William George Nicholas Manley

Surgeon General William George Nicholas Manley, (17 December 1831 – 16 November 1901) was a British Army officer, surgeon and a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. He received awards from several other countries and is the only person to have been awarded both the VC and the Iron Cross.

Early life Manley was born on 17 December 1831 in Dublin, Ireland, the second son of the Reverend William Nicholas Manley; his mother was a daughter of Dr. Brown of the Army Medical Staff. He was educated at the Blackheath Proprietary School and became a member of the Royal College of Surgeons of England in 1851.

Military career In 1854 Manley joined the army medical staff and was attached to the Royal Regiment of Artillery serving in Crimea. He was present for the Siege of Sevastopol during the Crimean War. He was later posted with his regiment in New Zealand.

He served in the same war under Sir Trevor Chute and was present at the assault and capture of the Okotukou, Putahi, Otapawe, and Waikohou Pahs. For his services on these occasions he was again mentioned in dispatches and promoted to staff surgeon.

Family He married Miss M. E. Darton, daughter of Thomas Hartwood Darton, of Temple Dinsley, Hertfordshire. They had one daughter and five sons, including Lieutenant G. E. D. Manley, who died while on service in China shortly before his father's death in 1901. Citation for Victoria Cross (VC)

Decoration awarded in 1879 Bar ??

Decoration awarded in 1882 Bar Tel-El-Kebir

Decoration awarded in 1894 Companion level (CB)

Decoration awarded in 1894 Knight of Grace level (KStJ)

Decoration awarded in 1871 2nd Class for Non-combatants

Decoration awarded in 1871 Made of steel as for Non-combatants

Decoration awarded in 1871

Decoration awarded in 1880 third class

Decoration awarded in 1882

During his time in New Zealand he also received the bronze medal of the Royal Humane Society for rescuing a man from drowning, and after the siege of Paris he received the Cross of the Société française de secours aux blessés militaires. RibbonDescriptionNotes Royal Humane Society Decoration awarded in 1855 Société française de secours aux blessés militaires Decoration awarded c.1871

His medals were on display in the medals gallery of Firepower - The Royal Artillery Museum in Woolwich, south east London until it's closure in July, 2016.