Conwyn Mansel-Jones


Colonel Conwyn Mansel-Jones was an English British Army officer. He was a 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.

Early career

Educated at Haileybury and the Royal Military College Sandhurst, Mansel-Jones was commissioned a second lieutenant in The West Yorkshire Regiment on 8 October 1890. He was promoted to lieutenant on 1 July 1892, served with his regiment in the Fourth Anglo-Ashanti War of 1895-96 and in British Central Africa in 1898, where he was promoted to captain supernumerary to his regiment on 20 March 1899. He was recalled to his regiment at the outset of the Second Boer War in late 1899, and sent to South Africa.

Victoria Cross

Mansel-Jones took part in the Ladysmith relief force, and was confirmed as a captain in his regiment in February 1900. He was wounded on 27 February 1900, during the battle of the Tugela Heights, two days before the actual relief of Ladysmith.
Mansel-Jones was 28 years old, and a captain in The West Yorkshire Regiment serving in during the Second Boer War when the following deed took place in Natal for which he was awarded the VC:

Later career

He remained in the army in recruiting until he retired due to his wounds in 1910. He was called to the bar at Lincoln's Inn but returned to the colours in 1914. He served throughout the European War and was six times mentioned in Despatches.