We have been contacted by the family of Fusilier Christopher Mangan who served in Italy and Austria with the 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers (1 RIrF).
In their notes to us, Christopher’s son, Philip, and grandson, Shane, have provided details of his service record but, although most elements are clear, Shane continues to uncover further details about his grandfather’s time with the Irish Brigade as part of his academic studies.
A Dublin resident, Christopher had joined up in Newry in August 1942 and was initially posted to the Royal Sussex Regiment with whom he served until December 1943 including some time with the 8th Army in North Africa, before moving across to the Buffs.
Then, in July 1944, Christopher joined up with 1 RIrF in the Rome area when the battalion were resting after the bitter fighting period at Cassino and Lake Trasimene and would stay with them through the final period of the war – moving from Alexandria to the wintry Apennine mountain fastness north of Florence before joining the final victorious advance of the Irish Brigade through the Argenta Gap to the Po river.
Following VE Day, it seems that Fusilier Mangan remained for two years in southern Austria with the Faughs and some of the pictures from his personal collection suggest he may have taken up piping during this less stressful period!!
On his return to Ireland, Christopher would work at the Guinness Brewery and he remained actively involved with those at Guinness who fought in the North African and Italian campaigns right up to the time of his death in 1997.
To illustrate some of Christopher Mangan’s war time experiences, we are also delighted that his family have also shared some photos of some of his comrades at leisure in Egypt, Italy and Austria – although very few of the men are named on the photographs, they represent some very evocative memories indeed.
Many thanks to Philip and Shane Mangan for allowing us to share Christopher’s story.
Faugh a Ballagh !
Fusilier Mangan with Riflemen Vokins and Leddy
