MANN, Alec
| Service Number: | 397 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 19 July 1915, An original member of B Company 31st Battalion |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 8th Light Trench Mortar Battery |
| Born: | Mitcham, South Australia, Australia, 9 September 1892 |
| Home Town: | Townsville, Townsville, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Barber |
| Died: | Killed in action, France, 12 October 1916, aged 24 years |
| Cemetery: |
Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery, Armentieres Plot III, Row A, Grave No. 37. |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Home Hill Roll of Honour |
World War 1 Service
| 19 Jul 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 397, 31st Infantry Battalion, An original member of B Company 31st Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 9 Nov 1915: | Involvement Private, 397, 31st Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '16' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Wandilla embarkation_ship_number: A62 public_note: '' | |
| 9 Nov 1915: | Embarked Private, 397, 31st Infantry Battalion, HMAT Wandilla, Melbourne | |
| 25 Jul 1916: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 8th Light Trench Mortar Battery |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Brooks
Alec Mann was born in Adelaide, South Australia in 1892, the son of William and Fanny Mann. Alec was one of three brothers who enlisted in the AIF, his younger brother William Mann of the 49th Battalion was also killed in action earlier in 1916, at Mouquet Farm, aged 22.
When Alec was about seven years of age, in 1899, his father moved from Adelaide to far north Queensland for mining work. A year later, their mother travelled with her six youngest children, by sea, taking a long voyage from Adelaide to Cairns to reunite the family. From Cairns, Fanny and her children had to make a 220-kilometre overland journey west of Cairns to Mungana, an inland mining town.
Alec opened a barber shop near the mining town where he was raised and he enlisted during July 1915. Two months later he was married to Lillian Rahill in Townsville, before he left for overseas.
Alec served with the 31st Battalion AIF during the Battle of Fromelles and not long after he transferred to the 8th Light Trench Mortar Battery. Alec was killed in action by shell fire near Houplines in France in October 1916, only 4 weeks after his younger brother was reported missing at Mouquet Farm.
Another younger brother, 2209 Private Gilbert Mann 48th Battalion AIF also served and returned to Australia during 1919.
Alec’s new wife, Lillian posted the following death notice in the Townsville Daily Bulletin,
MANN.—In affectionate Memory of my dear Husband, Gunner Alec. Mann, who was killed in action in France on October 12, 1916.
Oh, what a moral lesson our gallant hero taught.
He knew the solemn danger, and still for honor fought,
While at his post of duty, what more could he do;
than die for King and country. A soldier brave and true.
(Inserted by his loving wife, Lillian Mann.)
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