Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
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Date Information
17/07/2020 William Mann was a member of L.O.L. No. 92.
17/07/2020 A promising footballer, William played for Hillhead Rovers F.C. and Victoria Rangers F.C.
17/07/2020 A promising footballer, en enthusiast for the soccer code, the deceased played for Hillhead Rovers F.C. and Victoria Rangers F.C. At a meeting of the Rovers, held on Friday evening at Hillhead, tribute was paid to the deceased’s services and association with the club and to his popularity. A resolution was passed in silence, the members standing, sympathising with Mr and Mrs Mann on the great loss they had sustained.
17/07/2020 A great favourite with all who knew him, and they were many, Sergeant Pilot Mann, before joining the Royal Air Force, had been in the Home Guard, in which he rose to the rank of lieutenant in ‘C’ Company, South Londonderry Battalion, which corps paid tribute to his memory at the ‘Stand Down’ supper on Friday evening by observing a two minute silence. He had been a member of L.O.L. No. 92, which Lodge at their monthly meeting on Monday passed a resolution of sympathy with Bro John Mann (a member of the Lodge), Mrs Mann and family on their sad loss. The resolution was passed with the brethren standing, after which, as a tribute of respect to an esteemed comrade, the Lodge adjourned.
17/07/2020 There was much regret expressed and sympathy extended to Mr and Mrs John Mann and family, of Hillhead, when it was learned that their elder son, Sergeant Pilot William Mann, had been killed in an accident overseas. Beyond a wire conveying the sad news, no details of the accident have come to hand.
17/07/2020
17/07/2020 From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 9th December 1944: Castledawson
17/07/2020 Prior to enlisting, William had been in the Home Guard, in which he rose to the rank of lieutenant in ‘C’ Company, South Londonderry Battalion.
03/07/2020
03/07/2020 From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 20th May 1944: Castledawson
03/07/2020 Flight Sergeant W C Mann (elder son of Mr and Mrs Mann of Hillhead), who joined the Royal Air Force in 1940 and was promoted a warrant officer in March last, has been selected for a commission by being promoted to the rank of Pilot Officer.
03/07/2020 William Mann joined the Royal Air Force in 1940.
10/01/2020 It also lists William’s brother:-
10/01/2020 William attended the Rainey School in Magherafelt between 1936 and 1939.
10/01/2020 William Mann was born about 1922.
10/01/2020 William went to America and trained as a pilot. He graduated from the Advanced Flying School, Alabama, U.S.A. He was awarded his diploma and U.S. Army Air Corps and R.A.F ‘wings’ insignia by Lieutenant Colonel Haddon.
10/01/2020 Cadet Mann specialised in fighter training, and included in his course of instruction were aerial and ground gunnery, tactical and combat formations and high altitude missions.
10/01/2020 Flying Officer (Pilot) Mann served with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Force in World War Two.
10/01/2020 On 23rd November 1944, it seems that Flying Officer (Pilot) Mann was on board Expeditor II (Serial No HB250), which flew into high ground near Naples during a ferry flight in low cloud. All on board were killed. The exact details were never confirmed.
10/01/2020 Flying Officer (Pilot) William Church Mann is buried in Naples War Cemetery in Italy.
10/01/2020 The CWGC record Flying Officer (Pilot) William Church Mann as the son of John K and Nellie Mann of Castledawson, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland.
10/01/2020 William Church Mann was the son of John K and Nellie Mann of Hillhead, Castledawson.
10/01/2020 From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 7th March 1942:
10/01/2020
10/01/2020 There is a memorial plaque in Castledawson Parish Church. It reads:-
10/01/2020 ‘Sacred to the Memory of Flying Officer William Church Mann, R.A.F., aged 22 years, who gave his life in the service of his country. 23rd November 1944. And wa interred in Naples British Military Cemetery’
10/01/2020 ‘Richard Robinson Mann, Royal Navy, aged 29 years, died 20th July 1955 and was interred in this churchyard. He served his country in the Fleet Air Arm 1942-45. Dearly beloved sons of John K and Nellie Mann, Hillhead, Castledawson.’
10/01/2020
10/01/2020 William Church Mann is also commemorated on the family headstone in Castledawson Parish Church Cemetery.
10/01/2020
08/01/2020 Mr William C Mann (son of Mr and Mrs J K Mann of Hillhead, Castledawson), was a member of the seventh Aviation Cadet class to be graduated from the Advanced Flying School, Alabama, U.S.A. He was awarded his diploma and U.S. Army Air Corps and R.A.F ‘wings’ insignia by Lieutenant Colonel Haddon, at a brief but impressive graduation ceremony held at the post recently. Cadet Mann specialised in fighter training, and included in his course of instruction were aerial and ground gunnery, tactical and combat formations and high altitude missions.
20/03/2017
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