Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Joseph Mangan was born on 2 March 1868 in Bathurst to Stephen Patrick Mangan and his wife Anne nee Mahoney as their second child. His father was a partner in John Meagher and Co at the time.

His family moved to Victoria in 1882 and Joseph married Hannah Madden in South Melbourne on 24 April 1895. Their one and only child Peter Paul Mangan was born on 29th June 1895 and Hannah died on 2 July a few days later.

Joseph appears to have enlisted in the Victorian Navy on 17 October 1891 at the age of 23. He followed his uncle Denis Mangan (1837-1916) who had joined the Victorian Navy in 1860 also aged just 23.

On 16 May 1900, Joseph married once more to Mary White in Victoria. He was aged 32 while she was just 22.

On 30 August 1900 as part of the Victorian Naval Brigade engagement in the Boxer rebellion, Joseph was a stoker on SS Salamis and returned to Australia on board SS Chingtu on 25 April 1901. He was awarded the China Contingent Medal for this engagement.

Joseph and Mary went on to have five children. Joseph continued to serve in the Australia navy until 1 March 1929 when he reached the age of 60. He was awarded a Long Service and Good Conduct medal in 1906 and the British War medal for his service in World War I. He served as a stoker on the HMAS Protector at the Navy Depot Williamtown but later was transferred to general workman from 1st September 1911 until his retirement.

He died on 20 July 1944 aged 76