Manley Angell James
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Brigadier Manley Angell James VC, DSO, MBE, MC (12 July 1896 -23 September 1975) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
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[edit] Early Years
He was born on the 12th of July, 1896 at Odiham, Hampshire.
[edit] World War I
As a 21 years old Temporary Captain in the 8th (S) Bn., The Gloucestershire Regiment, British Army during the First World War he was awarded the Victoria Cross for the following action.
On 21 March 1918 near Velu Wood, France, Captain James led his company forward, capturing 27 prisoners and two machine-guns. Although wounded, he refused to leave his company and repulsed three enemy assaults next day. Two days later the enemy having broken through, he made a determined stand, inflicting heavy losses and gaining valuable time for the withdrawal of the guns. After holding out to the last to enable the brigade to be extricated, he led his company forward in a local counter-attack, being again wounded. He was last seen working a machine-gun single-handed, was wounded a third time and eventually taken prisoner.
[edit] World War II
Early in World War II he was promoted to Brigadier. In 1940 he served as General Staff Officer 1 for the 54th Division. In late 1940 and into 1941 he was a Brigader on the staff of the VIII Corps. Later in 1941 he was assigned as Commanding Officer of the 128th Brigade in North Africa. He would command the 128th Brigade until 1943. In 1944 he was assigned to the General Staff for Training Home Forces. Finally, in 1945 he became the Commanding Officer for the 140th Brigade. During World War II he received the following awards: Africa Star and clasp "8th Army", Italy Star, Defence Medal, War Medal.
[edit] After World War II
From 1948 until 1951 he was the Director of Ground Defence for the Air Ministry. In 1951 he retired from the military with the rank of Brigadier.
[edit] The medal
The location of the medal is the Lord Ashcroft VC collection.
[edit] References
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
- VCs of the First World War - Spring Offensive 1918 (Gerald Gliddon, 1997)
