Brigadier Manley Angell James V.C., D.S.O., M.B.E., M.C., D.L. (1896-1975), joined the 8th. Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment, January 1915, as a 2nd. Lieutenant, directly from school and in July the same year was posted to France to join the 19th. "Butterfly" Division as a Lieutenant; severely wounded in the thigh at La Boisselle during the 1st. Battle of the Somme, 3 July 1916 and invalided home; returned to France December 1916 as member of Brigade H.Q. Staff, but after pressing to return to active duty, was directed to rejoin his regiment at the front; wounded by shrapnel, February, and Mentioned in Despatches, April 1917; Captain, May 1917

"Our Captain"

In July 1917 the 8th. Battalion saw action at Wytschaete and Messines ridge. On the night of July 9/10th. 'A' Company under Captain James was instrumental in the capture of a vital strongpoint at Druids Farm.
M.C. London Gazette 17.7.16. Temp. Capt. "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Previous to our attack he took up a forward position under heavy hostile barrage in order to obtain accurate information as to the progress of our advance. He afterwards went forward and assisted to consolidate, as well as in the capture of a strong point, and having rallied the supports when they were disorganised by hostile fire, he led them to their position. He then made a very daring personal reconnaissance of the whole line under heavy shelling and rifle fire that he might send back a report to his battalion commander, and his total disregard of danger and brilliant initiative throughout the action were largely responsible for its success".

During a counter attack 27-28th. July, 'A' company again distinguished itself. On 2nd. August Major General Tom Bridges, commanding 19th. Division, issued the following Special Order;

"I have decided to award the Badge of Honour to "A" Company 8th. (S) Bn. Gloucestershire Regiment, for its gallant conduct during the capture of Druids & Wall Farms on the night of 9/10th. July and for the part it took in beating off by heavy rifle fire the attack of a hostile storm troop which entered our line on the night of 27/28th. July. In these two affairs the Company lost 5 officers and 52 other ranks killed and wounded.

This honour is awarded in recognition of the fine soldier like spirit displayed by all ranks on these occasions and of the good fighting record of "A" Company and of the battalion to which it belongs".

The Badge of Honour, the "Butterfly Badge", worn on the right sleeve by every member of 'A' company, was awarded to only one other unit, a section of Royal Engineers, throughout the entire 1914-18 War.

The esteem in which Captain James was held is reflected in the biographical sketch with the title "Our Captain", written for the "Butterfly Bulletin" 'published in the Trenches' November 1917. After noting the incidents recognised by the authorities, the anonymous author continues

"However "A" coy are unanimous in their opinion that his best feat was on Sept. 20th. when showing amazing coolness under heavy fire and a keen and ready recognition of military tactics he succeeded in getting the Company in contact with the Regt. on their right at a time when the attack was very disorganised...

The Capt. has established himself firmly in the esteem of all men from the latest recruit to the oldest member of the Company and we all look forward to the time when Capt. James will receive the further honours that we are confident he will gain."

"The German Offensive"

The First assault of the German Spring offensive, the "Kaiser Battle", was launched on 21st. March 1918. Seventy-four German divisions attacked the British 5th. and 3rd. Armies between Arras and la Fère. The 8th. Gloucesters were among the front line troops subjected to one of the most intensive bombardments of the war. A total of 6,473 German guns opened up along a 40 mile front. Though the great offensive had been expected for some weeks, the opening barrages in the early hours of the 21st. took the allies by surprise. The enemy had not indicated their intentions by 'ranging' their guns before starting what was to be five hours continuous shelling with both explosives and gas.

'A' company under Captain James took the brunt of the attack on the Gloucesters' position at Velu Wood near Hermies. In a letter to James' father the C.O. of the 8th. wrote, "The battalion fought most gallantly on the 21st. and 22nd. and your son as usual was untiring. "A" Coy. had lost 75 of their men and were overwhelmed by fresh masses of the enemy. On the 23rd. only stragglers came out".

As the British line was hastily withdrawn it became clear that the gallant stand made by 'A' Company had saved the battalion from becoming dangerously isolated. In another letter to James' father one of the few survivors of 'A' Company described the moment when the company's position finally became untenable, "I was the only man left of my Lewis gun section and Captain James came up a few minutes before we were surrounded by Germans and took my rifle and Bayonet as I was filling belts in a Vickers gun my gun being out of action. Captn. James said to us few left we are surrounded boys every man for himself he then got on the fire step and started firing at the advancing enemy telling us to run for it if we could possibly get away ... After that I saw nothing more of the Captain or other officers nor have I seen them since. I am certain that none got away from that trench after I left as I looked back some minutes after and saw the Germans getting into the trench at the back. I would just like to say that Captain James's action that day certainly saved the remainder of our Coy".

