56th Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, 18 December 1917
Circumstances of Death
About noon on the 18th December 1917, 2nd Lieutenant Manuel was taking a practice flight over Hainault Farm aerodrome, Essex when his aircraft suddenly went into a spin and crashed into the ground. Among the people rushing to his aid was an American airman, Clayton Knight and two other Americans and as they got there his deceased body was being pulled from the wreckage. The next day, they were pall-bearers at his funeral.
Further Military Research
Vane Carrington Manuel known as ‘Larry’ Manuel was born on 26 May 1888 at Deloraine, Manitoba, Canada.
Prior to enlisting into the Royal Flying Corps, Vane Manuel had served in the Canadian Expeditionary Force. His Canadian records specify the following:-
On 29 December 1914, he enlisted at Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, he was single and had been working as a Salesman. His address was given as 10841st-127th Street, Edmonton. During his medical at this time his description was given as:-
- Height – 5’9″
- Chest expansion 32″-35″
- Complexion – Fair
- Eyes – Blue
- Hair – Fair
- Religion – Church of England
On enlistment Vane Manuel was placed as a Private into the 3rd Canadian Mounted Rifles, as number 108370.
- 12 June 1915, Vane sailed with his unit from Montreal to Europe on the S.S. Megantic.
- 2 September 1915, transferred to the 2nd Divisional Supply Column at Shorncliffe, Kent.
- 9 September 1915, embarked for overseas service in France / Flanders setting off from Southampton.
- 11 August 1916, was on attachment to the Royal Flying Corps.
- 23 September 1916, he was discharged from the Canadian Expeditionary Force pending obtaining a Commission in the Royal Flying Corps.
- 24 September 1916 – Taken into the Royal Flying Corps.
- 10 October 1916 – Entry in London Gazette dated 27 Sept. 1917- Temp 2nd Lt. V.C. Manuel, General List from a Flying Officer (Observer), with seniority from 10 Oct. 1916.
- 22 December 1917, he was buried at Ilford (Buckingham Road) Cemetery, Essex.
Conflicting Information
There are a few pieces of conflicting information in relation to Vane Manuel – On the Casualty Card for his accident / death, he is shown as being in 44 Squadron, was flying a Sopwith F.1 Camel and was killed at Chadwell Heath.
The book ‘Over The Battlefronts’ – Amazing Air Action of World War One, from a witness states that Manuel was flying a B.E.2 and the crash happened over Hainault Farm, Essex.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission has his Squadron as 56 Squadron.
Family
Vane Carrington Manuel was born on 26 May 1888 at Deloraine, Manitoba, Canada.
In his Canadian Record, Register of Soldiers Effects and news articles, his family is shown as:-
- Father – George Moreton Manuel – Died c.1929 in a motor accident.
- Mother – Edith Pajet Manuel – Died – June 1934.
- Brother – John Gerald Manuel, Captain, Royal Air Force – Killed in Action.
- Sister – Rita Manuel
- Sister – Mrs Harry Elwell
- Sister – Mrs Alan Pech
Addresses
On his enlistment, the address of his parents was shown as 10841-127th Street, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Medals
Vane Carrington Manuel was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the Victory and the British War Medals for his service in the Great War.
Memorials
Vane Carrington Manuel and his brother John are honoured and remembered on a family memorial stone within a cemetery in Edmonton.
Links to Additional Information
- Commonwealth War Graves Commission – Vane Carrington Manuel
- A Street Near You website – Vane Carrington Manuel
- Lives of the First World War – Vane Carrington Manuel
- London Gazette – dated 27 September 1916
- London Gazette – dated 18 October 1917
- London Gazette – dated 1 February 1917
- London Gazette – dated 23 October 1916
- R.A.F. Museum – Casualty Card – Vane Manuel
- Find a Grave – Vane Carrington Manuel (Essex)
- Find a Grave – Vane Carrington Manuel (Edmonton, Canada)
References
- Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
- Canadian Expeditionary Force Military Record – Vane Carrington Manuel.
- Book – Over the Battlefronts – Amazing Air Action of World War One by Peter Kilduff.
- Medal Index Card.
- Soldiers Died in the Great War list.
- Medal Roll – 1914-15 Star – Canadian Army Service Corps – 2nd Divisional Supply Column.
- Army Register of Soldiers Effects – Vane Manuel – 1.
- Army Register of Soldiers Effects – Vane Manuel – 2.
- Medal Roll – Royal Flying Corps – British War and Victory Medals.
- Burial Records – Great Ilford, St Mary the Virgin; Parish Records; 1913-1920.
- The London Gazette – Various issues.
- Casualty Card – Vane Manuel.
Group
Contributors:-
- Vincent Stuart
- Kristen Den Hartog
- Trevor Torkington
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