THE MEMORIAL PLAQUE COMMEMORATING THE DEATH OF MAJOR EDWARD 'MICK' MANNOCK, ROYAL ENGINEERS AND ROYAL FLYING CORPS HAS BEEN SOLD AT AUCTION BY DIX NOONAN WEBB.
18 September 2014


( select to enlarge )
Medal entitlement of Major Edward Mannock,
Royal Engineers & Royal Flying Corps

  • Victoria Cross
  • Distinguished Service Order ( DSO ) & 2 Bars
  • Military Cross ( MC ) & Bar
  • 1914-15 Star
  • British War Medal ( 1914-20 )
  • Victory Medal ( 1914-19 ) + MiD

The Memorial Plaque commemorating the death of Major Edward Mannock VC, DSO, MC, 85 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, and associated photographs, have been sold at the Dix Noonan Webb auction held on the 18th September 2014 in London. The sale hammer price realised £22,000. ( The estimated sale price was between £8,000 and £10,000 ). The identity of the purchaser of the Memorial Plaque has not been revealed.

Edward Mannock's Victoria Cross, Distinguished Service Order and Military Cross are held by the Lord Ashcroft VC Collection. The whereabouts of Edward Mannock's trio of WWI campaign medals is not known.


For the award of the Victoria Cross

[ London Gazette, 18 July 1919 ], Over France, 17 June 1918 - 26 July 1918, Captain ( Acting Major ) Edward Mannock DSO, MC - 85 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps.

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.


Edward Mannock died on the 26th July 1918. Having shot down an Albatross whilst flying with a new member of the squadron, he was hit by a massive volley of ground fire. His aircraft caught fire and crashed behind German lines near Lillers, France. An unidentified airman is buried in the Laventie British Cemetery, France, and it is believed this could be Edward Mannock.


[ London Gazette, 17 September 1917 ], for the award of the Military Cross ( MC ), T / 2nd Lieutenant Edward Mannock - RE & RFC

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. In the course of many combats he has driven off a large number of enemy machines, and has forced down three balloons, showing a very fine offensive spirit and great fearlessness in attacking the enemy at close range and low altitudes under heavy fire from the ground.


[ London Gazette, 18 October 1917 ], awarded a Bar to the Military Cross ( MC ), T / 2nd Lieutenant Edward Mannock MC - RE & RFC

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He has destroyed several hostile machines and driven others down out of control. On one occasion he attached a formation of five enemy machines single-handed and shot one down out of control. On another occasion, while engaged with an enemy machine, he was attacked by two others, one of which he forced to the ground. He has consistently shown great courage and initiative.


[ London Gazette, 16 September 1918 ], awarded the Distinguished Service Order ( DSO ), T / 2nd Lieutenant Edward Mannock MC - RE & RFC

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during recent operations. In seven days, while leading patrols and in general engagements, he destroyed seven enemy machines, bringing his total in all to 30. His leadership, dash and courage were of the highest order.


[ London Gazette, 16 September 1918 ], awarded a Bar to the Distinguished Service Order ( DSO ), T / 2nd Lieutenant ( T / Captain ) Edward Mannock DSO, MC - RE & RFC

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. In company with one other Scout this officer attacked eight enemy aeroplanes, shooting down one in flames. The next day, when leading his Flight, he engaged eight enemy aeroplanes, destroying three himself. The same week he led his patrol against six enemy Albatros two-seater in flames, but later, mmeeting with five Scouts, had great difficulty in getting back, his machine being much shot about, mbut he destroyed one. Two days later, he shot down another two-seater in flames. Eight machines in five days - a fine feat of markmanship and determination to get to close quarters. As a Patrol leader he is unequalled.


[ London Gazette, 3 August 1918 ], awarded a second Bar to the Distinguished Service Order ( DSO ), Lieutenant ( T / Captain ) Edward Mannock DSO, MC - RFC

This officer has now accounted for 48 enemy machines. His success is due to wonderful shooting and a determination to get to close quarters; to attan this he displays most skillful leadership and unfailing courage. These characterstics were markedly shown on a recent occasion when he attacked six hostile Scouts, mthree of which he brought down. Later on the same day he attached a two-seater, which crashed into a tree.

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Iain Stewart, 18 September 2014