| Mance | Harry Osborne | | Lieutenant | MANCE, HARRY OSBORNE, Lieutenant, was born 2 October 1875, at Karachi, India, son of Sir Henry Christopher Mance, Kt, CIE, LLD (the inventor of the heliograph), and Annie, daughter of John Sayer, of Yatton. He was educated at Bedford Grammar School and the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich; was gazetted Second Lieutenant, Royal Engineers, 15 March 1895. He became Lieutenant 15 March 1898, and served through the South African War, 1899-1901, as Staff Officer to the Assistant Director of Railways, and afterwards as Deputy Assistant Director of Railways, and DADR of Armoured Trains, Kimberley Line, from 1 January 1900 to 30 September 1902, taking part in the operations in Cape Colony, north of the Orange River, in 1899. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 29 July 1902]; received the Queen's South African Medal and clasp for Belmont; the King's South African Medal with two clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 31 October 1902]: "Harry Osborne Mance, Lieutenant, Royal Engineers. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". He became Captain 1 April 1904. From 4 July 1908 to 9 January 1912, Captain Mance was employed in Northern Nigeria on the construction of the Baro-Kano Railway. Captain Mance was Staff Captain at the War Office 2 December 1912 to 23 January 1915, and became Major 30 October 1914. He was DA Director, War Office (temporary) 29 January to 22 April 1915; given the Brevet of Lieutenant Colonel 1 April 1915; Assistant Director of Railway Transport, War Office (temporary), 23 April 1915 (Temporary Brigadier General from 14 August 1916) and Director of Railways, Light Railways and Roads, War Office, and Temporary Brigadier General from 26 September 1916. He was created a CMG in 1917, and CB in 1918, and was mentioned in Despatches in 1917 and 1918 for distinguished services at the War Office. He acted as Transportation Adviser to the British Delegation at the Peace Conference, and as one of the British Delegates on the Ports, Waterways and Railways Commission, and on the commission for the revision of the treaties of 1839, and has also been President of the Communications Section of the Supreme Economic Council. He was Revolver Champion of the Army in 1914. He married, at St Albans, 2 November 1911, Elizabeth Hope, youngest daughter of Major General W Stenhouse, Indian Army, and their children were: Henry Stenhouse Mance, born 5 February 1913; Herbert William, born 15 June 1919, and Mary Hope Jeanne, born 20 August 1916.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Royal Engineers |
