CAPTAIN JOHN LESLIE MANN, RSM 3 RGJ, A LIVERPOOL LAD - THIS BOARD IS NOW FOR HISTORICAL PURPOSES ONLY. CLICK ON RGJ ASSOCIATION TO RETURN TO NEW IN MEMORIAM FORUM.

Date: Feb 1, 2011

CAPTAIN JOHN LESLIE MANN, RSM 3 RGJ, A LIVERPOOL LAD

Date: Feb 2, 2011

This news is much regretted - I knew Johnny Mann from the very first time he joined the old 3RGJ.
As all will agree, he was a very capable, professional, likable, soldier and a true Green Jacket in the very essence of our unique way of soldiering.
There are many stories that can be related to Manbo; for a time during the battalions UN tour of Cyprus, we were both the battalions adventure training staff out at Lara Point, Steve Horsley was the boss. On an unofficial trip into Paphos we had a slight incident with our Land Rover in the early hours of one morning, which technical was against UN regs as we were over curfew. We resolved the problem by covertly breaking in to our own battalions camp and 'borrowed' a spare wheel! As always with John, the whole operation was carried out with true professionalism even though we couldn't stop giggling thrughout.
Rest now John, stand easy - keep watch for us.

Dave Smith

Date: Feb 2, 2011

Macker wrote:

It is with a very heavy heart that I announce the death of Johnny Mann who had been suffering from cancer for some time. Mambo passed away on Saturday night and his family were at his bedside.

We are invited to join many others and say a final farewell to Mambo at Lincoln Crematorium on Friday 4 February at 1510hrs. I realise that this is very short notice and many who would like to attend may not be able to do so. He would understand.

Further details will be posted as soon as they are available.

Date: Feb 2, 2011

Mambo was a great rifleman and will be remembered for that sleep well mambo.

Sorry I wont be able to make the service Im out in Cyprus nowdays

Date: Feb 2, 2011

Very saddened to hear of Mambo's passing. John was a true Green Jacket with that unique scouse sense of humour. A true professional who was a role model for all in 3RGJ who came into contact with him. He will be sadly missed, but knowing him he will be co-ordinating the Re-org upstairs. Rest in Peace Mambo. My sincere condolences to your family on their loss.

Date: Feb 2, 2011

I am sad to hear that John has passed on. I can go back to when I was a PT buster at Winchester and John was in JR Company, it was the inter Pln boxing and John was the only in memory to get disqualified in that type of boxing. When he had his opponent down he then proceeded to kick him, that scouse upbringing.

John was also one of my CPLs in Recce in 3RGJ and I knew that he would rise to better things because of his Proffesionalism as a true rifleman. He was also one of my sec commanders in Belfast where his leadership stood out to his men.

RIP GOOD MAN

My condolences to your family

Date: Feb 2, 2011

I was particularly sad to hear of Johnny Mann's passing. Melissa and I send our heartfelt condolences to his family at this very sad time. We both knew Johnny well.

I first met Johnny when I joined 3RGJ in Celle in 1982 and he was the RQMS. He was always the most courteous Rifleman I knew and I was to get to know him much better as we ended up as RSM and Adjutant together at the same time in Colchester and Gibraltar 1988-1989. He was particularly good at pacing Bn HQ fitness training runs so that the Adjutant didn't get left behind!!

He was subsequently commissioned in 1989 whilst we were in Gib and became OC Gibraltar Adventure Training Centre - an excuse to waterski and sail for the next 18 months!

Melissa first met him when she was a student and he was RSM of Southampton UOTC of which he was RSM. When she subsequently joined 3RGJ as A/Adjt he was the RSM and he went out of his way to make her arrival as the first female officer we had had in the Battalion as easy as possible for her..... and the rest of us!

He truly epitomised what is was to be a Green Jacket Rifleman. He was enormously proud of all that the Regiment stood for. He knew his regimental history to pat and made sure that others respected the traditions set by our forebears. He was also the quintessential Scouser, and was proud of his roots.

He will be sorely missed, not least because we won't see his like again.

As a tribute I have pulled together various photos that I have found to remind us all of a great Rifleman. Click on the photo below to view the photos.

RIP Mambo.

Date: Feb 2, 2011

Another top RFN marching to the FRV.
John MANN marched passed us at the gates in Collie in Civvys demanding to be taken to see Macca our CSM , we challenged him as he didn't show any ID although we had been told the new Raz man was in town, again we challanged him and prevented from going anywhere, he gave us a big old stare and then informed us that as we were on the ball on Guard duty we could have another two extra's as he felt safe in his new camp with us looking after him, what an understatement !!
Top bloke and our thoughts are with his family at this very sad time.
RIP Mate and when i meet up on the FRV Stand by on those Extra's.

Date: Feb 2, 2011

Crematorium address:

LINCOLN CREMATORIUM
WASHINGBOROUGH ROAD
LINCOLN
LN4 1EF

FAMILY FLOWERS ONLY.

DONATIONS TO: MEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES OR CANCER RESEARCH UK

I'm waiting for a call back to get the location of the wake.

Date: Feb 2, 2011

Rest in peace johnny you will never be forgotten by anyone that knew you

Date: Feb 2, 2011

RIP Mambo, fond memories of a very proud Green Jacket

Date: Feb 2, 2011

RIP MAMBO GOD BLESS

Date: Feb 2, 2011

RE: CAPTAIN JOHN LESLIE MANN

Date: Feb 2, 2011

RE: CAPTAIN JOHN LESLIE MANN, RSM 3 RGJ, A LIVERPOOL LAD

Date: Feb 2, 2011

Johnny Mann. Inspirational, funny and kind (particularly to young officers who had not a clue!). After his leaving the Army, I invested in his outdoor clothing company - we didn't get rich but we had a lot of fun.

