Manley Angell James

Manley Angell James
Born	12 July 1896 Odiham, Hampshire
Died	23 September 1975 (aged 79) Westbury on Trym, Bristol
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	British Army
Rank	Brigadier
Unit	Gloucestershire Regiment Royal Sussex Regiment
Commands held	128th Brigade 140th Brigade Director of Ground Defence, Air Ministry
Battles/wars	World War I World War II
Awards	Victoria Cross Distinguished Service Order Order of the British Empire Military Cross

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.

As a 21-year-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 his bravery during the Spring Offensive.

Early years

He was born on the 12 July 1896 in Odiham, Hampshire. He was educated at Bristol Grammar School.

World War I

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 the 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 in the process. He was last seen working a machine-gun single-handed, was wounded a third time and eventually taken prisoner.

After World War I he played for Clifton Rugby Football Club.

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 Brigadier 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.

After World War II

Between 1948 and 1951 he was the Director of Ground Defence for the Air Ministry. In 1951 he retired from the military at the rank of Brigadier.

The Medal

His VC is on display in the Lord Ashcroft Gallery at the Imperial War Museum, London.

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)

External links

• Unit Histories
• Clifton RFC
• Location of grave and VC medal (Avon)
• Manley Angell James on Find-A-Grave

Persondata
Name	James, Manley Angell
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	12 July 1896
Place of birth	Odiham, Hampshire
Date of death	23 September 1975
Place of death	Westbury on Trym, Bristol