The AIF Project

John Henry MANN

Regimental number3077
Place of birthLondon, England
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationCarpenter
AddressInglewood, Queensland
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation37
Next of kinFather, William Mann, Wilson Street, West Guildford, Western Australia
Previous military serviceServed for 3 years in A Battalion, Goldfields Infantry Regiment, Kalgoorlie; discharged on account of leaving the district.
Enlistment date6 December 1916
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name42nd Battalion, 7th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/59/3
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A18 Wiltshire on 7 February 1917
Rank from Nominal RollLance Corporal
Unit from Nominal Roll41st Battalion
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Distinguished Conduct Medal


Recommendation date: 8 September 1918

Military Medal


"On 29th September 1918, during operations south of BONY, Corporal Mann was in charge of a Lewis Gun Section. During an enemy counter attack he rushed his gun to a favourable position and mounted it on a parapet. Standing in full view of the enemy, he engaged a number of machine guns, inflicting heavy casualties, and quickly gained superiority of fire, thus allowing our troops in the vicinity to get their heads up and bring fire to bear on the advancing enemy. His courageous action was undoubtedly of great assistance in repelling the enemy, and won the admiration of all ranks.'

FateReturned to Australia 15 November 1919
Medals

Distinguished Conduct Medal

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during operations north of Peronne on 31 August 1918. In spite of heavy machine gun fire, he brought his Lewis gun into action, firing from the hip. Later, when the enemy counter attacked, he was surrounded on three sides, and, dismantling his gun, he fell back, sniping with his rifle, and established another post.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 35
Date: 15 April 1920

Military Medal

'On 29th September, 1918, during operations South of BONY, Corporal MANN was in charge of a Lewis Gun Section. During an enemy Counter attack he rushed his gun to a favourable position and mounted it on the parapet. Standing in full view of the enemy, he engaged a number of machine guns, inflicting heavy casualties, and quickly gained superiority of fire, thus allowing our troops in the vicinity to get their heads up and bring fire to bear on the advancing enemy. His assistance in repelling the enemy, and won the admiration of all ranks.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 115
Date: 10 October 1919

Discharge date9 February 1920
Other details

War service: enlisted 6 December 1916. Embarked from Sydney, 7 February 1917; disembarked Devonport, England, 11 April 1917.Taken on strength, 11th Training Bn, 23 April. Proceeded overseas to France, 13 August 1917; taken on strength, 42nd Bn, 27 August 1917. Admitted sick to hospital, 13 October; rejoined unit, 9 December 1917.

Wounded (mustard gas), 26 May 1918; discharged from field medical unit to unit, wounded, 17 June 1918. Appointed Lance Corporal, 15 July 1918; Temporary Corporal, 24 August 1918 (to replace wounded Corporal). Awarded the Military Medal and Distinguished Conduct Medal. Transferred to 41st Bn, 14 October 1918.

Granted leave leave in England (Non-Military Employment: pay only, no allowances; reason: paint mixing), 26 March-2 October 1919. Embarked from England on board 'Ypiringa', 15 November; disembarked 26 December 1919. Discharged 9 February 1920.

Medals: Military Medal, Distinguished Conduct Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal.

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