Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
ff
174377   Flying Officer William Church Mann
Save as PDF
Dated added: 01/01/2016   Last updated: 17/07/2020
Personal Details
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (British Air Force)
Died: 23/11/1944 (Died on Active Sevice)
Age: 22
Summary      
William Church Mann was the son of John K and Nellie Mann of Hillhead, Castledawson. He was born about 1922. William attended the Rainey School. After training as a pilot in America, Flying Officer (Pilot) Mann served with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Force in World War Two. 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.
Flying Officer William Church Mann
Further Information
William Church Mann was the son of John K and Nellie Mann of Hillhead, Castledawson.
William Mann was born about 1922.
William attended the Rainey School in Magherafelt between 1936 and 1939.
A promising footballer, William played for Hillhead Rovers F.C. and Victoria Rangers F.C.
William Mann was a member of L.O.L. No. 92.
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.
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.
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.
William Mann joined the Royal Air Force in 1940.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 7th March 1942:
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.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 20th May 1944: Castledawson
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.
Flying Officer (Pilot) Mann served with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Force in World War Two.
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.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 9th December 1944: Castledawson
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.
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.
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.
Flying Officer (Pilot) William Church Mann is buried in Naples War Cemetery in Italy.
There is a memorial plaque in Castledawson Parish Church. It reads:-
‘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’
It also lists William’s brother:-
‘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.’
William Church Mann is also commemorated on the family headstone in Castledawson Parish Church Cemetery.
The CWGC record Flying Officer (Pilot) William Church Mann as the son of John K and Nellie Mann of Castledawson, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland.
Read more
Relevant Magherafelt Area Locations
No Location Region Location Notes Longtitude Latitude
1 Hillhead, Castledawson Castledawson Parents lived at Hillhead, Castledawson 54.780888 -6.543929
2 Castledawson Parish Church Castledawson Memorials at Castledawson Parish Church 54.780343 -6.558287
References and Links
No Link Reference Map Doc
1 Castledawson War Dead Details of William Church Mann including photo
2 RAF Commands Brief details of William Church Mann
3 RAF Commands Forum Details of crash
4 War Graves Photographic Project Photo of William Church Mann's grave can be purchased here
5 WW2 Northern Ireland Details and grave photo
Magherafelt District's War Dead Acknowledgements 2014-2023