IN the Sunday Observer last week there was a real ‘cut-out & keep’ full-page item: ‘The war years and Norman Manley’ by Lance Neita. In Jamaica, we are far too disinterested in the nation’s wealth of history and Neita has given an admirable recounting of the Right Excellent Norman Washington Manley’s days in action at the front during World War I.

There is just one point which I’d like to clarify. Towards the end of the piece, in referring to Manley’s return to Jamaica some time after the end of the war, it states: “He returned as a war hero, having earned a military medal.” In fact, there’s rather more to it than that. A special supplement of the official London Gazette of October 30, 1917, stated: “His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to award the Military Medal for bravery in the Field to the undermentioned Non-Commissioned Officers and Men”, among whom, of course, was Gnr NW Manley, RFA (‘Gnr’ being the official abbreviation for Gunner & ‘RFA’ standing for Royal Field Artillery).

So the award was not a standard service medal, of which Mr Manley received two, the Military Medal was for conspicuous bravery. It also entitled the bearer to place the letters MM after his name, which Manley meticulously always did on relevant occasions throughout his long, distinguished statesman’s career.

There is an interesting footnote, of all our national heroes, the Right Excellent Norman Manley is unique in having also been the recipient of a significant gallantry award of international standing.

Manley’s World War I and subsequent decorations are on permanent display at the Jamaican Military Museum at Up Park Camp, Kingston. Public viewing hours are 10:00 am – 4:30 pm, Wednesday through Sunday.

— Merrick Needham serves as civilian historian on the Oversight Board of the Jamaican Military Museum & Library.