Born in 1898 at Woodford, son of Robert John (Gardener) and Emily Manby. 1901: With his family at 7 Granville Road, South Woodford. 1911: A Scholar with his family at 7 Granville Villas, Granville Road.
He enlisted at Stratford and was attached to 8 Royal West Surrey Regiment. They were in the Le Verguier area at 04.40 on 21st March 1918 when the German Spring Offensive began. In desperate fighting the British lines began to be pushed back. Lance Corporal John Sayer (born in Ilford) of the Battalion won a Victoria Cross for holding a position for over two hours against all the odds.
John Manby also played his part that day, but was among the missing who were never found. His death was later “presumed” to have occurred during the fighting.
Research by Adrian Lee, Local Historian
Sources:
Ancestry.com