| Description | The records in this collection comprise the minute book of the Burton-on-Trent (Staffs) branch of the No More War movement from its inauguration in 1927 to 1934, and Mr Mann's war journal, written in 1944 and 1945. The journal describes the author's life on the troop ship SS Strathmore, travelling from Liverpool to Bombay, although the narrative ceases shortly after the ship arrived at Port Tewfik (Taufiq) at the southern end of the Suez Canal. The events in the text took place between October and November of 1943, dates that can be inferred from references to an air attack on the convoy after its departure from Gibraltar (the night of 5-6 November 1943). Apart from this event, the content is mostly of social, rather than military interest, with vivid descriptions of day-to-day life on board ship. The collection also includes some photographs and a copy newspaper clipping. |
| Administrative History | Charles Barton Mann was originally from West Hartlepool, but his family moved to Burton on Trent when he was a boy. He became a journalist, working on local newspapers in Burton, before moving to the Derby Evening Telegraph in 1936 as assistant sports editor and then feature writer. From 1934, he was secretary of the Burton branch of the No More War movement. The group, founded in 1927, met at various places, including Victoria House, Derby, until establishing a regular venue for meetings at Friends House, Abbey Street, Burton on Trent.
During the Second World War, Charles Mann served in the Royal Air Force. As the war drew to a close, he began writing a memoir of his experiences in his war journal, which is preserved in this collection. He returned to the Derby Evening Telegraph after the war, and went on to be Editor-in-Chief of the Lancaster and Morecambe Guardians. He died in 1975. |
| Custodial History | These items were donated to Derbyshire Record Office in April 2009. |