Charles Mann receives plaque of honour at Anglican Church of the Messiah

Charles William Mann of Kincardine has been honoured for his many accomplishments over the years, but he was truly touched by the presentation of a plaque of honour at his church, the Anglican Church of the Messiah, Kincardine, Sunday morning.

The plaque, to be displayed in the front lobby of the church, outlines a lifetime of achievement:
 

• Decorated Second World War veteran
• Member of the First Special Service Force
• Served with valour in the celebrated Devil's Brigade
• This unit has since been awarded the United States Congressional Gold Medal
• Distinguished member of the Royal Canadian Legion
• Outstanding service as Mayor of Kincardine
• Long-time councillor and community volunteer
• Unique distinction as one of Ontario's first Nuclear Operators
• Faithful servant of the Anglican Church of the Messiah
• Loving husband and devoted father of two
• A loyal friend to all

Brigadier General Garry Thomson, who went to high school in Kincardine and now lives in Kincardine and Mississauga, was on hand to make the presentation.

He said Charles Mann is the "real deal - simply the best there is."

Thomson said Mann was from eastern Ontario and joined the militia before the start of the Second World War. "There are soldiers, and then there are those special guys who volunteer for hazardous duty, usually because they want to be the best."

He said in 1942, the war had not yet turned in favour of the Allies. Both sides were secretly working on nuclear power, and the Germans had heavy water plants in Norway. The First Special Service Force - a combined Canadian-American unit - was formed with the plan to destroy these plants. However, a safer way was found.

So, the Special Service Force went to invade the Aleutian Islands, but discovered no Japanese there. Therefore, the force was sent to Italy where the fighting was desperate, said Thomson. "The key to advance was Monte la Difensa, a range of mountains that was impregnable. The First Special Service Force took on the impossible. Charles and his 2,000 mates climbed that mountain range and captured it, but suffered 77 per cent casualties."

From there, the force went to Anzio Beach in 1944 and held the line for 99 days without relief, said Thomson, saving the day when the other troops were in jeopardy.

The force was called the "Devil's Brigade" or "Black Devils," because the soldiers covered their faces with boot polish and attacked with knives in the middle of the night. Thomson said they often left notes behind that said (in German): "The worst is yet to come." The Germans were terrified of them.

The Special Service Force helped the Italian campaign succeed, which meant success for D-Day, said Thomson, and ultimately, the Allies won the war. The force served in southern France and then was disbanded in 1944 which was difficult for the soldiers, because they were no longer Canadians and Americans, they were brothers in arms.

Mann served as an infantry instructor until the end of the war and then returned to Canada, said Thomson. He has received many honours and awards, including the prestigious United States Congressional Gold Medal for his service with the First Special Service Force.

Thomson then presented the plaque to Mann, amid rousing applause from the congregation.

"I'm not sure what to say," said Mann, "and that could be the first time in my life. To be honoured like this, by the people of my church. It's God's own work, and I thank you all."

Mann and his plaque, with his son, Marten, Thomson, and Tom Owens, organizer of the event, marched to the back of the church, to the sound of the bagpipes, played by Jennifer Farrell and Terry Reid of the Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band.

A reception was held at Bean's Bistro afterwards.