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For Valour: Captain Edward Corringham (‘Mick’) Mannock VC

25 July 2024 By Norman Brice: Volunteer in Aviation Historian

A black and white photograph of a man in a heavy leather coat and fur-lined hat standing beside a structure marked "104." The man has a serious expression, typical of early 20th-century aviators.

Location: June-July 1918, over France

Who: Captain (Acting Major) Edward Corringham (‘Mick’) Mannock VC DSO** MC* Royal Air Force 24 May 1897 – 26 July 1918

After 3 years of static trench warfare, on 21 March 1918 the Great War became mobile again. With the collapse of Russian forces in the east, the German Army was able to move vast numbers of troops to the Western Front, culminating in an attack on a broad stretch of Allied trenches. Where, until now, advances by each side could be measured in yards, the Germans penetrated deeply, before being halted not least by outrunning their supply lines. In turn, the Allies – now bolstered by newly-arrived American forces – launched a major counter-attack on 8 August, known as the 100 Days Offensive, which culminated in the Armistice on 11 November 1918. This Allied offensive involved major air battles.

detailed sketch depicting a World War I aerial dogfight. The image shows a biplane with a mounted machine gun engaged in combat with another plane that appears to be going down in flames. The caption at the bottom reads "The end of Major E. Mannock, V.C., over the German lines, July 26, 1918."

Major Edward ‘Mick’ Mannock was awarded more medals for courage than any other WW1 British fighter pilot.

The VC medal

 

THE LONDON GAZETTE, 18 July 1919

‘His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Victoria Cross to the late Captain (acting Major) Edward Mannock, D.S.O., M.C., 85th Squadron Royal Air Force, in recognition of bravery of the first order in Aerial Combat: — On the 17th June, 1918, he attacked a Halberstadt machine near Armentieres and destroyed it from a height of 8,000 feet. On the 7th July, 1918, near Doulieu, he attacked and destroyed one Fokker (red-bodied) machine, which went vertically into the ground from a height of 1,500 feet. Shortly afterwards he ascended 1,000 feet and attacked another Fokker biplane, firing 60 rounds into it, which produced an immediate spin, resulting, it is believed, in a crash. On the 14th July, 1918, near Merville, he attacked and crashed a Fokker from 7,000 feet, and brought a two-seater down damaged. On the 19th July, 1918, near Merville, he fired 80 rounds into an Albatross two-seater, which went to the ground in flames.

On the 20th July, 1918, East of La Bassee, he attacked and crashed an enemy two-seater from a height of 10,000 feet. About an hour afterwards he attacked at 8,000 feet a Fokker biplane near Steenwercke and drove it down out of control, emitting smoke. On the 22nd July, 1918, near Armentieres, he destroyed an enemy triplane from a height of 10,000 feet. Major Mannock was awarded the undermentioned distinctions for his previous combats in the air in France and Flanders: — Military Cross. Gazetted 17th September, 1917. Bar to Military Cross. Gazetted 18th October, 1917. Distinguished Service Order. Gazetted 16th September, 1918. Bar to Distinguished Service Order (1st). Gazetted 16th September, 1918.

Bar to Distinguished Service Order (2nd). Gazetted 3rd August, 1918. This highly distinguished officer, during the whole of his career in the Royal Air Force, was an outstanding example of fearless courage, remarkable skill, devotion to duty and self-sacrifice, which has never been surpassed. The total number of machines definitely accounted for by Major Mannock up to the date of his death in France (26th July, 1918) is fifty — the total specified in the Gazette of 3rd August, 1918, was incorrectly given as 48, instead of 41.’

A vintage biplane flying through the sky with a pilot visible in the open cockpit. The aircraft features roundel markings on the fuselage and wings, indicating it is a British SE5A fighter plane from World War I.

Royal Aircraft Factory SE5a

Major Mannock was shot down by ground fire over the trenches and his body was not recovered. He is remembered on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s Arras Flying Memorial.

"Historical casualty card for William Charles, who served in the 56th Squadron. The card details his accident on 22/07/1917, which resulted in his death due to battle-related injuries. It notes that he was a passenger at the time of the accident, with remarks mentioning the authority's statement and confirmation of his demise.

You can view the casualty card relating to Mannock’s crash in the Museum’s Story Vault.

A wide-angle view of the Arras Flying Services Memorial, featuring a central obelisk flanked by elegant colonnades. The sky is clear and blue, highlighting the white stone of the structure dedicated to fallen World War I aviators.

A close-up shot of a memorial wall inscribed with names. The section in focus lists "MAJOR V.C. Mannock E." among other names, commemorating those who served and sacrificed during World War I. ​

 

His Victoria Cross is held in Lord Ashcroft’s Collection, IWM [formerly Imperial War Museum], Lambeth, London.

Credits:

Citation: The London Gazette 18 July 1919

Additional biographical details: For Valour: The Air VCs Chaz Bowyer, Grub Street Publishing.

Photos

Major Mannock: RAF Museum

SE 5 A: RAF Museum

Sketch: RAF Museum

Memorial: Commonwealth War Graves Commission (www.cwgc.org)

Name Panel: The War Graves Photographic Project (www.twgpp.org)

 

About the Author

Norman Brice: Volunteer

Volunteer Norman Brice

It all started very many years ago when, lying in my pram, I was awoken by what I later knew as Spitfires on their finals to RAF Biggin Hill, just a handful of miles away. As a schoolboy I was captivated by the annual September Battle of Britain Days at Biggin Hill with a vast range of visiting aircraft, including all three V-Bombers in gleaming anti-flash white.

Fast forward very many years past retirement I joined the RAF Museum London as a volunteer as a Vulcan and Cold War tour guide.