Dear Mr Manley: A WWI Working Men's Club Mystery | Ancestry

"Dear Mr. Manley..." These words begin hundreds of unearthed letters sent from the trenches of World War I to Ralph Manley, the dedicated secretary of the Mildmay Working Men's Club in London. The letters, cataloged by club volunteers, offer a raw, emotional, and often humorous glimpse into the lives of over 500 members who went off to fight, detailing everything from the harsh realities of the Somme to the vital comfort of care packages from home.

But as researchers delve deeper into the archive, a fascinating mystery about Mr. Manley himself emerges. Why do the records suggest Ralph Manley may not be his real name? Join the Mildmay Club's archive group as they piece together the incredible life of the man who kept the club's doors open for decades and cared for his soldier members, only to discover a secret identity, a bit of voter fraud, and an enduring legacy of community.

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