Military History

Embarked Melbourne per ‘Afric’ A19 for Egypt 22.5.1915.
Roll Rank Captain.
Roll Unit 6th Infantry Training Brigade.
Manning disembarked at Suez 28.6.1915. He was promoted to Major 9.10.1915. Manning was placed in command of the 2nd Div. Training Div. 14.2.1916. He was admitted to the 4th Auxilliary Hospital Cairo with mumps 14.2.1916 –1.3.1916. On discharge Manning was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel 1.3.1916. He transferred from 16th Army Service Corps to Head Qtrs. as Acting OC in Ismalia 12.3.1916. Manning proceeded to join BEF with the Service Corps in Alexandria 20.3.1916 and embarked for France. He took furlough to the UK from France 26.5.1916 - 5.6.1916. Manning was mentioned in Despatches 3.11.1916. He was awarded a Distinguished Service Order 4.1.1917 for distinguished and gallant services and devotion to duty in the field in France.
Manning took leave to Paris 28.1.1917-6.2.1917. He was admitted to NZ  Hospital in Amiens for an eye examination 4.3.1917. Manning was promoted to Lieut. Colonel 4.8.1917.
Manning took leave to the UK 19.5.1917 - 26.5.1917. He was promoted to Brevet Major in the Australian Military Forces (AMF) for specially meritorious work rendered on active service 24.9.1917.
Manning took further leave to Paris. He rejoined his unit 20.1.1917 -3.11.1917. Leave to Paris as 13.71918 -27.7.1918 l and 21.1.1918- 8.1.1918. Manning sustained an injury to his hand, and was admitted to Hospital 16.2.1818. He marched in from France 27.4.1919 to Sutton Veny and marched out to the Deputy Assistant Adjunct General (DAAG) 19.5.1919. Manning was awarded an OBE and a Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for valuable services rendered in connection with military operations in France 3.6.1919. He was granted leave with ‘pay and subs’ for overseas Trade with the British Foreign Office 10.7.1919. His leave was extended to 15.9.1919 and again to 16.10.1919.
Embarked for Australia per ‘Orvicto’ 1.11.1919.
Returned/Disembarked to Fremantle 7.12.1919 (joined by wife and continued on as OC to the Eastern States)
Appointment Terminated 2.5.1920.
Final Rank Lieutenant Colonel.
Medical Condition NK.
Awards and Medals 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Order of the British Empire (3.6.1919),
Distinguished Service Order (London Gazette 1.1.1919)
Mentioned in Dispatches, (London Gazette 4.1.1917) (London Gazette 11.7.1919)
Recommendation for DSO - Citation 3.10.1916:
‘For specially good service as commander of Divisional Train. His forethought, care and energy in the supply and rationing of this Division have been most marked’.
(AWM Honours and Awards)

Recommendation for Commander of Order of British Empire -citation 30.1.1919:
‘As OC Divisional Train. Col. Manning has rendered consistently good service and has always ensured an uninterrupted flow of supplies to units especially during the period of advance and heavy fighting from August 8th – October 6th 1918 including operations at Villers-Bretonneux, Mont Quentin, Beaurevoir Line, and MontBreha, when railheads were continually being changed, the work of the Divisional train was most praiseworthy.
Lieut. Col. Manning was always in close touch with the varying phases of the battle and as a result , no instances of supply failing are recorded’.
(AWM Honours and Awards)

Notes Manning died in Perth in 1957. He married Ada nee Habgood in 1905. He and his wife both played promoinent roles in WW1. Ada was involved with the Red Cross and Friendly Union of the Soldiers and Sailors. Post war, Manning was appointed Director of Migration and Settlement for the Commonwealth Government at Australia House, London. Ada played a promonent role in the Women's Immigration Auxilliary Council and the  National Council of Women. She received an OBE for her work.  Ada pre deceased her husband in 1938. Their home 'Edgehill', was  renovated in 1930 on their return from London. Colonel Manning  presented the Guildford Council with the War Trophy - a Howitzer  Gun for display in Stirling Square next to the Guildford War Memorial  (Western Mail 20.10.1921) and supported the Guildford Anzac Days and Gunners' Day services in the town.

Photos Col. Charles Henry Ernest Manning as the newly appointed Director of Migration and settlement in London1928. Photographer unknown, photograph source The Telegraph  20.7.1928 p17.
            'Edge Hill'', 1 Hill Street, Guildford c 1920, home of Col. Manning. Photograph  sourced from and reproduced with permission of A.Habgood
            4th Auxiliary Hospital Abassia, Cairo- ward interior 1915. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM C03543
            Ammunition transfer from Broad Gauge to Light Gauge Rail, Frizeville, Belgium 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM C0135
            Col. Manning presented the Howitzer captured at Hamel to the Mayor and councillors of Guildford 1921. Photographer E.L.Mitchell, photograph source Western Mail, 20.10.1921. p21
               
         
Information Source
AWM C03543. 4th Auxiliary Hospital Abassia, Cairo- ward interior 1915. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM C01357. Ammunition transfer from Broad Gauge to Light Gauge Rail, Frizeville, Belgium 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Cpllection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM Embarkation Roll- Charles Henry Manning
AWM Honours and Awards- Charles Henry Manning
St Matthew’s Honour Roll.
'EdgeHill', 1 Hill Street, Guildford c 1920, home of Col. Manning. Photograph sourced and reproduced with permission of A. Habgood
Guildford War Memorial.
NAA: B2455 Manning Charles Henry Ernest
The Telegraph  20.7.1928 p17. Col. Charles Henry Ernest Manning.
Western Mail . War Trophy. 20.10.1921. p21
Wise H. and Coy. Western Australian Post Office Directories. SLWA

1 Hill Street, Guildford, WA.

Associated Images