Jack Foreman Mantle VC (12 April 1917 - 4 July 1940) 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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He was 23 years old, and an Acting Leading Seaman in the Royal Navy during the Second World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 4 July 1940 during an air raid on Portland, England, Leading Seaman Mantle of HMS Foylebank, who was manning the starboard 20mm pom-pom gun, had his left leg shattered by the blast from a bomb early in the action. Although wounded again many times, he remained at his gun, training and firing by hand when Foylebank's electric power failed, until he collapsed and died.
This was only the second occasion that the Victoria Cross has been awarded for action in the United Kingdom.
The Yeovil Sea Cadet unit carries the name T. S. Mantle V. C. in his honour.
Jack was an 'Old Tauntonian' - a former schoolboy of Southampton's Richard Taunton boys School, founded in 1760 at the bequest of Alderman Richard Taunton (1684–1752), Wine Merchant, Privateer and former Mayor of Southampton.
A brass memorial detailing the incident and honouring Jack Foreman Mantle V.C. can be found in Southampton City Maritime Museum. It is placed to the left of the main entrance doors.
This memorial was originally situated in 'Jack's Corner' at the City's Central Sports Centre - the name remains as a children's play area.
The medal
The VC, and other medals awarded to Mantle, is on loan to the Royal Navy Museum in Portsmouth.
References
- British VCs of World War 2 (John Laffin, 1997)
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
External links
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