Personal Details
Born: 1 August 1893 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised 20 August 1893 at the Unitarian Church, Whitchurch.
Family: He was the fourth of six surviving children born to Thomas Mann, a labourer, and his wife Mary Ann. He married Amy May Goodwin in 1919 in Colchester, Essex. The couple had three children, Charles Arthur, Wilfred and Henry Thomas John.
Residence: At the time of his baptism in 1893 his family were living at Venables Yard, Whitchurch. By 1901 they had moved to 17 Sherrymill Hill, Whitchurch. An address of 6 Harma Street, Newton Heath, Manchester, Lancashire was given for him in 1914 on his military documents. In 1939 he, his wife and children were living at 23 Sun Street, Prestwich, Manchester, Lancashire.
Employment: In 1914 he was a labourer. His occupation in 1939 was an engine driver in a paper mill.
Died: Not known
Military Details
Regiment: Machine Gun Corps (previously Hussars)
Rank: Private
Service Number: 41980 (previously 12438)
Date of Enlistment: 28 August 1914
Date of Discharge: 13 February 1919
Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation
Other Information: His brother, John William, also served in WW1.
Charles was awarded the Campaign Medals (1915 Star, Victory and British War Medals)
The 1914 Star (also known as 'Pip') was authorised under Special Army Order no. 350 in November 1917 and by an Admiralty Fleet Order in 1918, for award to officers and men of the British and Indian Expeditionary Forces who served in France or Belgium between 5 August and midnight of 22–23 November 1914. The former date is the day after Britain's declaration of war against the Central Powers, and the closing date marks the end of the First Battle of Ypres.
The 1914–15 Star (also known as 'Pip') was instituted in December 1918 and was awarded to officers and men of British and Imperial forces who served against the Central European Powers in any theatre of the Great War between 5 August 1914 and 31 December 1915. The period of eligibility was prior to the introduction of the Military Service Act 1916, which instituted conscription in Britain.
The British War Medal (also known as 'Squeak') was a silver or bronze medal awarded to officers and men of the British and Imperial Forces who either entered a theatre of war or entered service overseas between 5th August 1914 and 11th November 1918 inclusive. This was later extended to services in Russia, Siberia and some other areas in 1919 and 1920. Approximately 6.5 million British War Medals were issued. Approximately 6.4 million of these were the silver versions of this medal. Around 110,000 of a bronze version were issued mainly to Chinese, Maltese and Indian Labour Corps. The front (obv or obverse) of the medal depicts the head of George V. The recipient's service number, rank, name and unit was impressed on the rim.
The Allied Victory Medal (also known as 'Wilfred') was issued by each of the allies. It was decided that each of the allies should each issue their own bronze victory medal with a similar design, similar equivalent wording and identical ribbon. The British medal was designed by W. McMillan. The front depicts a winged classical figure representing victory. Approximately 5.7 million victory medals were issued. Interestingly, eligibility for this medal was more restrictive and not everyone who received the British War Medal ('Squeak') also received the Victory Medal ('Wilfred'). However, in general, all recipients of 'Wilfred' also received 'Squeak' and all recipients of The 1914 Star or The 1914/1915 Star (also known as 'Pip') also received both 'Squeak' and 'Wilfred'. The recipient's service number, rank, name and unit was impressed on the rim.