"A" Battery, 150th Brigade, R.F.A.

Awarded the Military Medal in the London Gazette of 25 September 1917.

Mannion was a native of Padiham, Lancashire.

The Burnley Express reported A PADIHAM HERO. Former Weaver Awarded the Military Medal. For an act of conspicuous heroism, Driver John Mannion, of 5, Wheat Street, Padiham, has been awarded the Military Medal. It is reported that he was engaged on an ammunition column during the night time when a German shell struck one of the wagons under which four men were sleeping. The ammunition was exploded, and noticing the wagon was ablaze, Driver Mannion and a comrade named Chippendale, of Great Harwood, immediately went to the assistance of their four comrades, and succeeded in extricating them under heavy shell fire, afterwards carrying them about forty yards along the road. Three of the men succumbed to their injuries. For their plucky action, the Major and other officers of the field congratulated Drivers Chippendale and Mannion, and both received immediately the ribbon for the Military Medal. Driver Mannion is now on leave. Driver Mannion was the youngest and first of three brothers to enlist, one of whom, Private Thomas Mannion (24), of the 6th East Lancashire Regiment was officially reported to have died from wounds on 9 March last in Mesopotamia. The eldest, Private Robert Mannion, is now in hospital in Devonshire, suffering from wounds sustained as a result of being buried by a shell which killed five of his comrades, he and another man receiving severe injuries. Driver John Mannion who is only 19 years of age, formerly worked as a weaver at Jubilee Mill. He joined the army two years ago and has spent most of this time in France.

Registered paper 68/121/272, schedule number 102523.