John Mangan
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 28 Feb 1896 |
| Place of Birth | Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Death | 6 Aug 1980 |
| Place of Death | Victoria Park, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 44 years, 6 months |
| Description | 5'8½" (1.74m) tall ; ; fresh complexion ; blue eyes ; dark brown hair ; scar on right forearm |
| Occupation | Poultry farmer |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Address | First Avenue, Kelmscott, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Wife , Mrs Florence Annie Managan |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | W29233 |
| Date of Enlistment | 26 Aug 1940 |
| Rank | Lieutenant |
| Unit/Formation | 1st Engineer Stores Base Depot |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Remained in Australia |
Pre War
Had served for 4 years with the British Army's Gordon Highlanders prior to emigration to Australia, including WW1 from 1915 - 198.
War Service
Called up for full time duty and sent on a refresher course at Guildford on 26 Aug 1940. John was unfit for duty for 5 days in September with influenza. On 13 Oct 1940 he was transferred to the Infantry Training Depot at Ascot where on 9 Jan 1941 he was appointed as a Lance Sergeant. A week later he was transferred to the No. 1 Training Depot in Northam, reverting to Temporary Corporal on arrival and there he undertook an NCOs Training Course. Granted leave from 31 Mar 1941 until 5 Apr 1941, on 27 May 1941 he was appointed Lance Sergeant once more, and on 3 Jun 1941 he moved across to the No.2 Training Battalion. Granted leave again, this time from 7 to 13 July inclusive.
On 27 Aug 1941 John was promoted to Sergeant and after a few day's leave in November 1941 he was promoted on 1 Dec 1941 to Warrant Officer Class 2. He was granted home leave from 13 - 16 Apr 1942, and on 10 Jul 1942 he was discharged in order that the next day he be appointed to Commissioned rank as an Acting Lieutenant. On 12 July he was seconded to the Royal Australian Engineers (Works) and sent to the 3rd Australian Specialist Services Training Centre where he remained as an Instructor until 7 Feb 1944 when he transferred to the HQ Western Australian Volunteer Defence Corps. On 6 Mar 1944 he was posted to the 4th (Bunbury) VDC Battalion as Quarter Master for a brief time before on 7 Apr 1944 being again transferred, this time to the 1st Royal Australian Engineers Training Centre in Victoria.
In Victoria he was seconded for a time to a Field Company before transferring on 10 Jul 1944 to the 1st Engineer Stores Base Depot in Rocklea, Queensland where he was Acting Captain. On 21 Aug 1946 he was admitted to the 112th Australian General Hospital at Greenslopes before returning to his unit on 30 Aug 1946. John was sent to Western Australian on 6 Dec 1946 for discharge, which took place on 30 Dec 1946. He was placed on the Reserve List on 31 Dec 1947.
Post War
Notes
On 23 October 1945 John signed a Statutory Declaration to the effect that there was some doubt about his date of birth, but he believed it to have been 28 Feb 1896. His entry in the WA Cemetery Board website suggests that he was born in 1894.