Convocation spotlight

From 1969 until 2014, the Venue at Student Central was known as Manning Hall, named after Colonel Dr Frederick E.A. Manning (1897-1987), a graduate of the Northampton Engineering College and a former member of Convocation. Frederick was an instrumental figure in the formation of the University of London Union and the establishment of its home on Malet Street.

Frederick (Fred) Manning was born in London in 1897. In 1915, he left school to enlist in the British Army, serving with the Tank Corps in Flanders where he was wounded twice. Following a posting to north-west Russia in 1919, Fred was awarded the Military Cross, as well as the Order of St. Stanislas and the Order of St. Vladimir from the Russian Empire.

In 1922, Fred started an undergraduate degree at Northampton Engineering College, now part of City, University of London. He became an active member of the new University of London Union Society and was part of the committee of students who helped decorate and furnish the old army hut on Malet Street, which served as the Union’s original home. Here, Fred met his future wife, Alice (née Wistow), who was also closely involved in the establishment of the Union and became its very first member.

In 1924, Fred was elected Vice-President of the University of London Union and helped to organise a campaign to raise the funds to build a permanent home for the Union. Even after he finished his studies, Fred continued to support the Union, serving as its Honorary Secretary.

Before the start of World War Two, Fred joined the Imperial Defence College, now known as the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom, as a Civil Service Student and obtained the University of London Diploma of Military Studies. During the war, he served on the staff of the Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force in France, Belgium and Italy and was later posted to the Allied Commission for Austria in Vienna. In his civilian life, Fred worked for many years as a Director for the Post Office.

Throughout this time, Fred maintained his relationship with the University of London Union. He served as the Union’s Honorary Treasurer until 1952, acted as the Chairman of the Union Court until 1969 and Chairman of the Sports Finance Committee until 1974. Fred was an active member of the University of London Convocation and served as an Honorary Colonel of the University of London Officer Training Corps for 10 years. Fred was also appointed as the first Chairman of Convocation of City, University of London upon its creation in 1966.

In 1969, the University of London Union decided to rename the Assembly Hall as the Manning Hall in recognition of Fred’s record of 46 years of continuous service in support of the students, alumni and members of the University of London.

Although the University of London Union is no longer active, we continue to remember Fred and his dedication to the University of London. In 2017, a plaque was erected at Student Central to commemorate Frederick Manning and the former Manning Hall.

Student Central, previously the University of London Union