Edward Corringham Mannock VC

Name: Edward Corringham Mannock

Conflict: First World War

Gazetted: July 18, 1919

Service: Royal Air Force

portrait_mannock_edward corringham
Edward Corringham Mannock VC

Medal group

Place/date of birth:  Brighton, Sussex/May 24, 1887

Rank when awarded VC (and later highest rank): Major

Date of bravery: June 17 – July 22, 1918

London Gazette citation:

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.

Click here to see full Gazette entry.

Other decorations: DSO & 2 Bars, MC & Bar

Place/date of death: Near Lillers, France/July 26, 1918

Grave/memorials: Faubourg-d’Amiens Cemetery, Arras, France; Canterbury War Memorial, Kent; Canterbury Cathedral, Kent; Mannock House, Canterbury, Kent; Christchurch Gate, Canterbury, Kent; St Clement Danes Church, London; RAF Museum, London

Origin of VC to the Lord Ashcroft collection: Purchased at auction, Sotheby’s, Billinghurst, West Sussex, 1992

Current location of VC: Displayed on rotation at The Lord Ashcroft Gallery: Extraordinary Heroes exhibition, Imperial War Museum