The British Red Cross wrote to Mrs James on April 25th.

"We deeply regret to say that we have to-day received two reports which are of a very sad nature.

Our first informant, C-S-M. W. H. Nash, 5702, C Coy., 8th. Gloucesters, in hospital in France, states as follows"-

"Capt. James was killed in the retreat from Cambrai. He was wounded twice but carried on. This was to the left of Bertincourt on the 22nd. The body was left out. It was reported to me. I have no doubt about his death. He was 6 ft., dark, worked for a time on Brigade, in A Coy."

Our second information is given us by Pte. F. C. Taylor, 201662, A Coy., II Pltn., 8th. Gloucesters, likewise in France; he says:-

"Capt. James was shot in the head by a bullet and died instantly; I saw it; it was near Hermies in the open ground, in the morning, during a rearguard aciton as we were retreating."

Both these accounts seem to confirm each other; but we would ask you to accept them with caution until we have further news; though we greatly fear that they may prove to be correct.

Please accept our most true sympathy with you in your anxiety".

and again on the 8th. May

"Since our last letter to you we have to-day received another report which is given us by a private who is at present in hospital in England, so we felt that you might possibly wish to get into communication with him.

"We went up to the front line in support about 11.30 a.m. on March 23 in the rear of Hermies. Whilst I was in the trenches I saw our own stretcher-bearers bringing Capt. James back from an advanced post on a duck-board. They carried him past me. About half an hour later we took up positions to the rear, and I passed him lying on the duck-board in a communication trench. He had evidently been left as dead. The Germans occupied this trench very shortly after."

Though our Informant is not positive that Capt. James was dead, he evidently believes this to have been the case, which goes to confirm the reports already sent you".

"Back From the Dead"

James' parents were left fearing the worst until 24th. May, when the following telegram was sent by the War Office "MANLEY JAMES GLOSTERS PRISONER WOUNDED WIRING CAMP WHEN KNOWN"

The joy at hearing this good news was increased by the announcement of James' Victoria Cross.

London Gazette, 28.6.1918 Manley Angell James, M.C., Capt.

"For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty in attack at Vélu Wood, Capt. James led his company forward with magnificent determination and courage, inflicting severe losses on the enemy and capturing twenty-seven prisoners and two machine guns. He was wounded, but refused to leave his company, and repulsed three hostile onslaughts the next day. Two days later, although the enemy had broken through on his right flank, he refused to withdraw, and made a most determined stand, inflicting very heavy losses on the enemy and gaining valuable time for the withdrawal of guns. He was ordered by the senior officer on the spot to hold on 'to the last', in order to enable the brigade to be extricated. He then led his company forward in a local counter-attack on his own initiative, and was again wounded. He was last seen working a machine gun single-handed, after having been wounded a third time. No praise can be too high for the gallant stand mady by this company, and Capt. James, by his dauntless courage and magnificent example, undoubtedly enabled the battalion to be withdrawn before being completely cut off".

Prisoner of War

James had been taken prisoner after receiving his third wound at about midday on 23rd. March. He later recalled being moved first by horse ambulance, then by motor ambulance to a field lazarett at Escadoeuvres near Cambrai. From there he was moved by tram to Valenciennes, and finally by train to Stralkow in Poland. For the rest of the war he was moved from camp to camp, staying at Karlsruke, Rastatt, and eventually a permanent camp at Schweidnitz. After the Armistice he arrived home on Christmas day 1918, and was invested with the Victoria Cross by the King at Buckingham Palace, 22nd. February, 1919.

Surprising though it may seem Captain James now found himself in the position of having to apply for a regular commission in the army. In common with many other officers he was discharged in 1919 against his wishes, while at the same time young cadets were being sent to Sandhurst for training. Many Verterans of the war had to press hard for their case to be heard, and James used every means at his disposal to secure a regular commission. The Times Parliamentary Report for 17th. March, 1920 included the following:-

"Lieutenant-Colonel Archer-Shee (Finsbury C.U.) asked the Secretary of State for War whether he was aware that Captain Manley Angell James, V.C., M.C., was a candidate for a commission in the Regular Army, and that this officer was only 23 years of age and was three times wounded, and whether, in view of this officer's exceptional service, a vacancy might be made for him and one correspondingly less vacancy alloted in the next Sandhurst examination.

MR. CHURCHILL, Secretary of State for War (Dundee, C.L.): -- I will ask the hon. member to postpone this question in order that it may have fuller consideration. Prima facie I should say that with these qualifications he would have a very good chance of being included".

