Jack Mantle


Jack Foreman Mantle, VC was a sailor in the Royal Navy and a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Early life

Born in Wandsworth, London, on 12 April 1917, Mantle was educated at Taunton's School in Southampton.

Victoria Cross

Mantle 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 Victoria Cross.
On 4 July 1940, during an air raid on Portland, England, Leading Seaman Mantle of, 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. His citation in the London Gazette reads:
This was only the second occasion that the Victoria Cross has been awarded for action in the United Kingdom.

Legacy

The Yeovil Sea Cadet unit carries the name T. S. Mantle V. C. in his honour.
A brass memorial detailing the incident and honouring Mantle can be found in Southampton 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.
Mantle's VC and other medals are on loan to the Royal Naval Museum in Portsmouth.