An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir July / August 2020 www.dfmagazine.ie 28 | Major Edward Mannock VC, DSO and 2 bars, MC and bar E dward's mother, Julia Sullivan, came from Ballincollig, work- ing at the Powder Mill and in domestic service. His father, Edward senior, was the black sheep of an English lower middle class family. They married in 1883 at the church of St Mary and St John, Ballincollig. Edward's early years included time in India, where his hard- drinking father was stationed. There he contracted an amoebic infestation that weakened his left eye but did not permanently blind him. On their return to England, Edward abandoned his family. For young Edward there followed, from the age of 12, a succession of menial jobs, until he achieved modest success as a telephone engineer/linesman. He boarded with the Eyles family in Wellingborough from 1911. Jim Eyles later wrote that Mannock had, "high ideals and with a great love for his fellow mortals. He hated cruelty and poverty….A kinder, more thoughtful man you could never meet." He was a keen cricketer, was involved in the Church Lads Brigade and then the Territorial Army with the RAMC, where he attained the rank of Sergeant. He read widely and was a passionate Social- ist. He was an active member of the Independent Labour Party (ILP). He was proud of his Irish ancestry and was a staunch sup- porter of the movement for Irish Home Rule. To further better himself he took a job in Turkey in 1914, was interned on the outbreak of war and treated very harshly in captivity. Mannock quickly developed a hatred for the Turks and the Germans. He was repatriated in April 1915 but recovered his health. He rejoined the RAMC, rising to Sergeant Major but applied to join the RE and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in April 1916. He transferred to the RFC in August 1916, to be more involved in the fighting. He learned to fly in the autumn of 1916 at Hendon. He was a natural pilot with an excellent feel for his machine. He was posted to 10 Reserve Squadron in February 1917. One of his instruc- tors was the ace, Captain James McCudden. "Mannock," he wrote, "was a typical example of the impetuous young Irishman, and I always thought he was the type to do or die." On 6th April 1917, he was posted to 40 Squadron. He made an awful first impression, failing to appreciate the public school atmo- sphere. A fellow officer recalled, "Mannock seemed too cocky. New men usually took their time and listened to the more experienced hands. He offered ideas about everything: how the war was going, how it should be fought, the role of scout pilots." He also spent hours at target practice but appeared hesitant when confronting enemy aircraft over the lines. His detractors could only be silenced by deeds. They got a taste of Mannock's mettle on 19th April when, while practice diving at a ground target, the lower right wing of his Nieuport snapped off and the plane plunged down- ward. He managed to land the crippled craft safely. On 7th May he destroyed an observation balloon for his first vic- tory. He wrote in his diary: "My fuselage had bullet holes in it, one very near my head, and the wings were more or less riddled. I don't want to go through such an experience again." He became more aggressive in the air and was now accepted in the Squadron. It helped that he was an excellent shot. It was here that he generally became known as Mick. It was remarked upon that he spoke with an 'Irish, English, Indian lilt.' His score mounted up, though his sensitive nature is revealed in his diary, a "little black-and-tan terrier, dead in the observer's seat. I felt exactly like a murderer." He told a comrade, "Of course, I've been frightened, I've now conquered this and, having conquered myself, I will now conquer the Hun. Air fighting is a science. I have been studying it and have not been unduly worried at not getting Huns at the expense of being reckless." On seeing a fellow pilot shot down in flames he said, "That's the way they're going to get me in the end." He had started to carry his service revolver with him on flights: "to finish myself as soon as I see the first sign of flames." He was awarded the MC and made leader of 'A' Flight. In October the Squadron received the new SE5a fighter. By the end of 1917, he had 15 confirmed victories and had re- ceived a Bar to his MC. He was becoming an excellent flight leader, fighting with tactics rather than sheer audacity. He looked after the men who flew with him, helping them to develop as combat pilots. In January 1918 he was posted back to England for a rest. He returned to France with 74 Squadron in April 1918. In the next three months, he increased his victories to 33, not counting those Edward Mannock BY GUY WARNER

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