John G. Manuel

Who was John G. Manuel?

Captain John Gerald Manuel DFC, DSC was a Canadian First World War flying ace, officially credited with 13 victories. He was the son of George Morton and Edith Juliet Paget Manuel.

Manuel originally began service with the Canadian Field Artillery after enlisting on 27 November 1914. His attestation papers offer a few details about him. He was unmarried, a civil engineer, and belonged to a militia unit, the Alberta Dragoons. 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 D.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 D.V fell under his guns on 15 November 1917. He then received the Distinguished Service Cross on 19 December to close out his year.