Conwyn Mansel-Jones was born was born at Beddington, Surrey, on 14th June, 1871, youngest son of Herbert Riversdale Mansel- Jones, Judge of County Courts, and Emilia, daughter of John Davis, of Cranbrook Park, Essex.
Captain Mansel-Jones was in the operations to relieve Ladysmith; was at Colenso, Spion Kop, Vaal Krantz, and Tugela Heights up to the end of February, 1900, when, during the Pieter’s Hill operations on February 27 th, The West Yorkshire Regiment was set to storm Terrace Hill. Under a heavy fire the attack seemed about to fail when the coolness and gallantry of Captain Mansel-Jones, who showed the utmost contempt of danger, provided the example which sent the whole line forward and enabled the hill to be captured. He fell, badly wounded, and his conspicuous bravery was rewarded by the award of the Victoria Cross.
(London Gazette, 27th July, 1900): His Citation reads “Conwyn Mansel- Jones, Captain, West Yorkshire Regiment. On the 27th February 1900, during the assault on Terrace Hill, north of the Tugela, in Natal, the companies of the West Yorkshire Regiment on the northern slope of the hill met with a severe shell, Vickers-Maxim and rifle fire, and their advance was for a few minutes checked. Captain Conwyn Mansel-Jones, however, by his strong initiative, restored confidence, and in spite of his falling very seriously wounded, the men took the whole ridge without further check; this officer’s self sacrificing devotion to duty at a critical moment having averted what might have proved a serious check to the whole assault”.
The date of Conwyn Mansel-Jones initiation is not known at this moment in time but it is known that he was a member of the Hunt Lodge 4475 of the New Forest Province, Brockenhurst, during 1924.
If you wish to read the full story please click on this link No34 Victory Cross Winners Vol 2