| Other Info | Prior to joining the army William Mansell occupation was a Baker in Worcester. Silver War Badge number 405824.
Corporal William Mansell (later Sergeant) was awarded the Russian Cross of St. George (3rd Class) in August 1915 on the recommendation of his commanding officer as the bravest man in the Battalion (photo above show him receiving the medal).
He had originally joined the Worcestershire Regiment in 1902 and left in 1912, joining the reserve list. He was recalled to the Regiment at the start of the First World War in August 1914. He was posted to the 3rd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment as a private soldier and was awarded the D.C.M. for fighting single handed against the advancing enemy at Ploegstreert Wood on the 7th November 1914. His citation read: "For conspicuous gallantry on 7th November 1914, at Ploegsteert. During a very heavy attack by the enemy he went forward alone under a heavy fire and shot a number of Germans thereby preventing any further advance by them in that direction."
He won a second D.C.M. as a Corporal on the 12th March 1915 for taking a message under heavy fire during which he was hit three times. His citation read; "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty at Spanbroek Molen on 12th March 1915, when he was one the first to enter the German trench in the attack. Corporal Mansell exhibited great coolness and fearlessness in cutting the enemy's wires, and was wounded whilst doing so, but then brought back a message to Headquaters, and although wounded in three places, returned to the captured trench and assisted in the defence."
He was discharged on the 3rd May 1918 as "No longer physically fit for service" and was awarded the Silver War Badge. In part this was due to his previous wounds to the chest and leg.
After the war he lived in Norton where he died in 1965 at the age of 74. |
|---|