May you rest in peace.

Jason Gard

Date: Feb 2, 2011

I would please like to add my sincere condolences to the many that have already been posted here to Lindy and all the Family, following the very sad news of Johnny's death. Having been out of RGJ circles for some time now, reaction like this reminds me instantly what being a Green Jacket was, and is all about, and what an enormous privilege and opportunity it was for young officers like myself, to have the likes of Johnny to look up to, and to show us the way. He was a shining example to us all and the standards he set are timeless. Swift and Bold.

Date: Feb 2, 2011

Address of Wake venue:

THE ASSEMBLY ROOMS
76 BAILGATE
LINCOLN
LN1 3AR

It is about 10 mins from the crematorium.

Some non - alcoholic refreshments will be provided and there is a cash bar on the premises for those Greenjackets who partake.

Which is just about everybody I know.

Date: Feb 2, 2011

Sad news and a sad loss indeed. God bless you Mambo and my deepest sympathies to your family and close friends. RIP.

Date: Feb 2, 2011

What sad news of the passing of a great Rifleman. I remember our time together in the Regiment with great affection - there were so many good times. That said, I have an abiding memory of Johnny Mann laughing as I tried in vain to squeeze myself into one of his newfangled wetsuits prior to a spot of water-skiing while he was taking over the Gibraltar Adventure Trg Centre from me in those hedonistic days that characterised the 3 RGJ time in Gib. This on the GATC 'dock' from which he promptly fell off - fully clothed!

My heartfelt sympathies go out to Lindy and the whole Mann family - he will be sorely missed by us all.

Date: Feb 3, 2011

Yes, a greenjacket legend. My memories.....Mambo in the COP platoon in Derry, with full set beard and donkey jacket, he would brace up as we passed on the square, even to me, 2Lt 'hardly worth it' Cunliffe. Then as CSM S Coy as we prepared for W Belfast tour in 84. His rallying cry of "ciiiiv-pop' would get the blood flowing. And as RSM in Gib, he held his nerve with the whole battalion confined to barracks, to discover the NAAFI thief....he was successful, of course. Great moral courage and integrity. I salute him.

Date: Feb 3, 2011

Extremely sad news. My deepest condolences to John's family. I spent quite a bit of time with him in Colchester working on the regimental VC list, his enthusiasm and love for the Battalion and the Regiment as a whole was inspiring. He brought back the 'spirit' of 3RGJ which had been missing for a while. RIP.

Date: Feb 3, 2011

So sorry to here the sad news about Mambo,deepest condolences to Johns family.
Many great memories and laughs in the mess,a true gent and proper Jacket.
Sorry i cant make lincoln John but will say a silent prayer at the Liver building
at 1510,RIP John.

Pete McCreith and family

Date: Feb 3, 2011

Condolences to Johns Family, He was always very good to me. RIP John.

Date: Feb 3, 2011

Very sad to hear about John, good man always a laugh, My sincere condolences to his family and Rest in peace John not forgotten.

Date: Feb 3, 2011

John was my Sect Sgt during my initial training as a Junior Leader at IJLB Shorncliffe. I totally agree with Lofty and Jeff, we all looked up to the MAN, as I am sure many others did. He always expected the best effort possible from us and always gave the best in return, a true Green Jacket in every way possible

RIP John

My sincere condolences to your family

C et A

Date: Feb 3, 2011

R.I.P Sir, our sincere condolences to all of your family.

Alan "Zubes" Aubrey & family

Date: Feb 3, 2011

I first met Mambo back in 1966 as a boy soldier in Winchester. As has already been said the Scousers looked out for each other back then. Well Tom Connolly, Mambo Dave Grimes and others where a couple of terms ahead of me, needless to say one night I was invited down town to be introduced to the DRINK, the Bakers and other lovely places we all remember with affection. Needless to say they achieved their aim young Dicko was carried back to Peninsula Barracks and sneaked passed the guardroom. In the morning on Muster parade CSM Gramby {I think was his name} was inspecting us, as he passed me I decided to throw up narrowly missing him. Yes I spent a couple of hours locked up. Those days are very special to me and Mambo is part of them days. John you will never be forgotton Mucker.

I can't make the wake but be assured I shall have a glass of port or two about 1600hrs.

PS I don't have orange in my Scotch these days.

RIP My older friend

Date: Feb 3, 2011

              My sincere condolences to Johns family.
              I respect John as a man a soldier and a great SCOUSER.
              Rest in peace John .
                   A light is from our household gone,
                   A voice we loved is stilled;
                   A place is vacant in our home
                   Which never can be filled.
                                 you are a the chosen man from the 3Bn RGJ.
                                                   Delboy

Date: Feb 3, 2011

Sad news. He was indeed a legend. Thanks Johnny for looking after us all.

Date: Feb 4, 2011

So much has been written about John's pride in the Regiment and his devotion and soldiering prowess; all so very, very true.

I had bid farewell to 3RGJ some time earlier when my career took me to 2RGJ and
4RGJ, but we kept in touch and arranged to attend the same resettlement course.

Judith and I joined John and Linda in our joint venture to make Diatom Wetsuits the must have wetsuit; and as Jason has already mentioned, it was hard going but fun.

Eventually the desire to move to New Zealand became too strong and off I went with Judith; but not before John had presented with us a handpainted 95th Rifleman. So bloody thoughtful, and so typical.

John, you will be missed by so many people, not least by Linda and your lovely family.

So, farewell brother Rifleman. We are sorry we cannot be at Lincoln to honour you, but you will most surely be in our thoughts, as you are farewelled by your extended Green Jacket family.

Our heartfelt condolences to Linda and family.

Frank and Judith Jones