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Mick Mannock

Edward Corringham Mannock
EdwardMannock1.jpg
Mannock in his flying kit, c. 1917
Nickname(s) "Mick"
Born (1887-05-24)24 May 1887
Unknown (in British Isles)
Died 26 July 1918(1918-07-26) (aged 31)
Calonne-sur-la-Lys near Pacault, France
Allegiance  United Kingdom
Service/branch Royal Flying Corps
Royal Air Force
Years of service 1915–1918
Rank Major
Unit 40, 74, 85 Squadron
Commands held 74 and 85 Squadron
Battles/wars First World War
Awards Victoria Cross
Distinguished Service Order & Two Bars
Military Cross & Bar

Edward Corringham "Mick" Mannock VC, DSO & Two Bars, MC & Bar (24 May 1887 – 26 July 1918) was a British flying ace in the Royal Flying Corps and in the Royal Air Force during the First World War. Mannock was a pioneer of fighter aircraft tactics in aerial warfare. At his death he had amassed 61 aerial victories, the fifth highest scoring pilot of the war.

Mannock was born in 1887 to an English father, Edward Mannock, and an Irish mother. Mannock's father served in the British Army and the family moved to India when Mannock was a small child. Mannock was sickly and developed several ailments in his formative years. Upon his return to England he became a fervent supporter of Irish nationalism and the Irish Home Rule movement but became a member of the Independent Labour Party where he satisfied his interest in politics.

In 1914 Mannock was working as a telephone engineer in Turkey. After the Ottoman Empire's entry into the war on the side of the Central Powers he was interned. Mannock was badly treated and soon fell ill. Turkish authorities repatriated him to Britain believing him to be unfit for war service.


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