An opportunity to see the Victoria Cross awarded for an act of bravery in Dorset 85 years ago

Friday 4 July 2025 marked the 85th anniversary of an attack on Portland Harbour in Dorset, and the heroic actions of Jack Mantle. Mantle received a Victoria Cross (VC) for his actions, and his medal is on display today at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. 

A Victoria Cross is the joint-highest decoration in Britain’s Armed Forces and is awarded for unparalleled acts of bravery. Jack Mantle’s VC is one of only 182 awarded during the Second World War, and the only Naval VC to be awarded for an action on mainland Britain. 

Early in the Second World War Britain’s harbours were popular targets, as the surrender of France had left them more open to attack. On 4 July 1940 Portland Harbour came under attack from 26 German Stuka bombers targeting the anti-aircraft ship HMS Foylebank docked in the harbour. Stukas were infamous and terrifying aircraft, fitted with sirens to wail as they dived down to attack their targets. Foylebank was targeted as she would’ve hampered German plans to destroy Britain’s coastal shipping. When the Stukas were first spotted, they were mistakenly identified as friendlies, so they took the crew of Foylebank unawares, dropping 22 bombs on target. 

The initial bombardment of Foylebank had knocked out the electrical systems onboard and fatally injured Leading Seaman Jack Mantle. Mantle was in-charge of a Starboard gun onboard the ship, and despite his life-threatening injuries he stayed in position, having to hand-crank the gun to fire on the attacking planes. Unfortunately, Mantle succumbed to his wounds at his post. Several of the attacking Stukas were shot down; at least one is believed to be thanks to Mantle’s bravery. The attack was finished in eight minutes and Foylebank was critically damaged, eventually sinking into Portland Harbour. The sinking resulted in the loss of 176 of her crew, with many more injured. Mantle was awarded a posthumous VC for his bravery, facing down a squadron of Stukas while mortally wounded. 

Today Mantle’s Victoria Cross, in its original presentation box, is on display at the Hear My Story Gallery in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. This medal is a part of the artefact wall, celebrating stories of bravery and camaraderie in the Royal Navy. The wall features the stories of three separate Victoria Crosses, a sled used by the team who found Scott of the Antarctic, and more.