Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

The details provided are taken from the book "Just Soldiers" written by WO1 Darryl Kelly, published 2004, refer to chapter 24, pages 155 to 164. Born in the UK. He travelled the world - and had been in Australia for some time which included 3 years at Kalgoorlie. He had moved to Queensland and was working as a carpenter. Enlisted Dec 1916, and he boarded a troopship Feb 1917 heading for the UK and the Western Front. Attended the 11th Training Battalion on the Salisbury Plain to train for the trenches. He joined the ranks of the 42nd Infantry Battalion and soon into the trenches with all of its activity. They were serving at Broodseinde as part of the Ypres campaign, John became ill and was evacuated to a hospital 13th Oct 1917 and he was treated for 2 months. He was in the trenches at Christmas 1917. The Unit was in a number of other actions, and 24th May 1918 saw them at Villers Bretonneux he suffered the effect of a gas attack. It put him out of action for 3 weeks, and the effects lasted for the rest of his life. He was promoted to Lance Corporal on 15th July, and to Temporary Corporal 24th Aug. End of August 1918 saw the Unit at Mont St Quentin. During the battle Mann was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for conspicious gallantry and devotion to duty. 26th Sept in another large battle, Mann was awarded a Military Medal for bravery in the field. After the last battle of the 42nd it was very low in numbers, so it was disbanded and it became B Company of the 41st Infantry Battalion. War ended 11th November, the troops were kept busy and part of it was leave in the UK. The Unit boarded the troopship for the journey home 15th Nov 1919, and they arrived in Aust on Boxing day. He returned to civilian life. He never married. He continued to feel the effects of the gas which had caused damage to his throat. He died November 1957 and was laid to rest in WA's Karrakatta cemetary.

His memory is upheld, the Rockhampton based 42nd Capricorn Battalion, Royal Queensland Regiment enjoys a soldiers mess in the name of this honourable soldier May he Rest in Peace Lest We Forget