At the age of fourteen he joined H.M.S. Conway as a cadet. After two
years he worked for an English subsidiary of the United Fruit Company
where he passed all courses and obtained his Masters' Certificate. Then in
1936 Commodore Marr joined Cunard as a Junior Third Officer aboard the
Andonia.
In 1946 he recieved the Distinguished Service Cross for his remarkable
performance during World War 2 which includes service at Dunkirk and the
sinking of the Bismark by H.M.S. King George V.
During the post-war period Commodore Marr commanded the Cunard Queens
accross the Atlantic and on cruises. Upon being made Commodore of the Fleet,
he took his final command - R.M.S. Queen Elizabeth.
He was also requisitioned to take the vessel to Hong Kong where she was to be converted to a floating university.
When R.M.S. Queen Elizabeth was finally converted into the "Seawise University" she broke out in fire. Her destruction was horrific and total. Commodore Marr commented "If there is a Valhalla for ships, surely Queen Elizabeth is there"
Commodore Marr spent his retirement at his thatched cottage in the New Forest with his wife at his side.
