Vincent William James MANSELL

MANSELL, Vincent William James

Service Number: 407719
Enlisted: 4 January 1941
Last Rank: Flying Officer
Last Unit: No. 149 Squadron (RAF)
Born: North Adelaide, South Australia, 6 November 1916
Home Town: Prospect, Prospect, South Australia
Schooling: Wakefield Street School, Rostrevor College, Adelaide University, South Australia
Occupation: School Teacher Murray Bridge High School, South Australia
Died: Flying Battle, Germany, 9 June 1942, aged 25 years
Cemetery: Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany
19 B 9,
Memorials: Adelaide WW2 Wall of Remembrance, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, International Bomber Command Centre Memorial, Rostrevor College WW2 Memorial Plaques
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World War 2 Service

4 Jan 1941: Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer, 407719, No. 149 Squadron (RAF)
4 Jan 1941: Enlisted Adelaide
4 Jan 1941: Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer, 407719
Date unknown: Involvement

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Biography contributed by Faithe Jones

Son of William Henry and Mary Jane Mansell, of Prospect, South Australia.

"THY WILL BE DONE" R.I.P.'

O.B.C. LAD WHO HOPES TO BE
COME A DOCTOR.
Brilliant Intermediate Pass.
Vincent William Mansell, fifteen year-old student of Christian Brothers' College, Wakefield Street, gained credits in six subjects in the recent Intermediate examination—the only  student in the State to do so. His credits were for English, French, Latin, History, Mathematics I. and II.
He secured Passes in Arithmetic and Physics as well. Vincent's achievement was not made without considerable effort on his part. " I had to work hard for this," he said. " I got up at six o'clock winter and summer right through the year, and studied for an hour and a quarter each morning; in addition to the usual amount of work at night." French, English, and Latin are the subjects which appeal to Vincent most. He hopes to become a doctor He has not neglected sport. He plays cricket for the second eleven, and football for the  second eighteen at Christian Brother's College. He was the winner of the Q.C. Bursary in 1928. He has been a student at the College for four years, and is the only son of Mr. and  Mrs. W. H. Mansell, of Albert Street, Prospect.  (Feb 1932)

Pilot Officer Vincent Mansell, who is now presumed to have lost his life over enemy territory during a bombing raid on June 9 last, was well known in Catholic circles in this State. He received his early education at Wakefield Street and Rostrevor Colleges, where he had a successful school career, winning two Government bursaries; he came top of the State in his Intermediate year. On leaving school he spent one year at the South Australian Treasury before leaving to join the Education Department. At the Teachers' College and the  University his studies were out standing, and he graduated B.A. in 1939. He took a keen interest in the corporate life of the Teachers' College, being prominent in sport, debating  and dramatic work, as well as taking a principal part in each of the Gilbert and Sullivan operas produced during, his term. At the time of his enlistment he was studying for Honors English, and was on the staff of the Murray Bridge High School. Pilot Officer Mansell did his training for the Air Force in Western Australia and in Canada, where he gained his commission. He arrived in England early in October, and after further training there and in Scotland, was subsequently posted to an R.A.F. bomber squadron. Aged 25 years, P.O.  Mansell was the only child of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Mansell, of Prospect.

 

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