[BIOGRAPHY]
John Thomas Mantell was born in Brighton, Sussex on 10th June 1867 and prior to enlistment was a labourer. He enlisted in London on 11th March 1885 aged 18 for 12 years. He was married on 8th November 1895 age 28 and was re-engaged on 10th June 1897 for a second period of service at age 30.
He received his LSGC on 17th February 1905 after 20 years total service. He then served for a further 9 years with a second discharge on 11th June 1906.
On declaration of the Great War he is then seen back in service at Plymouth for the remobilisation on 3rd August 1914 and was at Dunkirk on 19th September 1914 and at the Defence of Antwerp on 12th October 1914. He was one of the men who avoided internment in Holland who then took part in the 1915 Gallipoli campaign before returning to France in 1916.
He probably took part in the Gavrelle Windmill Action and was badly wounded in the left foot in France on 9th May 1917.
He was then invalided out of the service on 16th May 1917 aged 50
(Silver war badge 9341). His total service was 25 years.
The medals are original EF & swing mounted as worn on their original ribbons by the recipient who has proudly & touchingly mounted two silver rosettes under his 5th August -22nd November 1914 clasp. Only the small number of 756 1914 Stars were issued to the Plymouth based men, which after the Deal medal makes it the second most difficult Star to obtain. 
With a full service history sheet.
Address upon discharge was 4 St Stephens Avenue, Shepherds Bush, London W12. The address still exists and is just of Goldhawk Road .
A VERY SCARCE & DESIRABLE ORIGINAL GROUP.
£650