Capt
Robert Garnet Ralph Mansfield
Information about birth
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Year of birth: 1883 |
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Place of birth: Portumna, Galway, Ireland, United Kingdom |
General information
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Last known residence: Banff, Alberta, Canada |
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Profession: Day laborer |
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Religion: Church of England |
Army information
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Country: Ireland, United Kingdom |
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Force: Canadian Expeditionary Force |
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Rank: Captain |
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Enlistment date: 17/11/1914 |
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Enlistment place: Calgary, Alberta, Canada |
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Units: — Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry |
Information about death
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Date of death: 26/01/1915 |
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Place of death: St. Eloi, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 32 |
Cemetery
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Voormezele Enclosure No. 3 Plot: III Row: A Grave: 1 |
Distinctions and medals 3
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1914-15 Star Medal |
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British War Medal Medal |
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Victory Medal Medal |
Points of interest 4
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Last known residence | ||
| #3 | Enlistment place | ||
| #4 | Place of death (approximate) |
My story
Robert Garnet Ralph Mansfield, a former day labourer, was born on 4 October 1882 at Portunna, Ireland. He was the son of Capt. J.C. Mansfield and Jennie Mansfield. In 1912 he served as an officer in the Royal Irish Fusiliers. On 24 June 1913 he boarded the Teutonic and sailed for Canada, landing in Quebec City, Quebec. He lived at Banff, Alberta. He enlisted at Calgary (Alberta) under the alias “Frederick Fitzgerald” and served as a lieutenant in the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, part of the 7th Canadian Brigade, of the 3rd Canadian Division. On 17 November 1914, he was promoted to captain.
On 24 January 1915 the PPCLI marched through Voormezele and took over a section of trenches near St. Eloi. The men lay under sniper- and artillery fire, causing casualties. The following day was described as quiet. On 27 January 1915 the men were relieved and returned to their billets at Dikkebus.
Robert Garnet Ralph Mansfield, aged 32, was killed in action on 26 January 1915. Private Harry Horwood recounted his death in an interview after the war. Captain Mansfield stepped out of a trench to check on a highlander lying in no-mans land. Finding him dead, he brought his identification back to the Canadian trench. Harry Horwood stated the following: “As he was dropping to safety in the trench, disc in hand, a snipers bullet pierced his brain.” Captain Mansfield is buried at Voormezeele Enclosure No.3, plot III, row A, grave 1.
On 24 January 1915 the PPCLI marched through Voormezele and took over a section of trenches near St. Eloi. The men lay under sniper- and artillery fire, causing casualties. The following day was described as quiet. On 27 January 1915 the men were relieved and returned to their billets at Dikkebus.
Robert Garnet Ralph Mansfield, aged 32, was killed in action on 26 January 1915. Private Harry Horwood recounted his death in an interview after the war. Captain Mansfield stepped out of a trench to check on a highlander lying in no-mans land. Finding him dead, he brought his identification back to the Canadian trench. Harry Horwood stated the following: “As he was dropping to safety in the trench, disc in hand, a snipers bullet pierced his brain.” Captain Mansfield is buried at Voormezeele Enclosure No.3, plot III, row A, grave 1.
Sources 4
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"Pte. Harry Horwood, PPCLI, recounts wartime experiences" Crag & Canyon, 23.10.1915 Sources used |
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"Pte. William H. Jennings, PPCLI, a deadly night for the P.P.C.L.I." Crag & Canyon, 06.03.1915 Sources used |
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Personnel Records of the First World War (Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa (LAC), RG 150). https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca Sources used |
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War diaries - Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa (LAC), RG9-III-D-3, 4911, T-10703, 346). https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca Sources used |
More information 3
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Commonwealth War Graves Commission Database https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/456818 |
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The Canadian Virtual War Memorial https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/memorials/canadian-virtual-war-memorial/detail/456818 |
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Namenlijst (In Flanders Fields Museum) https://namenlijst.org/publicsearch/#/person/_id=34a5ed00-4544-486c-b0e5-4ed84b57bae8 |