More about Alan Cowan Mann

Lt temp Captain Alan Cowan Mann MB ChB RAMC

Elder brother of Alexander James Mann, (Known as Hamish Mann,  War Poet). Alan resided with the family at 11 Castle Terrace, Broughty Ferry and later moved with the family to Edinburgh.

Educated George Watson College Edinburgh.  Played first XI Cricket at Watsons and later at Edinburgh Uni Medical School graduating MB ChB in 1913

Served in OTC at Watsons as Cadet Artillery 1909 -1914
Commissioned Lt RAMC 1915    France and Flanders  MiD x 2 MC & Bar

Gazette issue 30813. Page 8822 Military Cross; For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Throughout eight days’ operations this officer did fine work in tending and clearing the wounded. On one occasion, when the line fell back, he remained with the wounded and succeeded in clearing all that could be found before he withdrew. The splendid work done by the stretcher-bearers was due to this officer’s organisation and leading.

‘T./Capt. Alan Cowan Mann, R.A.M.C. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Throughout eight days’ operations this officer did fine work in tending and clearing the wounded. On one occasion, when the “line fell back, he remained with the wounded and succeeded in clearing all that could be found before he withdrew. The splendid -work done by the stretcher-bearers was due -to this officer’s organisation and leading.

Gazette Issue 30915. Page 11283 Bar to M.C. His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to approve the award of a Bar to the Military Cross in recognition of his gallantry and devotion to duty in the field. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during an enemy attack. Hearing that a number of wounded had been left in a dressing station, he organised bearer parties and led them through heavy shell fire to the dressing station and evacuated all the wounded. Through his devotion to duty many wounded were cleared who would otherwise have been abandoned.

T./Capt. R.A.M.C. Alan Cowan Mann, M.C.and Bar
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during an enemy attack. Hearing that a number of wounded had been left in a dressing station, he organised bearer parties and led them through heavy shell fire to the dressing station and evacuated all the wounded. Through his devotion to duty many wounded were cleared who would otherwise have been abandoned. (M.C. gazetted 26th July, 1918.)

Following the war Alan returned to Scotland,  initially to 22 Nile Grove in Edinburgh then in the 1920’s to Fairfield Avenue in Staines where he served the local community as Medical Officer of Health.  He died in 1951

An interesting point of note is that Alan named his eldest son in memory of his  much loved younger brother Hamish lost in WW1 with 8th Battalion Black Watch, Alexander James Mann

He in turn went on to served in WW2 in the Kings Own Scottish Borderers with considerable distinction being awarded a Military Cross in Burma and an M.i.D also in Burma,  finishing his military career as a Major.  Emulating to some degree his father Alan,  who had been awarded the M.C. and Bar in WW1.

Alan was the brother of 2nd Lieutenant Alexander (Hamish) James Mann, 8th Battalion Black Watch, who died of wounds 10.04.1917 & Captain David Mann, Royal Army Medical Corps, who served during the Great War and returned home safely.