Hugh Wallace Mann

At the outbreak of war in 1914, he was just entering the last session of his Divinity course, when he answered the call to service, and enlisted in the Camerons. During that winter he trained with his battalion, and threw himself with wonted enthusiasm and determination into the work. In the early summer of 1915 orders were issued for France. For several months the battalion was engaged in minor operations. Then came the great onslaught at Loos on 25th September. In an excerpt from a letter home to his wife dated 29th September 1915, Hugh wrote:

"Our battalion had a terrible smashing-up - 75% casualties. Shall I tell you the story? It�s a good one and I expect you�ll see it in the paper some day � the charge of the 44th Brigade. We formed up in our trenches the day before while a most terrific bombardment went on. At day-break we went over the parapet and at once men dropped. We got over the German line, but were held up for ten minutes at the barbed wire in front of Loos. We got it cut and went thro� into the town. What scenes!"

"We were under heavy machine gunfire from the houses and each house had to be bombed. Then as we pushed back, they came tumbling out with their hands up shouting �Camarade, friend.� We got to the top and away beyond, but our left flank had not come up, and so we had to fall back. The fire here was terrific and our own shrapnel was giving us fits. We took up position on the near crest of the hill and entrenched, or tried to, there, and at this spot we hung on till we were relieved at eleven that night."

"I never knew before what absolute physical exhaustion was. To add to our joy the rain was in torrents. Altogether hell can hold no hotter corner. For hours we held that damned line against constant counter attack, and ceaseless enfilade fire, and always one was waiting one�s turn to be hit. It was horrible. Well, we came back and are now down a bit, and likely to go further for a rest. I have lost nearly all my friends. I am the only Sergeant left in D Company, and the Company numbers only fifty-four. But the Germans won�t forget the 44th."

At the close of that day Hugh Mann was the only sergeant of his company left unscathed. A month later he was invalided home, but was soon again on duty, and engaged for a time on recruiting work. In July 1916, he was nominated to a Cadet School, and after the usual period of training, gazetted 2nd Lieutenant in the Camerons. Early in 1917 he left again for France, and took part in active service. His promotion was rapid. In September, just after attaining his Captaincy, he spent a short leave period at home.

On 12th October, shortly after his return to the firing line, he was severely wounded in one of the heavy engagements on the Flanders front. For a full month he lingered in much suffering at the Base Hospital, and died on 12th November. His widow is a daughter of Mr William Reid, MA, FEIS, Bertrohill, Shettleston.