To mark the coronation of King George V, a Veterans Coronation Dinner was held at the Empress Rink in Nottingham on 20th June 1911. Each banquet produced a souvenir book that included information, photographs, and a list of names of those that attended and stewarded the event.  

Sergeant Arthur Mann is shown with the 7th Battalion (Robin Hood Rifles) Battalion The Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire) Regiment.  when listed as a Steward for the banquet. Though we don’t know the exact date of his enlistment, it must have been 1911 or before.  

With the outbreak of World War I, Arthur entered France 28th February 1915 with the Robin Hoods. They saw action along the Western Front as part of 139th Brigade of the 46th Division.  

On the 10th of August 1918, Arthur transferred to the 1st battalion Sherwood Foresters, where he served with HQ company. He was awarded a Distinguished Conduct Medal for gallantry. The London Gazette reported this on the 3rd of June 1919; 

‘From July to 11th November 1918, he has shown splendid devotion to duty, and has given entire satisfaction in all work he has undertaken. During the operations at Oppy in the second and third weeks of October he performed the duties of acting Regimental Sergeant Major excellently, and could always be relied upon. Under heavy shell and machine gun fire he showed a very fine example of courage and coolness to all ranks, which contributed materially to the success of any operation.’ 

He remained with the 1st Battalion The Sherwood Foresters until the end of the war.