James' tenacity paid off, and his commission as a Lieutenant was signed by the King on 8th. December 1920.

The Inter War Years

Operations against Sein Fein, Kanturk, 1921; with the Army of Occupation, Silesia, 1922, and Cologne, 1923; Captain 1924; with British Forces in Egypt, at Cairo 1928-30; Staff College 1931-32, Company Commander 1933, and Major 1936; Lieutenant Colonel 1938, and given command of 2nd. Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment; Colonel 1941, and G.S.O.I. 54th. Division; Brigadier 1942, in command of 128th. Infantry Brigade, which included three battalions of Hampshires. After a long period of training and preparations for desert warfare, which included infantry, tank and artillery co-operation excercises with American forces under General Eisenhower, 128th. Brigade was ready to join the allied forces in North Africa.

"Brave as a Lion"

In late 1942, the Allied 1st. Army under General Alexander landed at Bone on the Algerian Coast. 128th. Brigade joined them in February the next year and within days the Hampshires were distinguishing themselves. Fighting had raged across the desert for months with lines of communications on both sides becoming stretched. On 27th. February 1943, a concerted attack was launched against the extended British line of the 1st. Army between the coast and Jebel Mansour. The line was held at Beja by the Hampshire Brigade, supported by 155 Battery Royal Artillery. After the battle, which resulted in the complete repulse of every enemy attack along the British front, Brigadier James recommended 155 Battery for a V.C. in recognition of their stand against overwhelming odds at Sidi Nsir. The position at Beja, strategically the most important point in the Northern sector of the Allied line, was defended by the Hampshires against attacks by four enemy battalions supported by thirty tanks. Among the many awards won during this campaign was the Distinguished Service Order to the Brigadier himself.
D.S.O. London Gazette 21.5.1942 Brigadier (Temporaty) late the Royal Sussex Regt. "He commanded his Brigade, and at times more than his brigade, with considerable success. He stopped the enemy attack on Beja, and the fact that the Hampshires fought so well must be attributed to a great extent on his personal leadership. Personally as brave as a Lion, he was at the same time careful and solicitious about how he committed his troops. His difficulties were not lightened by the fact that all through the campaign he was suffering from ear trouble, from which anyone with less guts would have gone sick at an early stage of the operations".

In a letter home, written on 21nd. May, James describes the early weeks of this most successful campaign

"We were holding the line in front of Beja when we first went into action. We experienced heavy tank and infantry attack against us at the end of February, and the beginning of March, which we managed to contain. The German tanks knocked out as a result of these battles were a sight for the Gods.

After this we went down to Pichon which we attacked and captured on 7th. April, and from there advanced for miles to an area west of Kairouan.

On 22nd. April we moved on to Bou Arada which we attacked and took, and then on to Longstop Hill at the beginning of May. Between 8th. and 11th. May we advanced on Tebourba.

From there we advanced through the hill country to the south east of Tunis where we took part in the big round up from 11th. to 13th. May, narrowly missing capturing Marshal Von Arnim, the Germany Army Commander himself. We had a good haul of German Battalion Commanders and Italian Brigadiers however.

After all this we finally afforded ourselves the luxury of a day on the beach at Hamman Lif near Tunis, where we much enjoyed the bathing.

Generally a pretty successful party during which we covered a good deal of country".

The Press back home were quick to pick up the fact that James had achieved a remarkable "double". Connery Chappell, a war correspondent in Gibraltar, highlighted the achievement thus; "Many of Britain's fighting men have won the Victoria Cross and the Distinguished Service Order, but it is almost certain that the long record of valour knows only one case where a man won his V.C. in the 1914-18 war, and his D.S.O. in World War II".

"To the Fore at Salerno"

The war in Africa over, the war in Italy began. Once again 128th. Brigade was in the forefront, being the leading Brigade of 46th. Division at the Allied landing at Salerno 9 Setptember, 1943. As one of the assault brigades, the Hampshires became involved in some bitter fighting on the beaches. Four days into the battle, Brigadier James was wounded in the leg. It was not until two days later when General Alexander himself visited the front, that he allowed himself to be evacuated in a hospital ship to Egypt to recover.

Early in 1944 James was back in England, commanded 140th. Infantry Brigade training for "D" Day; appointed Brigadier Training Home Forces, until October 1945. From 1945-1948 he commanded British Air Force of Occupation in Germany (the R.A.F. Regiment units under senior Army Command) and in 1948 was appointed Director of Ground Defence at the Air Ministry. He retired in 1951; Deputy Lieutenant, 1957, and was made M.B.E. in 1958. Brigadier James died peacefully at his home in Bristol,