Dear Mr Manley is a documentary made by De Ventos Films in conjunction with Ancestry. It follows members of the club investigating the stories of Ralph Manley, Club Secretary 1894 – 1919, and three members who went off to fight in World War One: George Roberts, Alfred Cole (and his brother James) and James Lowe.

So, how did this story start? Several years ago while Committee member Ron Jeffryes was fixing a leak in a space above the ladies’ loos he came across a stack of old papers.  They were letters from soldiers addressed to Ralph Manley, thanking him for sending them care parcels of cigarrettes and chocolate, and news from home. There were hundreds of them, all mixed up. So fellow Committee member Viv Jeffryes took it upon herself to group and organise them into folders to protect them from further damage. She also organised the display of letters you can see today in the Pool Room. 

Fast forward a few years and members of our Archive Group together with De Ventos films decided to look further into what happened to three of these letter writers and to Ralph Manley. Their investigation uncovered some surprising, and at times, heartbreaking, stories. Incredibly the team even tracked down the descendants of some of the people featured in the film whom they invited to an event at the Club in September 2025 to share what they’d found. 

Watch the documentary to hear what they found out.

Letters and photos featured in the film

Ralph Manley

George Roberts

Transcript of George’s letter:

Undated, Bassin Loubel
Dear sir,
Just a line hoping everything is going on alright at the old club. I have had plenty of shifting
about lately but am still in the pink. My address now is changed to the above for a bit. Was
coming home on leave 3 weeks ago but things are humming a bit and it was all cancelled
till further notice. However, I expect to call at the old Mildmay once again shortly and it will
be quite a change to see a billiard table once again. There are plenty of cannon table about
here, but the balls are like elephant’s. The news is very good, let’s hope it still continues
and soon finish for many a poor soul. It was very sad about poor old Percy Hagon(?). Had
many a rough time myself but Fate has been kind. Well, I must conclude with wishing
everyone all the best and will be pleased to give a show either with a billiard match or
turn(?) on the Green when I am up on leave. Just to see some of the old acquaintances.
Wishing club every success.
Yours truly,
Corp Roberts
A member

Alfred & James Cole

Transcript of George’s letter:

25/11/1916 BEF France
Dear Mr Manley, Committee & Fellow Members,
Very many thanks for the welcome parcel of cigarettes and tobacco received yesterday. If
you could only have seen some of our boys after the last advance, you would have seen
how much cigarettes are valued out here. Many of them were lying seriously wounded
puffing away at a cigarette, as if nothing had happened. Another club member by the name
of Wright who was in this battery has recently gone to England for training purposes and no
doubt has been to see you to thank you personally, also for me as I asked him to before
leaving. I am glad to say I am keeping well, but still looking forward to some of the good old
times at the club before so very long. I close wishing you all the best of luck, and once
again thanking you for the parcel.
I remain yours sincerely,
George Cole

James Lowe

Transcript of James’ letter:

19/11/15, BEF France
Dear Mr Manley,
Just a line to let you know I am still alive and kicking. I am back at my old job again,
sniping. My word, what an advance the boys made while I was away. My Battalion I found
at the same place as where I had left them. The Sergeant Major told me to carry on with my
old job and asked me if I knew the way to the fire(?) trenches, I told him I could find them
easy. So, off I went. Of course, I thought if I went about a mile further on, I would be about
right. But when I has passed an old fire(?) trench, I found I had only another three miles to
go. What with falling down shell holes etc, I can tell you, I said something about that
advance; I hope to goodness the germs (sic) come and meet us next time. We are stuck
right in the middle of a salient, and the enemy can enfilade us. I can assure you, it’s not very
comfortable. The French are pumping it into them on our own right with their 75, and the
chaps on our own left will have to hurry up and take Hullock(?), or I can see our own
Division having to. The line will be pretty strait(?) then, and a bit more comfortable. We have
come back a bit now for a rest, and the boys need it, for the last time in the trenches, we
was up to our own knees in water in places, no bon. We are about two miles from Lilles at
present, and a very nice place, too. The people are very kind to us, and look after us a treat.
We are just by the coal mines, so we are alright for a bon bath. You would have laughed, a
big batch of our own reinforcements had to be sent home again because of their
youthfulness. We called them the War babys. The medical officer told them that the men in the
trenches would cry if they had to have them by their side, especially when they are being
shelled. I know we had enough of them in Givenchy, the poor kids went mad. Well, I’m glad
to see that the people at home are bucking up and keeping us supplied with plenty of
shells. By gum, the germs have only to send a couple of shells over and our guns smother
them. My word, it stops them from digging them deep dug-outs. Some of our own chaps
are having leave now, so it won’t be long before I get mine, I hope. Hoping you are in the
best of health and wishing the club every success.
I remain yours sincerely,
Jim
PS. Give my love to any of the old members who are knocking around.