Conwyn Mansel-Jones

Restoring the assault on Terrace Hill despite severe wounds.

Conwyn Mansel-Jones was born at Beddington, Surrey, on June 14, 1871. Educated at Haileybury and Sandhurst, he joined the West Yorkshire Regiment in 1890. He served in the Ashanti expedition of 1895-1896 and in British Central Africa before returning to his regiment for the Second Boer War.

On February 27, 1900, during the attack on Terrace Hill north of the Tugela River, intense shell, machine-gun and rifle fire checked the advance of the West Yorkshire companies. Captain Mansel-Jones restored their momentum by taking the initiative. Although seriously wounded, his example helped the men carry the ridge and prevented the assault from faltering. Queen Victoria presented his Victoria Cross at Osborne House on August 20, 1900.

His wounds limited further regimental service. He undertook recruiting appointments and retired on medical grounds in 1910. Called to the Bar in 1914, he returned to Army service when the First World War began and worked on the headquarters staff in France. He received the Distinguished Service Order in 1915, became an Officer of the French Legion of Honour in 1917, and was appointed a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1918. Six mentions in despatches recognised his wartime service. He ultimately attained the rank of colonel.

From 1920 until his death he belonged to the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms. He died on May 29, 1942, and is buried at St Nicholas Churchyard, Brockenhurst, Hampshire.

**Victoria Cross citation**

“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 moments checked. Captain C. 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.”