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LEADING SEAMAN JACK MANTLE VC
Yeovil and District Marine and Sea Cadet Unit derives its name from an ordinary person who displayed extraordinary courage in exceptional circumstances.
During the Second World War, British harbours were very dangerous places as they made attractive targets for German squadrons based in nearby France.
Junkers 'Stuka' dive bombers singled out one British harbour after another and on 4th July 1940 it was the turn of Portland in Dorset.
Part of Portlands protecting force was the armed merchant cruiser HMS Foylebank and one of its 20 mm rapid-fire pom-pom guns was manned by 23-year-old Leading Seaman Jack Mantle
Mantle already had a reputation for gunnery, being one of the few naval gunners on convoy protection duty to have shot down a German bomber with an old-fashioned Lewis light machine gun. For this feat had been Mentioned in Despatches.
On 4th July 1940 he reclined in his gunner's swivel chair and faced the fearful sight of more than 20 Stukas diving at him, firing their machine guns and dropping bombs.
His exemplary gallantry under fire was witnessed by Foylebank's captain, P.J. Wilson.
Foylebank caught fire and sank and Jack Mantle died of his wounds at his gun.
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The armed merchant cruiser HMS FOYLEBANK
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HMS FOYLEBANK post attack at her mooring, late 4th July 1940.
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From 1940 an heroic artists impression of the action.
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His VC citation on 3rd September 1940 is brief and poignant.
[ London Gazette, 3 September 1940 ],
Portland Harbour, England, 4 July 1940,
Leading Seaman Jack Foreman Mantle, Royal Navy.
"Leading Seaman Jack Mantle was in charge of the Starboard pom-pom gun when HMS Foylebank was attacked by enemy aircraft on the 4th of July 1940. Early in the action his left leg was shattered by a bomb, but he stood fast at his gun and went on firing with hand-gear only: for the ship's electric power had failed. Almost at once he was wounded again in many places. Between his bursts of fire he had time to reflect on the grievous injuries of which he was soon to die but his great courage bore him up till the end of the fight, when he fell by the gun he had so valiantly served."
Jack Mantle's Victoria Cross was the only one awarded to the Navy for an act of valour on mainland Britain. He had joined the Navy at the age of 16 and, fittingly, he was buried in the Royal Naval Cemetery, Portland Bill, Dorset.
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TS MANTLE VC's AFFILLIATED UNITS
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848 NAVAL AIR SQUADRON
Since 2006 Yeovil and District Sea Cadet Corps has been affilliated to 848 Naval Air Squadron.
The Squadron flies the Westland Sea King Mark4 aircraft and is the training squadron for the Commando Brigades 'Jungly Squadron'. A nickname earned during the conflict in Borneo.
We assist with giving uniform support to Squadron events including new pilots 'Wings Parades'.
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The Jungly Squadrons comprise of 845 & 846 NAS with 848 acting as their Training Squadron. Here in 1963 you can see HMS ALBION operating off Borneo with the Westland Whirlwind helicopters of 845 NAS and the newly introduced Westland Wessex helicopters (the larger ones) of 846 NAS.
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RFA LYME BAY
In 2006 the unit's affilliated ship HMS INVINCIBLE decommissioned, as a result in 2007 Yeovil Sea Cadets were adopted by the Royal Fleet Auxillary LYME BAY, this was the 4th and last of the Bay class amphibious support ship.
We have visited the ship on several occassions with the cadets having a sleepover in the accommodation on board.
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As the RFA LYME BAY is an amphibious support vessel, she is able to handle helicopters and with its dock at the back landing craft.
Once fitted out she was pressed immediatly into operational service and as a result it wasn't until 2008 she was able to have a commissioning ceremony.
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TS MANTLE VC's cadets and staff were invited to attend the ships commissioning and in July 2008 we spent 2 days on board at PORTLAND naval base. The cadets assisted with guiding guests and supplying a guard for the VIP's in the vehicle deck where the ceremony took place.
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