Background
He was the son of George Morton and Edith Juliet Paget Manuel (née Imlach).
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John John Gerald Manuel Distinguished Flying Cross
Edit ProfileCareer
Manuel originally began service with the Canadian Field Artillery after enlisting on 27 November 1914. His attestation papers offer a few details about him. His next of kin was George M. Manuel, relationship unnoted.
Medical records show him with dark hair, gray eyes, medium complexion, and standing five feet six inches tall.
Neither his weight nor his build was given. Manuel switched to the Royal Naval Air Service in March 1917.
After training, he spent a short period in 12 Naval Squadron. On 12 August 1917, he was posted to 10 Naval Squadron as a Sopwith Camel pilot.
Nine days later, he drove a German Albatros Doctorate.V down out of control, and destroyed another five minutes later.
A month later, on 21 September, Manuel destroyed a German reconnaissance two-seater. Another Doctorate.V fell under his guns on 15 November 1917. He then received the Distinguished Service Cross on 19 December to close out his year.
Manuel scored his fifth victory on 18 February, destroying another Doctorate.V to become an ace.
He drove another down out of control the next day. He would continue to score until his final two wins on 9 June 1918.
Not even a hand wound caused by an exploding Very pistol during a patrol on 9 May 1918 seemed to phase him, as he quickly returned from hospital to fly combat. On 10 June 1918, the day after his final victories, Manuel fatally collided with rookie pilot F. C. Dodd.
Connections
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Born
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Died
June 10, 1918 (aged 25) -
Nationality
Canada