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Auction: 20001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - conducted behind closed doors
Lot: 645A

'George was the salt of the earth. He served our Corps well and will be fondly remembered by all with whom he came in contact; even the many he chased around the gym and coerced into forming concert parties.'

Extract from Mann's obituary in Globe & Laurel, March/April 2000.

An important B.E.M. group awarded to Captain G. E. Mann, Royal Marines, late Royal Marine Light Infantry, a much-loved Corps character who served with distinction as Administrative Officer of 41 Commando - the renowned 'Chosin Few' - during the Korean War

Commissioned from the ranks, Mann was decorated for his outstanding P.T. instruction at the Royal Marines P.T. School, Deal; at his retirement in 1958, he was the last of the old 'Red Marines' still on active service

British Empire Medal, 2nd type, Military Division (A/S. M. George E. Mann, R.M. PO. 21738); 1939-45 Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Korea 1950-53 (Cd. Sgt. Major. G. E. Mann R.M.); U.N. Korea 1950-54, unnamed as issued; Naval L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st type (PO. 21738 G. E. Mann. Sgt. R.M.), mounted court-style as worn, with the recipient's United States Presidential Unit citation (Marine Corps), good very fine (7)

B.E.M. London Gazette 28 December 1945.

George Ernest Mann was born at Gosport on 15 September 1908, the son of a music hall performer who served during the Great War as a Sergeant in the Royal Marine Light Infantry. Young George understudied his father, always seizing any opportunity to break into song. On 27 October 1922, when he was 14, Mann was taken to Forton Barracks in Gosport, the home of the R.M.L.I. ('the Red Marines'), and handed over as a Boy Bugler. Considered too young to march, he rode around in the ration truck, sitting on a sack of onions. Just months later, Treasury pressure forced the R.M.L.I. to disband and merge with the Royal Marines. Later transferring to general duties, Mann was awarded the King's Badge in his recruit squad. He served as P.T. Instructor aboard H.M.S. Curacoa and H.M.S. Hood during the early part of the Second World War, directing Hood's PT classes from the top of her X Turret. Narrowly missing Hood's fateful confrontation with the Bismarck, he was appointed PT Instructor to the Royal Naval College, Greenwich in early 1941. In 1945 he was awarded the B.E.M. for his work at the Royal Marines P.T. School, Deal, of which he became Sergeant Major in 1947. Globe & Laurel gives a real insight into his character:

'The story is told of a boxing match George organised against a team of Kentish miners at Folkestone. During a heavyweight bout a corner post broke loose. George jumped in the ring and entertained the audience while it was being repaired. When it was fixed the announcement that they were going on with the boxing was greeted with boos and the demand for more jokes.'

Mann then transferred to R.M.T.C. Ghain Tuffieha, Malta as Fleet Commissioned Sergeant Major. In 1950, he was appointed Administrative Officer of 41 Independent Commando, led by Lieutenant-Colonel D. B. Drysdale. Though comprised of 300 British Royal Marines ('half a commando'), this specialist unit was to be under U.S. Naval operational command, receiving American supplies, arms and equipment. Mann used all his resource, initiative and charm to ensure the unit was properly supplied throughout the Korean War. After training at Cape McGill, Japan, 41 Commando went operational on 12-13 September when it assisted in the Inchon landings, offering beach reconnaissance from H.M.S. Whitesand Bay. The unit then made three successful raids, using limpet mines to cut enemy railway lines along the north-eastern coast of Korea. In late November, 41 Commando joined the U.S. X Corps for the advance towards the Chosin Reservoir. This involved crossing the 38th Parallel, an act which triggered China's entry into the war. As Chinese forces poured southwards, Drysdale led a gallant fighting retreat from Koto-ri. U.S. and Royal Marines fought side by side through the galling ambush in 'Hellfire Valley', suffering heavy casualties in the bitter cold. Despite the low temperatures the Royal Marines still clung to their green berets, wearing them under their parka hoods. A U.S. Marine, P.G.C. Clyde Queen, recalled what he saw one freezing morning during the retreat:

'It was around 0630 or 0700 when I heard some formal commands being barked out… there they were, the Royal Marines all standing tall, at attention in dress formation. Their uniforms were clean and presentable, the Royal Marines were clean shaven… The commanding officer was inspecting each RM and their weapons. I rubbed my eyes in disbelief. I knew right then and there that I would never have the stuff it takes to become a British Royal Marine.'

Drysdale's column, forever immortalised as 'The Chosin Few', fought through seven Chinese divisions to reach the sea at Hungnam on 10 December. 41 Commando returned home aboard the Empire Orwell in December 1951, leaving 31 dead and 17 prisoners of war in Korea. Brain-washing was used on all the prisoners of war, seven of whom died in captivity. The U.S. Marine Corps insisted on sharing their Presidential Citation for the Chosin campaign with the Royal Marines of 41 Commando, breaking a U.S. Navy convention that restricted this award to U.S. servicemen. For his valuable services in keeping Drysdale's men supplied through the bitter cold, Mann was promoted to Lieutenant (London Gazette, 10 April 1953). He retired on 15 September 1958 at the rank of Captain, and was the last 'Red Marine' still serving. He died at Gillingham in 2000; sold with a folder of copied research, including Mann's obituary and naval service record.



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Sold for
£2,100

Starting price
£700