Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of Michael and Alma Ann Louise Mahoney, of Henley Beach, South Australia.

Joseph David Mahoney was an Australian soldier who represented and defended his country in the First World War. Joseph was born in Fulham, South Australia and made it his hometown as he grew up with his family. He grew up alongside one sibling being Lloyd Leonard Mahoney, his mother, Mrs Alma Ann Louise Mahoney and his father named Michael Mahoney. From his father’s background, Joseph was of Irish decent as well as his brother. As a little boy, Joseph attended Fulham Primary public school that was close to home and convenient. Joseph lived a regular life as his occupation was a gardener and his religion was a Protestant.

Joseph did have previous military experience to the First World War as he was a Sergeant of the 78th Battalion Citizen Military Forces. This gave Joseph the experience and knowledge that he needed, to assist him with different techniques. The impact on Joseph’s family of him leaving home for World War 1 was a strong emotional impact as Lloyd had left as well. It is also known that Joseph was unmarried.

Joseph’s official enlistment date was the 19th of April 1915, and his rank of enlistment was private. Joseph was 19 years old when he embarked from Adelaide, South Australia on the 2nd of September 1915. The embarkation ship that he took was the HMAT Anchises A68 as he set of for World War Joseph’s rank in this battle was a sergeant as he had previous experience in this area. The big units that Joseph was also a part of were the 10th Infantry Battalion and the 8th Reinforcement.

The conditions and experiences of the war and preparation were horrible as Joseph was not given the proper resources or protection as at the time, it was not available. This is also as he was not served the proper nutrition that was required for good health. The proper training was also not provided as many of the soldiers were young and did not understand or have the correct knowledge. The nature of the service during World War 1 was brutal as they were all there to protect and defend their country for freedom. Joseph fought in World War 1 for two years as after his fate took over and he was killed in action on the 8th of April 1917. The place of Joseph’s death was in France as he did not die of wounds but instantly from being shot. To show that he had served his country with honour and dedication, he was listed on the 59th Australian Memorial Roll of Honour. It is also known that Joseph is located in the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial Cemetery. 

Brother of 2704 Pte. Lloyd Leonard Mahoney (/explore/people/183419), 10th Battalion, died on 28 July 1916 of wounds received in action in France.

"...2649 Sergeant Joseph David Mahoney, 10th Battalion, of Fulham, SA. A gardener prior to enlisting in April 1915, Mahoney embarked from Adelaide with the 8th Reinforcements on board HMAT Anchises (A68) on 2 September 1915. He was promoted to Corporal in October 1916 and Sergeant in March 1917. Sgt Mahoney was killed in action in France on 6 April 1917. He was 24 years of age..." - SOURCE (www.awm.gov.au)

Joseph was born in Fulham, South Australia, to Michael and Alma Mahoney. A gardener, he was also a serving member of the Civilian Military Forces 78th Battalion, holding the rank of Sergeant. 

On April 19, 1915, with the written permission of his father, Joseph enlisted at the Keswick recruiting office, with the 10th Battalion, 8th Reinforcements, one of many young men who volunteered throughout WW1.

Embarking for war in September the same year, Sergeant Mahoney disembarked at Alexandria, Egypt four days after Christmas, 1915. Australian troops were sent to Egypt to train for trench warfare. The first contingent were sent to Gallipoli, or service in Egypt and Palestine, while those who arrived later, were often sent to the Western Front.

On the March 27, 1916 Joseph was sent to France, a six day voyage, arriving in Marseilles on April 3. The 10th Battalion would be involved with "bitter trench warfare", in the Somme, and  like many of his comrades Joseph was injured, suffering a gunshot wound (GSW) at Pozieres, on July 27, 1916. Admitted to the 13th General Hospital at Boulogne, he received medical care before being discharged on August 7.

Sergeant Mahoney's family was notified of his wounding - such information were usually sent as a short pro-forma page, which included scant information, other than confirmation of the incident and an address for mail to be sent. As can be seen from a letter sent by his mother, to a Major Lean, Alma was concerned by such lack of detail, asking ". . . .What Part of the body the Wounds are (sic) . . . where he is likely to be . . . "

Upon discharge, Joseph returned to duty and rejoined his battalion, now stationed in Ypres, Flanders (Belgium). He was promoted to Lance Corporal on September 22, and a month later, to Corporal.

Trench warfare contributed to many ailments which affected the soldiers involved, one being Trench Foot, which causes the feet to swell and begin to decay. This medical condition was usually caused by exposure to damp and cold conditions and the restriction of blood circulation. In efforts to reduce this disease, soldiers were encouraged to wash their feet and change into dry socks regularly, with regular foot inspections being carried out. Sergeant Mahoney was one of many to suffer from this ailment , and in mid November 1916 he was sent to hospital for treatment. Six days after admission, he returned to his battalion, once again stationed in the Somme, France.

In January 1917, Joseph was promoted to Sergeant, with the 10th Battalion later involved in action at Lourverval, France on April 8 and 9. Sadly, Sergeant Mahoney was one of those killed on April 8, 1917, his body was never recovered.

Awarded a 1914-1915 Star, a British War Medal and a Victory Medal posthumously, his father Michael signed a receipt acknowledging the latter's arrival, almost six years after his son's death.

2649 Sergeant J.D. Mahoney is remembered at the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, in the Somme Valley, one of more than 10,000 Australians who died in France during the First World War but have no known grave.